Performed in a Chinese lion costume and accompanied by beating drums, gongs and cymbals, the dance is believed to bring luck and good fortune. With a rapidly growing Chinese population, Chinese New Year is growing in popularity here. The Epacs troupe will be involved in over 60 performances - from restaurants, hotels, suburban Chinese New Year events to the Auckland Lantern Festival. The lantern festival, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, is attended by about 200,000 people each year. This year the Auckland lantern festival will be held at the Domain from February 9 to 12.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 26, 2017 14:55 UTC