Photo: Gregor RichardsonPreparations for the Chinese New Year celebrations in Dunedin tonight are well under way. As the Year of the Rat begins, festivities to mark the occasion get under way at the Dunedin Chinese Garden at 6.30pm. Dunedin City Councillor David Benson-Pope would speak on behalf of the city and the Chinese Consulate Deputy General is travelling from Christchurch to speak. Dunedin City Council community events advisor (cultural) Vicky Lenihan said she was expecting about 8000 people would attend tonight, about the same number as last year. ‘‘It’s the community that drives this event, the city rally values its Chinese families and their long history in Otago, as well as Shanghai being our sister city.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 24, 2020 23:26 UTC