Celebrating Lunar New Year in New Zealand as an International Student

For many international students, this special time is an opportunity to reconnect with their own traditions, discover new cultures, and experience the warmth of a multicultural community.

For Otago alumna Kathy Zhang, who grew up in China, celebrating Lunar New Year in Aotearoa New Zealand felt both familiar and new. Welcoming the festival in the middle of a Kiwi summer instead of winter brought a softer, uplifting energy, and even though she was far from home, the feeling of togetherness remained strong.

As she settled into student life, Lunar New Year also became a moment for Kathy to check in with herself — a chance to reflect, reset, and reconnect with what matters most.

Those lessons continue to guide her even after graduation, with each new year serving as a reminder to slow down, be kinder to herself, and stay open to change.

In New Zealand, Kathy celebrates by combining the traditions she grew up with and the experiences she gained here. Every year she gathers with friends, sharing food and goals for the year ahead. "It wasn’t home, but it still felt like belonging” she reflect.

Fellow Chinese alumna, Isla Ye, from Victoria University in Wellington , also reflect on her experience of finding both familiarity and new connections during Lunar New Year in New Zealand.

Watch Isla’s story:

Kathy’s and Isla’s experiences reflect what many students discover while studying abroad in New Zealand. Celebrations like Lunar New Year can become a bridge between where they come from and who they are becoming. It’s a reminder that traditions can evolve in new places, gaining fresh meaning through the people and communities you celebrate with.

And for students across Aotearoa, there are plenty of ways to join in, connect with others, and experience the festival in a way that feels both familiar and new.

Celebrations take place in cities and towns across the country every year, with each region offering its own mix of performances, food, and community events.

Lunar New Year usually falls between late January and mid-February and, while it’s not a public holiday, it’s widely celebrated nationwide with vibrant community events every year.

Whether you’re gathering for a shared meal, attending a lantern festival, or simply reflecting on the year ahead, Lunar New Year in New Zealand offers space to celebrate, reset, and look forward with intention.