ABOUT

Asian Events Trust (AET) was established to provide a framework to bring the community together to deliver an annual celebration of the Lunar New Year in Wellington.

Lunar New Year celebrations have become a mainstay of Wellington’s events calendar, providing a platform for local community groups to showcase their talents and engage the wider community to experience and be enriched by a vibrant and diverse culture. Asian and non-Asian audiences can connect through an interest and desire to participate in the event, increasing exposure, awareness, understanding and acceptance of Lunar New Year traditions and celebrations.

The festival has created a strong sense of ownership from within the community, with Asian and non-Asian groups and organisations working together to showcase the cultural diversity of Wellington.

Over 3,500 volunteers contribute their time, skills and resources to produce a diverse and inclusive festival each year. Lunar New Year celebrations in Wellington are dynamic and colourful, making a vital contribution to a harmonious city, and exciting place to live. These volunteers are part of a community that is integral in the delivery of an “authentic” celebration of the Lunar New Year.

  • Our Objectives

    A large, high profile iconic event for Wellington to create a greater awareness and understanding of the significance of the Lunar New Year, and appreciation of Asian arts, culture and traditions.

  • Increase understanding of Lunar New Year tradition and provide opportunities for the wider community to engage with the Asian arts and culture.

  • Enliven our streets, places and spaces with enriching arts and cultural experiences to increase understanding of Asian culture by the wider community.

  • Create pride within the Asian community for their culture and engage youth, creating a pathway for Asian New Zealanders to become actively involved in preserving their cultural heritage.

Our People

The festival organisers are the trustees, and produce the event outside of their paid employment. 

Linda Lim is an experienced Communications, Relationships and Events manager who has run many successful events outside of the Chinese New Year Festival in roles with Dance Aotearoa New Zealand and Victim Support. She is a founding Trustee, Chairperson of AET and the Programme Director for the Festival and is currently the Communications and Engagement Lead for the New Zealand Productivity Commission Te Komihana Whai Hua o Aotearoa.

Contact Linda on linda@asianeventstrust.co.nz for enquiries relating to sponsorship, community liaison, media and publicity.

Rita Tom is a qualified Chartered Accountant who has wide experience in audit, management and financial reporting. She is a Trustee and Accountant for the Trust and Finance Director for the Festival.

Contact Rita on rita@asianeventstrust.co.nz for enquiries relating to funding and finances. 

Linda and Rita are supported by Trustee Advisors to oversee the direction of the festival and provide any assistance from within their areas of expertise.