(Minghui.org) “It is a special honor to celebrate this meaningful occasion with our community today,” said Wendy Cao Akarana Rewi, the adopted daughter of a Māori chief, during the World Falun Dafa Day celebration.
Practitioners held a celebration in Commercial Bay, Auckland, on May 9, 2026, and many people stopped to take in the performances by the Tian Guo Marching Band, waist drum team, and dragon dance team.
Practitioners doing the Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) exercises in Commercial Bay, Auckland, on May 9 (Minghui.org)
The Tian Guo Marching Band (Minghui.org)
The waist drum team (Minghui.org)
People stopped to watch and take photos of the dragon dance. (Minghui.org)
Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises. (Minghui.org)
A passerby signs a petition calling for an end to the Chinese regime’s persecution of Falun Dafa. (Minghui.org)
A spectator takes photo of practitioners demonstrating the exercises. (Minghui.org)
People learning the Falun Dafa exercises (Minghui.org)
Officials Mark World Falun Dafa Day
Wendy Cao Akarana Rewi addressed the rally. (Minghui.org)
Wendy Cao Akarana Rewi helped organize the celebration and spoke at the rally, thanking everyone for coming.
(From left) Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, and Green Party MP Marama Davidson sent messages of support and good wishes. (Minghui.org)
Wendy Cao Akarana Rewi said messages of support and best wishes were received from Mr. Wayne Brow, the Mayor of Auckland, and New Zealand political leaders, including the offices of Mr. David Seymour, Deputy Prime Minister; Mr. Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Ms. Marama Davidson, Green Party MP.
Ms. Freya Cooke, Private Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, expressed her personal support and extended best wishes for the event. Wendy Cao Akarana Rewi expressed her sincere appreciation for their kind words of encouragement and support.
Renowned Human Rights Lawyer Praises Falun Dafa
Kerry Gore addressed the event. (Minghui.org)
Human rights lawyer Kerry Gore spoke about Falun Dafa, noting that is a cultivation practice of mind, body, and spirit in which its practitioners cultivate in accordance with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Many people who have taken up the practice have seen their health improve. Some even found themselves free from terminal illnesses, while others experienced greater peace of mind.
Mr. Gore said, “The moral principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are beneficial for Falun Dafa practitioners. They are good for those who do not practice Falun Dafa and good for society as a whole. It is these moral principles that have helped Falun Dafa practitioners in China endure the 26-year-long persecution inflicted upon them by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). If they can help Falun Dafa practitioners endure and, in some cases, flourish in an environment like that, then they must surely have something to recommend for us in a society such as ours.”
Democracy Advocate: The Power of Belief Is Great and Eternal
Mr. Johnson addressed the event. (Minghui.org)
Democracy advocate Mr. Johnson said he has seen practitioners in many different locations in Auckland: “You are sincere, kind, and courteous; you are calm, gentle, and steadfast. It was only after traveling outside China that we realized—for the first time—that the eyes can truly speak, revealing the love and kindness residing deep within a person’s heart. The realm of cultivation and the spiritual attainment you have reached inspire a profound reverence.
“Falun Dafa spreads and promotes Chinese culture, encouraging people to be sincere, kind, and tolerant. Such a civilized group is being defamed and persecuted by the CCP, because the Party knows that the power of the collective is invincible—and the power of faith scares them. How magnificent is the power of faith! It is eternal; it will never yield. Faith only grows and strengthens amid trials.”
Magazine Editor-in-Chief Commends Falun Gong
Chen Weijian at the event in Commercial Bay on May 9 (Minghui.org)
Chen Weijian, Chinese writer and editor-in-chief of Beijing Spring, attended the event to offer his support. He said it was not easy for Falun Dafa practitioners because they also promote morality, and the moral standards in China have dropped significantly. However, the existence of a group like Falun Dafa—which promotes traditional Chinese culture and emphasizes human beings’ fundamental moral conscience—is truly invaluable.
He said that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the moral foundation for Chinese people. Practitioners should share Dafa with people all over the world, because this is the very foundation of Chinese culture.
He also commended Shen Yun for delivering Dafa’s message. Through their performances, Shen Yun enables people of other countries to discover the most precious and valuable elements of Chinese culture—Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
Falun Gong Lets the World See Hope
Li Ting (Minghui.org)
Li Ting said that, due to the CCP’s information censorship, he did not know much about Falun Gong when he was in China and was not aware that so many people were persecuted. He became familiar with Falun Gong only after he came to New Zealand.
“I am touched and appreciate Master Li for teaching people to tell the truth and be kind. This is good for society. I thank Master for spreading such values all over the world.” he said.
Li marveled that practitioners have been raising awareness for 27 years, which was beyond his imagination. He said the anniversary was meaningful, because it was an opportunity for more people to learn about Falun Gong and the CCP’s persecution.
Qiang Jiangpeng, a member of the Chinese Democratic Party in New Zealand, said, “China is a country without faith. This is truly tragic. A nation without faith has no bottom line in its actions. The CCP believes in Marxism and power. In their eyes, common people are like ants.”
Qiang said Falun Gong is a peaceful group of people of faith. He said that almost no one can talk about Falun Gong openly in China. “If someone mentions Falun Gong on social media, his account will soon be closed.”
He said that sincerity, kindness, and inclusiveness were the most fundamental qualities of a human being.
The World Today Needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance
Mina and Mehdi at the event in Commercial Bay on May 9 (Minghui.org)
Mina and her husband Mehdi live in north Auckland. After watching the performances, Mina said, “It was truly spectacular—absolutely excellent. We loved it.”
Mina said she liked the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. “In today’s stressful world, people truly need this kind of practice to help regulate body and mind, manage emotions, and achieve a state of balance between their physical and inner selves.” The couple said this was something truly wonderful and beneficial for people in today’s world.
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