Whether it was to chase the gold rush, to set up a market garden, or to share their love of Chinese cuisine, the ancestors of Aotearoa New Zealand's Chinese population brought with them their skills and their heritage in the hopes of building a better tomorrow. The Lunar New Year is an exciting time for new prospects for many nations including China, and is celebrated widely across Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of Chinese New Year starts with Jade Emperor, who created the Zodiac calendar, a 12-year cycle to help track the passage of time. The Horse was chosen to represent the seventh year in the Zodiac after it placed seventh in the Jade Emperor’s great race. It’s said that the horse was about to come in sixth but was sabotaged by the snake who spooked it by sliding under its hoof and finishing ahead of its opponent. © 2026 NZ Post. All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.