Whanganui marked Chinese new year on Friday night with its first ever lantern festival.
The event was organised by Jan McLeod, of the NZ-China Friendship Society, with some help from tertiary education provider UCOL, and it drew a big crowd.
Tai chi swords, costumes, dance, tasty Chinese treats - such as sweet dumplings - and, of course, plenty of lanterns were on show by the Whanganui River as people thronged to Moutoa Quay by the i-Site office.
Ms McLeod said it was a chance for the River City got to absorb a litle bit of Chinese culture, and she hopes to expand the event next year with a Chinese dragon boat paddling on the river.
Friday night's lantern celebration traditionally marks the last day of Chinese New Year, which this year began on Friday, February 16.