Jittiporn Jitnarong, a waitress at the Grass Hopper restaurant, gets a dousing with colleagues yesterday. Photo / Richard Robinson
Auckland's Thai community will be splashing out when they gather tomorrow to celebrate Songkran - the Thai New Year.
"Greeting with water is our way of washing away all the bad things of last year, and wishing each other a good, new life in the new year," said
Auckland-based Thai monk Phramaha Chaovana Ngamsangguanprapa.
"While we splash water on friends, it is poured over the palms of elders respectfully as a way of asking them for forgiveness for all our wrongdoings in the past year."
About 3000 people are expected at the Mt Albert War Memorial Hall.
After the bathing of the Buddha, they will then pour water over the hands of monks and elders before embarking on an all-out water fight.
The water festival is celebrated for up to 10 days in some districts of Thailand. Water dousing commonly takes place in the streets nationwide.
Thai community leader Maneeka Campbell said organisers would like to bring Songkran to Queen St next year.
Tomorrow's festival will include cultural performances, a food fair and Thai craft demonstrations.
GET WET
WHAT: Songkran, the Thai New Year celebration
WHERE: Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, New North Rd, St Lukes
WHEN: Tomorrow, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Free
ALL WELCOME TO JOIN THE FUN ON KOREAN DAY
Describing it as a day "to give Koreans a reason to celebrate", Korean community leader Kenny Jeong expects at least 5000 of his countrymen and women to be at the Korean Day celebrations on Auckland's North Shore today.
Most of the 25,000 Koreans in New Zealand live in North Shore City.
"This is a unique day for Koreans in New Zealand, for them to gather as a family and to share our culture with other New Zealanders," said Mr Jeong, who is director of the Korean Society.
Now in its 15th year, the free annual event is being held at the North Shore Events Centre, and will include Korean performances, a food fair and a martial arts demonstration.
The theme for this year is "open society, people in harmony".
