Whanganui Chinese New Year celebration postponed

Whanganui's Chinese New Year celebration has been postponed due to westerly winds and rain forecast for Friday.

The lantern festival is a partnership between UCOL Whanganui and New Zealand China Friendship Society and was held for the first time last year.

Now rescheduled for Friday, March 1, Lanterns on the Awa is a celebration of the lunar new year which began on February 5.

Whanganui's New Zealand China Friendship Society organiser Jan McLeod has partnered with UCOL campus manager Bronwyn Paul to facilitate the event.

"Last year's event was very successful and a friend in China has once again sent many beautiful lanterns for this year," said McLeod.

"Once again there will be delicious dumplings as well as music and dancing."

There will also be workshops for making fans, masks and lanterns which can be hung on trees along the banks of the Whanganui River.

In the Chinese zodiac, 2019 is the Year of the Pig which is believed to be an auspicious year because the pig attracts success in all the spheres of life.

Fine weather is forecast for Whanganui on March 1 when Lanterns on the Awa is scheduled to begin at 7.30pm on Moutoa Quay.