29/04/2026
2026 Daren Culture Event Recap (Part 4): Passion Gathers, Emotion Echoes
This year's Daren Culture Event were even more impressive than in previous years. The event's success was inseparable from the attention and support from all around the society. There were 24 performances, 34 stalls, and 54 volunteers on site; every participant left a wonderful mark on this event.
[Interview with the Performers]
Onehunga Chinese Association Dance Team
The dance "Call of the Sky" uses the bold and unrestrained body language of Tibetan dance to express the feelings between man and nature.
Jenny - "It's all about connecting with humanity and nature in various ways to express love among people."
Rose - "It is itself a harmonious call to heaven, earth, and nature."
Angel Dance Troupe
Lily - "I'm really happy. We participate in all the activities organized by Daren. We dance to make everyone happy, and we feel younger as we dance. Thank you to all the friends at Daren for their support and for giving us this opportunity."
Lily also stated that in order to participate in this event, they tried to choose dance and music styles that were popular with the general public. The dance troupe also participated in the Daren Culture Event last year, and this year's event was even better than last year's. They hope to hold the event frequently in the future, and that it will continue to improve!
Jiuyi Hanfu Classical Dance Troupe
"Hanfu and classical dance are amazing. We have participated in Daren Culture Event for three consecutive years, and each year is different and better than the last. The entire event is very well organized and we can feel that the volunteers of Daren Life Society are very dedicated in helping each other. It's excellent!"
Maori singer Page Graham
"Te Aroha is somewhat like a promotion of peace and harmony. You feel respect for ancestors during the ceremony, and the overall feeling is for life. So for me, Te Aroha fits this perfectly, and most importantly, it's about love. Respect for everyone's culture and beliefs. No one judges anyone because no one is superior to anyone else."
By participating in the event and visiting various Stalls, Page Graham believes that people are the most important thing, and it was people who put forward this idea.
He also spoke with reporters about the "DaZhan Code": "I think the 'DaZhan Code' is very, very good. It cleanses all bad behavior or negative things. Maintaining a positive mindset is key. It's good for everyone, and you can do good deeds every day."
K-WELL's KPOP Dance Team
"Very happy to participate in the Daren Culture event and have a platform to showcase ourselves."
Burundian Association
Aristide Niyongabo - "Burundi drums and the art of drumming are part of our culture. You may not know this, but Burundi drums have been listed as an international cultural heritage by UNESCO. When we drum, we really feel like we're coming home. Drums have profound meaning, and drumming is a very unique tradition. We participate in various cultural events. The Daren Culture Event is a great opportunity for many cultural performers to showcase their passion and gain recognition. Culture is like a bond that connects us with others."
Max, a member of the New Culture "DaZhan Code" performance team
"On stage, I felt a sense of righteousness and positive energy rising from within, which boosted my overall spirit. Our sense of responsibility towards ourselves, our families, and society also increased. We should create a humane and just environment for people, which I believe is what everyone wants."
He also talked about his experience of self-reflection through the "DaZhan Code", "When you reflect on yourself and awaken to yourself, you will find that your inner self becomes clearer and more distinct, and your sense of boundaries is more defined, which can clear up the chaotic environment inside and outside."
Volga Dance Studio
Yelena: "This was a fantastic event. I felt connected to something special. I loved the food, I loved the show, and I really enjoyed everything around us. It's such a great place."
Alex: "I think events like this are very important, especially for allowing different countries and people to exchange and share their cultures. The more we learn about other cultures, the easier it is for us to come together. New Zealand is a multicultural country. These events provide a great opportunity for people to learn from each other and showcase their own cultures."
Noopura Dance Academy
Midumi Lamahewage (New Zealand Miss Sri Lanka 2025): "It was a great honor to perform at this event. Our performance combined dance, singing and drumming, which was not only fun but also gave people a sense of pride while playing the drums."
[Stallholder Interview]
Women's health checkup institutions
Offering free health checkups at the event, they were surprised by the positive response at the Daren Culture Event. They provided free checkups for women aged 58 to 70 and could assist with booking follow-up services on-site.
Evergreen Traditional Chinese Medicine Free Clinic
Crevble provided free health consultation services to the public at the event.
"First of all, the atmosphere of the event is great. We provide free services to the citizens, so that everyone can feel our love and help them solve practical problems and physical ailments."
He also expressed his hope that the cultural spirit of unity and mutual assistance among Chinese people can continue to be passed down, and that the younger generation can better understand their cultural roots.
[Volunteer and Audience Voices]
Mr. Wu, a frequent participant in Daren Mutual Help activities, said: "Thanks for organizing this event. I wholeheartedly agree with the saying, 'Helping others achieve their goals and exchanging pleasantries.' friends here are all very friendly and kind, helping each other out. I hope that Chinese community organizations can organize more events like this, and I would be very happy to participate."
Lisa, an audience member, said: " The event was very enriching, and we benefited a lot from it. We hope there will be more events like this in the future, and we are willing to help promote it so that more people around us can experience this kind of charm."
Volunteer Wu Xuefen: "Serving Daren means serving people. 'People first' is our motto. We are happy to contribute our remaining energy to the event."
Volunteer Mary often helps people with haircuts at Daren Mutual Help stall. She said she is happy to help everyone take care of their appearance, just wanting to do something for others and have a grateful heart.
Volunteer Sally: "Helping others gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. If I don't know a skill, I can learn it by working with other volunteers, which is very rewarding. For me, volunteering is fulfilling because I genuinely enjoy the process. The core of Daren culture, 'People First,' is mutual help between people."
Xiaoxiao, a volunteer, expressed her desire to become a volunteer after participating in the Daren Mutual Help Comprehensive Activities Hub for the first time. This was also her first time participating in a Daren Culture Event. She sincerely said, "I feel very honored to join the Daren Community. Daren truly cares about people. Everyone here is selfless and gives their all."
A heartwarming incident occurred during the event. Volunteer Lilac helped a Chinese woman alter her pants, quickly resolving the problem. The woman was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed her gratitude. Lilac told her, "You don't need to keep saying thank you; it's just what I should do." Although they don't see each other often, they get along like family. During their meeting, they hugged each other, both very happy. Lilac said, "Daren Mutual Help is not for personal return. Since you trusted me and came to me specifically for this pants problem, it's only right that I do my best to help." The woman said that through this interaction, she gained a better understanding of Daren Community. If she didn't live so far away, she would definitely participate in the activities more often.
[Get closer to Daren through conversation and experience the charm of culture]
During the event, Mr. Liu Lei, president of the Daren Life Society , was interviewed and introduced the philosophy, significance, and future prospects of Daren culture.
He stated that the core concept of Daren Culture is very clear, which can be summarized in one sentence: "Human is paramount, putting people first."
The president stated that regardless of whether it's Eastern or Western culture, people should be respected and treated kindly; this is a shared foundation of values. Daren Culture hopes to foster more genuine and closer relationships between people in the context of rapid modern societal development.
He believes that in today's world, which has become "a village of the earth" with ever-shrinking physical distances, there is an even greater need for hearts to draw closer. Daren Culture advocates replacing conflict with dialogue, promoting mutual help through understanding, and making respect and tolerance a part of daily life.
Speaking about future development, the president stated that New Zealand's simple and inclusive culture provides fertile ground for the growth and development of Daren culture. He hopes that this philosophy can reach more cities around the world, including New York, Moscow, Paris, and Beijing, etc.
The president said, "We hope to show the world a group of people who put people first."
As the event drew to a close, people lingered at the stalls, chatting. Many brought new friends, and many stopped to enjoy the food and handmade crafts, continuing their connections amidst laughter and conversation.
Many people took photos at the scene and shared them on their social media platforms. Daren is becoming known to more and more people through word of mouth.
As the president said in his opening remarks at the event:
"The simplicity and kindness of human nature is the common foundation that transcends all differences and connects all people. It is also the meaning of the existence of the Daren Life Society."
In the future, Daren Culture Event will continue to expand the boundaries of cultural expression, allowing art, life, and conversation to continue to converge in a more open space, and enabling different civilizations to continuously grow closer through genuine interaction.
Looking forward to meeting everyone again at next year's Daren Culture Event and continuing to create wonderful memories!
![[Dragon Boat Festival Special Event] DIY Scented Sachet WorkshopThis month’s “Daren Life · Mutual Help Activity Hub” wil...](https://img5.ngos1.com/598/670/1295936775986700.jpg)
