New Zealand PM, Governor-General attend Chinese New Year celebration

WELLINGTON, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Governor-General Anand Satyanand on Saturday attended the Chinese New Year celebration in Auckland and wished the Chinese community happy Chinese New Year.

Clark highly praised the Chinese community's great contribution to the New Zealand society and multi-cultural prosperity, adding that New Zealand and Chinese relations are very important and special.

She said Beijing will host the Olympic games this year and she is looking forward to China's wonderful demonstration of itself by then.

Satyanand also highly praised the hard-working Chinese community and their contribution to the New Zealand society.

Opposition National Party leader John Key, Auckland Mayor John Banks, Chinese Consulate-General to Auckland Ma Chongren also attended the Chinese New Year celebrations.