Fireworks explode over the Dunedin Chinese Garden in celebration of the Year of the Dragon.
Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull awakens the lion by painting an eye, asssisted by Summer Zhang.
Leading the dragon dance are Lei Zhou and Wei Zhang, both of Dunedin.
About 250 people braved last night's inclement weather in Dunedin to celebrate the eve of the Chinese New Year.
The Year of the Black Water Dragon lived up to its name, with organisers forced to cancel the parade from the Octagon because of wind and frequent showers.
Instead, revellers were welcomed to the start of the festivities with a dragon dance and a fire cracker display at the Dunedin Chinese Garden, about 7.30pm.
The crowd was entertained by Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and South American cultural groups.
Despite initial doubts due to the weather, fireworks rounded off the evening, at 10pm.
Photos by Stephen Jaquiery; prints available from otagoimages.co.nz.
