‘Amazing’ lanterns to light up new year

Dunedin City Council lantern logistics manager Bex Rowe admires a New Zealand Haast’s eagle landing on the back of a giant moa as a collection of extraordinary lanterns from China are unpacked. PHOTO: SAM HENDERSON

An extinct duo are one of thirteen intricate lanterns that will will form an illuminated display at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Gardens as part of the Dunedin Chinese Cultural Festival. Dunedin Chinese Cultural Advisory Committee chairman Malcolm Wong was impressed by the scale of the works.

"I didn’t know what to expect but now to see them, they are amazing."

Mr Wong was in particular struck by the scale of a dragon measuring about 6m in length planned to be installed at Lan Yuan.

"They are really ornate and quite well-manufactured."

Made of 100% satin and with LED lights inside, the lanterns are a blend of traditional Chinese figures and New Zealand wildlife such as penguins and a sea lion as well as the extinct duo.

"So that is nice for the whenua influence."

sam.henderson@thestar.co.nz