The recent long weekend passed under the tension of the approaching TAM storm and thunderstorm warnings. Only on Saturday, 19 April, the weather gave a favor, gifting us with a rare half-day of sunshine and breeze—just enough to ensure the smooth running of the 2025 Daren Culture Event. The saying “timing, favorable location, and harmonious humanity” originally refers to the three key elements of success in battle. Among them, “harmonious humanity” reflects the will of the people and the collective spiritual power, which particularly plays a decisive role in such a multicultural event. Let’s now revisit some of the fascinating highlights from this memorable event.
1. Māori Cultural Performance Welcomes the Guests
Teachers from PUKEKOHE NORTH SCHOOL led 30 young Māori performers, gathering them early in the morning during their school holiday. Over ten parents drove for an hour on the highway to bring their children to the venue. The youth lined up at the entrance of Mt Eden War Memorial Hall and broke into resonating chorus, drawing the attention of nearby people. The thunderous rhythm of the haka war dance set the stage roaring, marking a vibrant opening for the Daren Cultural Event. It was their first time participating in this event, yet their strong sense of organization and strong spirit made an outstanding impression.
2. Opening Speech by the President of the Daren Life Society
The President of the Daren Life Society delivered an opening address, introducing the event’s highlights. Over the years, the Society has built and operated the “Daren Mutual Help Platform”, spread humanity warmth through weekend markets, community mutual assistance, spring fairs at the showgrounds, and other events. The Daren Cultural Event offers a stage for showcasing and integrating diverse cultures, and the unfolding “Daren Conversations” will further extend into society, integrating the strength of insightful minds. The President expressed heartfelt gratitude to all societal sectors for their support and increasing engagement.
3. Joyee Hanfu Chinese Dance Group Takes the Stage
Founded in 2020, the dance group is dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese culture. Clothed in hanfu and speaking through the language of dance, they blend the grace of physical form with the depth of emotional expression. This marks their third consecutive year performing at the Daren Culture Event. This time, they presented four meticulously choreographed pieces—Longing from Afar, Butterfly Transformation, Beauties Adorn with Blossoms, and Mandarin Ducks at Play. Each dance was steeped in poetic elegance, with flowing movements that captivated the audience. Notably, Butterfly Transformation was performed by Helena, a world-class champion in both dance and modeling competitions. Her dazzling performance drew resounding applause from the crowd.
4. Auckland Chinese Family Network (ACFN)
A special thanks goes to Mr. Ben from the Auckland Chinese Family Network (ACFN). In March, he had just successfully organized the New Zealand Chinese Children’s Festival. Not only did he participate in the event and present a children’s Chinese poetry recital program, but also recommended several children’s arts and cultural training institutions to join in. As a result, the Daren stage this year featured a variety of vibrant performances by young children—some lively and spirited, others adorably awkward—making the parents and elder friends beam with joy and delight.
5. Big Little Fun Club
Big Little Fun Club participated enthusiastically with both a booth and program contributions. Nine energetic young dancers brought cheer with their lively number Good Fortune Is Coming. Elisa’s cello performance and Iris Qian’s Pipa play showcased their mastery of the traditional instrument at such a young age. Later in the afternoon, Jamie and Martin lit up the stage with a dynamic electric guitar duet, while Jessie Dong’s solo piece, Wukong Theme, reimagined Eastern melodies with electric sound, to striking and surprising effect.
6. Onehunga Chinese Association Dance Team
A pride of the local Chinese community, the Onehunga Chinese Association Dance Team brought 20 performers to the stage. Through the fiery passion of Tibetan dance and the wild freedom of Mongolian movement, they expressed a timeless vitality of art honed through years of dedication.
7. Angel Dance Troupe
As soon as our event poster was released, the Angel Dance Troupe enthusiastically applied to join. Their performances were stunning in both choreography and expression: Umbrella Dance paid tribute to the valor of ancient warriors, while Wine of the Frontier celebrated the bravery and honor of young soldiers. Both pieces left a deep emotional impact on the audience.
8. A Meeting with the Founder of Daren
A major highlight of this year’s Event was the rare opportunity to meet the founder of Daren in person. For the first time, Mr. Zheng LIU publicly announced the new goals of Daren—something only achievable after 18 years of effort and completing the goal of becoming fully human in the first major stage. Mr. Liu solemnly declared 2025 as a pivotal year, a moment of transition from the past to the future. In the next 18 years, Daren will strive to help every individual in society walk the path to become fully human, uplifting every facet of society to achieve full humanity as a whole.
During the dialogue session with the audience, Mr. Liu answered questions on topics such as developing spiritual power and promoting health through Daren, the relationship between Daren and religion, and how one can participate. The discussion sparked curiosity, reflection, and anticipation. A full transcript of the announcement and conversation has been published on the HHP Society’s website for access:
🔗 https://hhpworld.org/announcement_cn/
9. Daren Gubai Ceremony: Connecting Heaven, Earth, and Humanity
One of the core rituals of the Daren Culture Event each year is the Daren Gu Bai ceremony. Rooted in the principle of “Human is Paramount”, this modern cultural rite honors humanity and revers ancestors, harmonizing heaven and earth. The ceremony guides participants into a solemn and humane atmosphere where they revere Heaven, Earth and Humanity with devotion, expressing nostalgia and reverence for Heaven, Earth, ancestors and kin.
The Daren Gubai is not a religious rite or traditional ancestral worship. Rather, it is a humanistic ceremony through the spiritual force of humanity to connect with the heavens, earth, deities, and people. It transcends race, belief, or political stance, offering anyone the chance to experience this cultural ritual of humanity.
10. Passionate Traditional Persian Dance
Adding to the Event’s diversity, Iranian dancer Ms. Mouzhgan introduced traditional dances of ancient Persia. Drawing from the northwestern Turkish-speaking TORKI traditions and the exuberant southern BANDARI styles of Iran, her performances were not only full of energy but also deeply engaging and interactive. Four of her fellow performers also participated in the Daren Gubai ceremony, expressing their heartfelt recognition of Daren culture that bridge the gap of language.
11. Moonlight Music School Electric Band
The afternoon stage was set ablaze by the electric band performances from Moonlight Music School. Representing the school’s modern music program, two bands took to the stage—one composed of children with an average age of just 11, and the other a youth band averaging 15 years old. These passionate young musicians delivered six electrifying songs in a row, capturing the audience to immerse in the magic power of their rhythm and energy. The crowd was swept up in the music, dancing along and turning the venue into a joyous sea of movement!
12. Harmonies of Cloud – All-Male Street Vocal Ensemble
Harmonies of Cloud is a vibrant all-male street singing group, and through their pure voice, they performed classic songs such as the Cantonese ballad Crescent Serenade, Never Enough, and I’m Yours. Even though one of the three members was absent, their voices still conveyed powerful emotion and high professional quality.
One of the standout members, Rikun, is also a seasoned guqin player. He played the ancient piece Return to Simplicity and sang the elegant Spring Has Flowers, Autumn Has the Moon accompanied with Guqin performance, allowing the audience to taste the profound and poetic realm of Guqin.
13. JSW Dance Academy Performance Highlights
JSW Dance Academy, a professional training institute, brought a vibrant collection of dances that filled the youth dance gap in the program. One set featured C-POP fusion dances like Grain in Ear, Seeking Flowers by Candlelight, and Main Love Song, while another group brought high-energy K-POP choreographies like Attention and Whiplash. Each performance ignited the crowd, with dancers and audience members moving in unison——what a celebration of youth and vitality!
Now, A Special Thanks to the Generous Exhibitors and Volunteers
While the three-hour performance program dazzled on stage, the cultural exhibits at each booth thrived in parallel. During the preparation phase, applications to participate far exceeded the venue’s capacity. In the end, booth sizes had to be reduced to accommodate more participants, with the venue fully packed.
A considerable number of volunteers signed up to participate in the Daren culture event. On the day, they transformed into ambassadors of Daren culture, moving throughout the venue and offering various forms of support and service to the best of their ability. Our sincere thanks once again!
14. Auckland Council – Proactive Animal Management
The team overcame many challenges to bring small animals to the event, which drew the attention and delight of children. The organization guided and educated people on how to treat animals kindly and how to train them, encouraging respectful and responsible pet ownership!
After the event, they wrote us a letter and said: “It was lovely to meet you and learn more about your organization – Daren Culture. We were pleased to see so many people visiting our booth, seeking information on pet care, dog ownership, and safety. Thank you for the opportunity and invitation. If you need any further assistance or information for future community activities, Auckland Council would be happy to help.”
15. HL Shadow Puppets NZ
The New Zealand Shadow Puppet Troupe was invited to participate in the event. Their director was interviewed and expressed: “We’ve been promoting traditional Chinese culture in New Zealand for nine years now, performing in schools, kindergartens, rest homes, and libraries. This was our first time at a Daren event. The whole atmosphere was lively and festive, and we saw lots of new faces. It was a fantastic opportunity to promote Chinese culture.”
16. Pronto Coffee
Pronto Coffee, affectionately known in our community as the “Coffee Heroine” for her beauty and kind heart, is an old friend of the Daren Life Society. She fully embraces the philosophy of putting humanity first. She prepared everything a day in advance—from machines to equipment—and during the event, she provided free coffee for Daren volunteers. Her warm service was deeply appreciated.
She shared her feeling: “I really love your ideology—what you said about humanity, community and mutual support. We’re so grateful to be part of this event.”
17. Costco NZ
As a large member-based retail store, Costco showed that even commercial services can center around people—when they do, material abundance and quality service naturally follow. The team, led by a courteous and thoughtful manager, communicated happily with the Daren staff. They brought exclusive discounts for memberships and left a positive impression on everyone.
More participating organizations and volunteers will be featured and highlighted below.
18. Xiao Jiu from Joyee Hanfu Dance Group: “We participate every year, usually preparing four to five performances. We specialize in both Hanfu and classical Chinese dance. We want more people to see how beautiful it is to wear traditional Chinese garments while performing. Every year, the event is organized in such an orderly way. It always feels good, and everyone from Daren is just so nice.”
19. Miss Zhang from Yuchuan Tea was interviewed:
“We work with tea culture, incense, and elegant utensils. Tea helps me connect with friends—we can sit and talk quietly. It’s a beautiful lifestyle. We’ve been doing this for over two years and have now joined Daren events twice, thanks to a friend’s recommendation. Daren Culture is a people-centered, supportive, and loving public-interest group. Everything this year—from transportation and venue to the stage and large LED screen—felt excellent.”
20. Vicky the Sugar Art Artist was interviewed:
“Sugar painting comes from Sichuan, China. With just one ladle of syrup, you can create a picture that children can hold, enjoy, and remember forever. It’s now listed as a part of China’s intangible cultural heritage. What we do isn’t inherently about making money—it’s about preserving culture, so that Chinese people overseas will not forget them. That’s why groups like Daren Culture are so important. They give us the platform to share and keep traditions alive.”
21. Moonlight Music School: “I feel excellent! We had a great collaboration. The staff were easy to communicate with, and the sound engineer really brought life to the performance.”
22. Angel Dance Group: “The event was a great success. Thank you for all your hard work!”
23. Onehunga Chinese Association Dance Group: “The event was a great success, and everyone had a pleasant time. Looking forward to further collaboration!”
24. Big Little Fun Club: “I feel Daren Life Society has its own distinct philosophy. The facilities were all great! There were so many people—maybe a bigger venue next time. Thank Daren Life Society for giving our kids the chance to perform!”
25. Evergreen Natural Health Epsom Clinic – TCM Free Clinic: “The event was a big success. Your event was well organized and ordered, showing high professionalism.”
26. Angela Hsieh Handmade Crafts: “I’ve joined every year. The vibe of the whole venue feels great!”
27. Brother Gang from NZ Wine Club: “We’ve been running a wine club for over a decade. Wine is a healthy beverage—an interaction between people and nature. Grapes come from nature, refined by human hands into wine. In drinking it, people are integrated with nature — which I feel very beautiful. This was our first time joining a Daren event, and it was so well organized. The program was rich and engaging for all ages. From sugar painting and face painting to calligraphy and shadow puppetry—plus singing and dancing—it really felt like a joyful Chinese New Year celebration!”
28. Volunteer Teresa Jin (Huarong Credit): During the pre-event planning, Teresa helped the Daren team source performers and actively served as a translator to facilitate communication.
29. Volunteer Merry: Sheis a long-time community supporter, known for her volunteer haircuts. On event day, she arrived before 9 a.m. and quietly helped at the food culture booth until 3 p.m.
30. Volunteer Rex (Age 15) stepped up as an interpreter during peak times at the gourmet culture booth.
31. Volunteer Charlotte: “I volunteered as a stage assistant at the Daren event and got swept up in a heartwarming, joyful, and meaningful cultural celebration. It was truly wonderful—can’t wait for the next one!”
32. Volunteer Judy: “The event was a success. Though the venue was smaller than last year, it was packed with energy. The program was rich and an integration of East and West.”
33. Volunteer Luna: “If Daren Life Society needs any help for future events, just let me know.”
34. Lorena Handicraft Art Studio: “Thank you so much for all your efforts and for providing this meaningful platform. It allowed me to showcase my work and connect with many friends. I gained so much today—looking forward to the next gathering!”
35. Robert Goijarts, Public Relations Head of World Peace Alliance (NZ): “It felt really positive and joyful. Everyone was so willing to help—that’s wonderful.”
A Few Final Words of Gratitude and Prospect
The Daren Life Society has long been quietly engaged in acts of mutual help throughout the community—so quietly, in fact, that many have struggled to imagine, or even understand, what kind of strength sustains Daren’s volunteers. This time, the founder of Daren, carrying the confidence and inner strength forged over 18 years of exploration and dedication, has announced new goals of Daren, looking forward to walking together with people of vision toward achieving full humanity in the next 18 years.
Now, people understand: Our Daren life society has been walking toward becoming fully human by living out the principle of “Human is Paramount” in everyday lives. We just do what we are capable of, originated in our inner spiritual power that naturally leads to our actions. On the stage of Daren Culture, all kinds of culture, commercial services, and artistic performances serve humanity. This is the most humane culture we hope to bring to society.
Again, we are deeply grateful to all the organizations and volunteers who share and support the belief in “Human Is Paramount” and have joined the Daren cause. We also hope that the radiant light of humanity emitted from Daren will continue to shine ever farther and brighter, reaching more people and bringing a more humane, luminous future to all. According to the new goals proclaimed by our founder, we now embark together on a brand-new journey toward a society of human nature.
