Shenzhen choir brings Mid-Autumn music to New Zealand, Fiji

The Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau organized the Shenzhen Star Bright Choir’s tour of the South Pacific earlier this week, where the choir performed three “Mid-Autumn Festival: A Moonment to Remember” concerts in Palmerston North and Wellington, New Zealand, and Suva, Fiji. 

Their voices carried across the ocean, offering local residents and overseas Chinese communities a festive feast of music and art while building a bridge of friendship through song.

The Shenzhen Star Bright Choir performs at Palmerston North Boys’ High School in New Zealand on Sept. 22. Photos courtesy of the organizers

On the evening of Sept. 22, the theater at Palmerston North Boys’ High School was packed with choir enthusiasts, students, members of the overseas Chinese community and local residents. 

Mayor Grant Smith, Massey University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pierre Venter, and Counselor Tang Jun, who oversees education, science and technology, and cultural affairs at the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, attended the concert and expressed their support for China-New Zealand cultural exchanges.

Counselor Tang Jun, who oversees education, science and technology, and cultural affairs at the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand.

Mayor Smith warmly welcomed the Shenzhen troupe, saying that the concert had built a wonderful cultural bridge. He expressed hope that the two sides would deepen future exchanges in culture, education and youth development.

Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith

Massey University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pierre Venter

The local Manawatu Overtones choir joined the Shenzhen Star Bright Choir in opening the concert with a classic Māori folk song. Star Bright then performed a selection of Mid-Autumn-themed Chinese works alongside international choral pieces, showcasing the richness of different cultures and prompting repeated calls for encores.

Xu Tong, director of the China Cultural Centre in Wellington, said Shenzhen had transformed from a small fishing village into a modern international city. Xu noted that the choir’s visit showcased the open and vibrant spirit of Shenzhen’s young artists and expressed hope that the concert would further strengthen people-to-people ties between China and New Zealand.

Chinese and New Zealand artists perform together at Palmerston North Boys’ High School in New Zealand on Sept. 22.

The second concert was held on the evening of Sept. 23 at Wellington’s century-old, 1,400-seat Opera House, which was filled to capacity. Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said at the event that cultural exchanges between the two countries were flourishing. He added that the joint performance by the Shenzhen Star Bright Choir and Māori artists would further strengthen the friendship between China and New Zealand.

The Shenzhen Star Bright Choir performs in Wellington, New Zealand, on Sept. 23.

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong

Chinese and New Zealand artists perform together in Wellington on Sept. 23.

Renowned Māori singer Caii Michelle joined Star Bright to perform Māori classics and sang “The Moon Represents My Heart” in Chinese, blending Mid-Autumn traditions with Māori culture. After the concert, Ambassador Wang praised the troupe’s artistry, while New Zealand artists described the collaboration as unforgettable.

Māori singer Caii Michelle

Wellington’s 1,400-seat Opera House is filled to capacity.

On Sept. 25, Mid-Autumn Day, the third concert was held at Suva City Council in Fiji, featuring the local Primanavia choir. Star Bright performed several Chinese songs, including one jointly performed with three Fijian children, who became one of the highlights of the evening. Primanavia, a gold medalist at the 2024 World Choir Games, then performed traditional Fijian songs.

The Shenzhen Star Bright Choir performs in Suva, Fiji on Sept. 25.

Fijian children perform with the Shenzhen Star Bright Choir.

Fijian singers perform at the Sept. 25 concert.

Chargé d’affaires a.i. Wang Yuan of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji praised the concert, saying that Chinese and Fijian vocal arts resonated with each other and built a bridge between the two peoples.

Chargé d’affaires a.i. Wang Yuan of the Chinese Embassy in Fiji 

Sipiriano Nemani, Fiji’s director of cultural heritage and arts bureau, noted that the values of reunion associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival resonated with Fijian community culture. He expressed hope for broader cooperation in the future.

Sipiriano Nemani, Fiji’s director of cultural heritage and arts bureau

“A Moonment to Remember” is a national cultural exchange brand under the China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. During the South Pacific tour, choral music was used to share China’s story and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, with all three concerts featuring joint performances by Chinese and local artists.

An official with the Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau said the tour used art as a bridge to send Mid-Autumn blessings to the South Pacific. Shenzhen will continue promoting Chinese culture overseas and showcasing a true, multidimensional China.

Audience members turn on their phone flashlights, creating a sea of stars to interact with the performers onstage during the Sept. 25 concert in Fiji.