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**Whole fish** for abundance (leave some for "surplus" in the year ahead) **Dumplings** shaped like ancient money for wealth **Long noodles** for long life — don't cut them! **Spring rolls** for prosperity **Mandarins and oranges** for good fortune
Red lanterns and paper cuttings Couplets or blessings by the door Red and gold table settings Fresh flowers such as orchids or peach blossom
Lunar New Year Reunion Dinner: A Hosting Guide
Plan a Lunar New Year reunion dinner — lucky dishes, décor, red envelopes and celebrating in NZ.
Lunar New Year falls between late January and mid-February — summer in NZ. It's celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other communities, each with their own traditions.
Lucky dishes
Décor
Red envelopes
Elders and married couples traditionally give red envelopes to children and unmarried younger relatives. Use new notes and avoid amounts with the number four.
Summer twist
With warm weather, you can take dumpling-making outside, set up a long table in the garden, and add cold noodle salads and fruit platters.
Community celebrations
Many NZ cities host lantern festivals and lion dances around Lunar New Year — check your council's events page.