Following the success of the Auckland leg (see below), the Chinese Lantern Festival now moves south to Christchurch’s Victoria Square this weekend, 6 and 7 March. We've just announced the programme. Beijing group Hanggai will certainly be one of the big highlights in Christchurch. They play with a host of other performers from mainland China as well as local Chinese groups. View media release and keep up to date through our Festival webpage, Twitter feed and Facebook page .

Thanks to all those who came along in record numbers to participate in the celebrations. Some 240,000 Aucklanders were wowed by a leading Shanghai music ensemble, Mongolian throat singers, rolling lantern folk dancers from South China as well as lantern making masters and other artists. Take in the atmosphere of the weekend through our slideshow of the festival. We've also separate image galleries of the performers and lanterns.

In our latest Action Asia Insights article, Matt Roy and Margaret Joiner outline how Chinese demand has played a key role in helping New Zealand climb out of recession. "As New Zealand’s exports are diverted towards China and countries that depend on it for trade, the health of Asia’s dragon economy seems likely to play an increasing key role in New Zealand’s economic wellbeing," they explain.

Asia:NZ’s knowledge and research programme is pleased to announce its collaboration with the New Zealand Asian Studies Society through a joint postgraduate research award. “Asia:NZ is proud to work with the New Zealand Asian Studies Society in this way,” our research director Dr Andrew Butcher explains. Read more about the initiative and apply for funding.

A seminar, entited "Educating for Asia: Are we ready", takes place at the Royal Society in Thorndon on 19 March. The discussion, aimed at teachers and principals, will be led by the Foundation's education director Vanessa Lee. Read about a similar breakfast meeting held in Christchurch on 16 February. Register here for the Wellington seminar. The events are organised by CORE.

Asia:NZ Young Leader Alexandra-Jayeun Lee was recently involved in the organisation of two Auckland events staged by Architecture for Humanity to raise money for Haiti. Haiti was struck by a major earthquake in January 2010 with a toll of over 230,000 lives. Alex points out that the organisation has been working in Haiti for a number of years prior to the earthquake.