Whether or not you follow the Chinese Zodiac, it’s hard to miss that 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, rolling in with Lunar New Year on February 17. Traditionally a symbol of rapid change, fresh opportunities, personal growth, and a faster pace of life – qualities that feel especially relevant in a year that’s already shaping up to be anything but predictable.
For some, Lunar New Year is a deeply personal time, a chance to reconnect with family, honour ancestors, and reset intentions for the months ahead. For others, it’s a moment to explore cultural traditions, whether through food, fashion, or art.
To see how this symbolic year is being embraced today, we spoke with six women at the forefront of New Zealand’s creative scene to find out how they plan to celebrate and what Lunar New Year means to them.
Claudia Li, fashion designer
What does Lunar New Year mean to you?
Lunar New Year has always meant family to me. It’s a time to rest, return home if you can, and be surrounded by loved ones. No matter how busy life gets or how far apart we are, it’s a moment that recentres you.
What’s your favourite Lunar New Year memory?
My favourite memory is being at my grandparents’ house with the entire family gathered together. We’re usually scattered all over the world, so that rare moment when everyone was under one roof felt incredibly special. My grandma and grandpa were in the kitchen cooking an endless feast, and the house was filled with food, laughter, and joy. It was less about the celebration itself and more about simply being together and enjoying each other’s company.
How do you plan to celebrate this year?
I’ve been back in the US for a while now, and this year I’ll be spending Lunar New Year here, which makes it feel especially meaningful as I enter a new chapter of my life. My husband and I are creating a small celebration of our own. We’ll FaceTime our families overseas and cook the dishes our families traditionally make; a mix of Korean and Chinese Lunar New Year foods. We’re making tteokguk, galbijjim, danjuan, and nuomi wanzi. It’s a lot of work, but the process of cooking and preparing everything brings back so many warm memories. Even though we’re thousands of miles apart, it makes us feel spiritually close to our families.
Jess Molina, content creator
What does Lunar New Year mean to you?
What’s your favourite Lunar New Year memory?
How do you plan to celebrate this year?
Tiffany Low, restaurateur
What does Lunar New Year mean to you?
Lunar New Year is a special time for me to spend quality time with my family, coming together to celebrate over delicious food. We welcome the new year, wearing new clothes, not doing anything too laborious, speaking with good intentions, and enjoying each other’s company.
What’s your favourite Lunar New Year memory?
As a child, I remember I loved going shopping at the mall for new clothes to wear on Lunar New Year. It’s a core memory of mine – carefully putting together an outfit, and then having to wait until the morning of Lunar New Year to be able to wear it – the impatience was so real! These days (aside from an excuse to shop for new clothes), my favourite part about Lunar New Year is the Lou sang – the prosperity toss – where we all use chopsticks to pick up finely julienned yee sang (colourful raw fish salad) and toss the ingredients together while shouting auspicious phrases wishing for prosperity, good health, success, and happiness. Tradition says, the higher you toss, the better your luck for the coming year. It’s messy, loud, and fun. Definitely not an occasion for white tablecloths.
How do you plan to celebrate this year?
We usually celebrate the eve of Lunar New Year with an elaborate dinner hosted by my parents. Over the years, we’ve extended the invite to friends as well. Last year, two of my friends were visiting – one from New York and one from Sydney – so we invited them along with some of my girlfriends from Auckland, and hosted the celebration at my house. This year, Lunar New Year falls during an especially busy period for us so we are doing something completely different this year and going out to dine at a Chinese restaurant, Mr Lobster, with my family. We will surely have another dinner with my parents at their place, another night during the 15-day Lunar New Year period.
Aki Curtis, content creator
What does Lunar New Year mean to you?
Lunar New Year is the most significant celebration across most Asian countries. Growing up, my parents taught us that this was the most important festivity of the year. Mum always said we could miss Christmas or New Year, but we must never miss Lunar New Year – which really says it all. This is the time where homes are refreshed, old energy is cleared and intentions are set for the year ahead. For me, it represents legacy: traditions passed down through generations, and a reminder of what makes us great as Chinese.
What’s your favourite Lunar New Year memory?
Oh so many things come to mind: the fireworks, the abundance of food, making pastries together as a family, and all the Lunar New Year decorations. Red and green are for Christmas; red and gold are for Lunar New Year. Being the most creative one in the family, I was always in charge of decorating the house. One of my funniest memories is the ‘fights’ at dinner. Every meal, family members would argue over who gets to pay – going Dutch simply isn’t a thing in our culture. We believe the more generous you are, the more fortune comes back to you.
How do you plan to celebrate this year?
Lunar New Year isn’t widely celebrated in New Zealand, so for many people it’s often limited to the Lantern Festival or a few red-themed moments in malls. Since becoming a homeowner recently, I thought it would be fun to introduce the celebration to my pākehā friends by hosting a series of Lunar New Year dinners with different groups. I love cooking, so my goal is simple: to feed my non-Asian friends until they fall in love with Lunar New Year too haha.
Courtney Joe, stylist
What does Lunar New Year mean to you?
The significance of Lunar New Year has changed for me in recent years — now that my grandparents are no longer here, the holiday has become more of a marker to remember and practise the Chinese New Year traditions (and superstitions) that they instilled in me growing up. Those all centre around attracting as much luck as possible during the new year — like making sure my home is clean and in order ahead of the New Year (any cleaning on the day can sweep away the good luck that enters your home – this extends to washing your hair, too!), eating “lucky” foods, gifting hongbaos (red packets) to friends, and my favourite one of all, making sure to wear either red, or something new on New Year’s Day.
What’s your favourite Lunar New Year memory?
My favourite Lunar New Year memory was two years ago — the year of the Dragon. I celebrated on New Year’s day with a spontaneous mid-morning yum cha date, complete with a live dragon dance, followed by an evening spent at home with some dear friends. It was the first time I had hosted a Lunar New Year dinner of my own, and it was really special to be able to share that part of my culture with them — “Double Happiness” decorations, red packets and all.
How do you plan to celebrate this year?
Preparations are already underway for my home to be in tip top shape once the New Year arrives. I hope to celebrate this year at home with friends, and perhaps a look at the Auckland Lantern Festival.
Stephenie Zhou, content creator
What does Lunar New Year mean to you?
Lunar New Year, to me, is a return to togetherness. It’s the familiar rhythm of family gathering around the table, the kitchen slowly filling with warmth, and a generous meal prepared with care. In China, people often travel from different cities to be home for this day, sharing a reunion dinner with their loved ones. It’s a moment to pause, raise a glass, and step into the new year with gratitude and quiet hope.
What’s your favourite Lunar New Year memory?
My favourite memories are from childhood – the excitement of red envelopes tucked into small hands, dumplings shared straight from the pot, waiting for fireworks to light up the night sky, and watching the Lunar New Year Gala together at home. Those moments felt joyful, unhurried, and full of warmth.
How do you plan to celebrate this year?
This year will be more intimate. With my parents overseas, we’ll keep the celebration close to home – spending the afternoon making dumplings, the table slowly filling with dishes, and taking our time over a New Year’s meal. Living between cultures has taught me that tradition doesn’t disappear when distance is involved; it simply adapts, finding new ways to be felt.
On the Lunar New Year, a splash of red to summon good luck:
