Singapore National Day celebrations in Christchurch
The small but vibrant Singaporean community in Christchurch celebrated the 51st Singapore National Day on August 12 at Chateau on the Park, with Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch, and Ang Seow Wei, Deputy High Commissioner at High Commission of Singapore in New Zealand, in attendance.
Over 100 people of Singaporean origin and the wider community participated in almost three-hour-long event, which saw performances by a city-based kapa haka group. National anthems of New Zealand and Singapore were also played during the occasion.
Ang Seow Wei, Deputy High Commissioner at High Commission of Singapore in New Zealand, addressing the gathering
“Relationship between our two great nations have never been better, which is symbolised by Exercise Thunder Warrior – the annual exercise that has been conducted between the Singapore and New Zealand armies since 1997,” said Wei in his speech.
He also quoted Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recent speech on the Lion City's 50th anniversary celebrations of last year.
“As the PM said, SG50 helped in cultivating a national identity and sense of belonging for all our citizens. Hopefully, that will lead us to even greater heights as we move towards SG100.”
Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch, who visited Singapore last year, was all praise for the success Singapore has achieved in the last half-a-century. “One of the most important things we can learn from the Island Nation is how well it has achieved racial integration,” she said.
Sitti Curtis, the main organiser of the event, and prominent member of Singapore Club, Christchurch, who was visibly overjoyed by the success of the event concluded, “Our team of volunteers had worked very hard to make this happen. All I can say is Majulah Singapura [Onward Singapore]!”
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