New Zealand: World Falun Dafa Day Celebrated in Hamilton

(Minghui.org) Practitioners celebrated World Falun Dafa Day by holding an event at Hamilton Lake Domain Park on May 3, 2025.

Practitioners wish their founder, Master Li happy birthdayMayor Paula Southgate (left), City Councilors Kesh Naidoo-rauf (middle) and Maxine van Oosten (right)

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate and City Councillors Kesh Naidoo-rauf and Maxine Van Oosten sent emails in advance to express their congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day and the celebration in Hamilton.

The Tian Guo Marching Band kicked off the celebration at 10 a.m., attracting people who were walking, exercising, or having family gatherings by the lake. The waist drum team and dragon dance team performed to enthusiastic applause. Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises, and some people learned them during the event.

Practitioners demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises.People learn the exercises.

The Tian Guo Marching Band

The dragon dancers

The waist drum team

Appreciates Falun Dafa

Jayjay Smith

Jayjay Smith, who has practiced Falun Dafa for seven years, said at the rally, “Practicing Falun Dafa brought great changes to my life. I became healthier and I’m full of vitality and energy, so I’m very grateful. The most significant and important change is that practicing Falun Dafa freed me from anxiety, doubt, and negative thoughts.”

She said that, before she began practicing, her life was full of challenges. From the time she was a child, she was plagued by endless worries, doubts, and anxieties. She even lived a closed life, alone, immersed in books and movies. She read books, took courses, and tried psychotherapy, meditation, and other methods. But nothing eliminated her fear, and she felt something was missing.

After she began practicing Dafa, she found the answer to life and stopped torturing herself. By reading the book Zhuan Falun and practicing the exercises, she found happiness. She said, “I no longer need vitamins or supplements to stay healthy. Now I’m no longer afraid. The renewed vitality allows me to connect with more people, including participating in truth clarifying projects.

“Now that I am practicing, I have hope, faith, trust, and a calm and peaceful mind. I am sincerely grateful for this. These are the rich rewards I have received from practicing Falun Dafa.”

Falun Dafa Gives People a Better Lifestyle

Marlene commends Falun Dafa.

Marlene, a nursing home worker, said, “[Falun Dafa] is so beautiful and pure. This is not only a practice—it’s pure and provides support and help. You just need to let go of yourself.”

She said that practicing Falun Gong can help people live an honest and friendly way of life, and that the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance will bring understanding and freedom to the world, so that people can be kind and live honestly.

She expressed her appreciation to Master Li: “Thank you for helping people learn about themselves and have them demonstrate their kind side.” She also thanked practitioners.

Arron praised Falun Dafa.

Arron, a financial consultant, was walking with his child and they stopped to watch as practitioners performed. He said, “I know about Falun Dafa. I think the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance will benefit everyone. Our society and our children need these values.”

When he learned that this year marks the 33rd anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa, he said, “This is a very meaningful event. I thank Falun Dafa practitioners for their efforts.”