The 20th annual Auckland Lantern Festival kicked off on Thursday night featuring a dazzling lantern show as well as a range of local and international Chinese activities to usher in the Year of the pig. /VCG Photo

Some 800 handmade lanterns shone around trees and pathways and attracted streams of admirers. /VCG Photo

Each one was transported from China and has a story to tell, according to Xinhua. /VCG Photo

"Lantern Festival has its roots in China some 2,000 years ago, but its purpose of bringing people together to enjoy a special moment of wonder and celebration transcends barriers of language, culture and time," said New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, who inaugurated the festival after cheering "Happy New Year" in Chinese. /VCG Photo

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff told Xinhua that a quarter of a million people are expected to attend the four-day show February 14-17. /VCG Photo