An evening of Chinese culture, art and food will pull back the curtain on the ancient culture for Tauranga residents on Wednesday.

The event, which is being organised by Tauranga's Chinese Community School, will offer residents the chance to learn more about the culture and a chance for Chinese community members to come together.

Chinese community members Vivien Ting, Li Feng and Li Cheng, pictured wearing national costume with the Chinese flag, are putting on a Chinese culture evening on Wednesday. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Chinese community school teacher Vivien Ting says the evening will feature a variety of performances of traditional art including Chinese dance and Tai Chi fan performance, together with a demonstration of traditional painting and how make dumplings.

'Hopefully it will be interesting and teach everyone more about Chinese culture,” says Vivien.

She is encouraging anyone interested to attend whether they want to more learn about the Chinese art forms, to help get an insight into the culture of New Zealand's largest trading partner or to learn more about the language school.

In the 15 years since Vivien shifted to Tauranga she has noticed a gradual growth in interest in learning about Chinese culture and language, which has been boosted with the growth of China to become New Zealand's top trading partner.

Three years on since opening the school – which provides NCEA Mandarin classes for all interested Western Bay students along with evening adult classes – demand was steady with new adults regularly starting classes.

The evening, which is part of the Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council's Living in Harmony series introducing the public to the region's ethnic communities, will also include an overview on Chinese culture. It will be held at Historic Village Hall (17^th Ave) on Wednesday from 7pm, with everyone attending to bring a plate of food and gold coin donation. For more details or to learn about the language school call Vivien at 578 8114 ext 763 or email vivien.ting@tgc.school.nz