Radio New Zealand reported on Feburay 8 that Falun Gong would not be allowed to take part in the festivities for the Year of the Rat, which began on Thursday in New Zealand and other countries and will last for two weeks.

It has been prevented from taking part in the celebrations for the second year running because they are deemed to be a political organisation.

A loud and colourful celebration ushered in the Chinese new year in Wellington but Falun Gong's absence from the parade attracted widespread concern.

Thousands welcomed the year of the rat, Chinese style, but members of the Falun Gong movement were missing from the masses.

Wellington City Council sponsors the parade and Mayor Kerry Prendergast told TV One News "there shouldn't be a political component to the events that we sponsor".

"When we are the organiser of events we don't think it's fair spending ratepayers' money supporting one side of a political argument," Mayor says.

Falun Gong, which was allowed to take part in the Christmas parade, was banned from last year's Chinese New Year festivities but gatecrashed the event.

(facts.org.cn, February 15, 2008)