(Clearwisdom.net) On May 8, 2009, in Auckland's Pakuranga Community Center, local Falun Dafa practitioners held an event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Master Li's teaching in New Zealand. Amato Akarana, a Maori emirate, represented New Zealand Aotearoa Tangata Whenua Maori, Faa Samoa, Pacifica, Sovereign Council of Chiefs and issued a proclamation of New Zealand Falun Dafa Week, May 7 to 13.

A representative of New Zealand Falun Dafa Association accepts the proclamation from Maori Emirate.

Maori Emirate Amato Akarana gives a speech

A representative of Tanga Emirate gives a speech

A representative of a tribe gives a speech

Practitioner Yu Jingfang of New Zealand Falun Dafa Association gives a speech

Proclamation of Falun Dafa Week from Aotearoa Tangata Whenua Maori, Faa Samoa, Pacifica, Sovereign Council of Chiefs

Group photo after the ceremony

Maori Emirate Amato Akarana said in his speech, "Today I am very fortunate to represent the Maori people to support Falun Dafa. One year ago, in downtown Auckland, I saw your reenactment of torture that you suffer in China. I was deeply touched. You are persecuted for keeping your steadfast belief. I and the Maori people support you. Falun Gong practitioners suffer brutal persecution including live organ harvesting. Anyone with a little conscience should be moved. Otherwise, he is not qualified to be human."

"My ancestors told me, your responsibility here is to observe and listen. When you are needed to stand out to speak, I hope you can do well. Now it is time for me to speak out. I will walk with you and help you wholeheartedly.

"Today I bring the proclamation of New Zealand Falun Dafa Week, on which there are signatures from our council. We pray for you in our country. Here we celebrate New Zealand Falun Dafa Week. I am here to thank you for letting me, my family, my tribe, and the Maori people to be a part of your future."

Amid warm applause, practitioner Yu Jingfang of New Zealand Falun Dafa Association accepted the proclamation from Mr. Akarana

Mr. Yu said, "We appreciate the Aotearoa Tangata Whenua Maori, Faa Samoa, Pacifica, Sovereign Council of Chiefs very much for giving us the proclamation. We wish you have a good future. Ten years ago, Master Li visited New Zealand. Since then, many New Zealand people started practicing Falun Gong. Though it has been ten years since CCP initiated the brutal persecution, Falun Gong practitioners keep their steadfast belief in Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. Today, people's support to Falun Dafa cannot be evaluated with money. In future, people will remember your support. We Falun Dafa practitioners will continue to bring the grace of Falun Dafa to New Zealand people."