Millions of people around the globe have cleaned their houses to get rid of bad fortune, put up bright red decorations, and are wishing each other 'Guo Nian Hao'.
One-sixth of the world's population is welcoming in the Chinese New Year.
In New Zealand, thousands of people of all ethnicities will flock to festivals in Auckland and Christchurch in the coming weeks to view spectacular lanterns and sample tasty street food.
But for many, this is the extent of their interaction with the country's growing Chinese community.
Bo Li and Susan Sun have lived in New Zealand for 22 years and for them Chinese New Year is a family affair.
Ms Sun said while her daughters enjoy the festivities, her youngest, Brianna, doesn't know a lot about her heritage.
Susan's mother-in-law, Li Yun Fang lives with the family and wished her granddaughters would show more of an interest in Chinese culture.
But for 12-year-old Brianna and her 27-year-old sister, Lucy Jacobson, learning about their Chinese identity has not been a big priority.
It's only now that Ms Jacobson's husband, who isn't Chinese, has shown interest in her culture that she has started to learn more about her roots.
Her father, Bo Li, said some Chinese can lead largely separate lives in New Zealand from other communities.
He wished the country's Chinese population, which stands at more than 200,000 people, could have more of a voice in mainstream media.
The Li family said while living here has had its challenges, they have made it their home their home over the past two decades and look forward to many more.
