WELLINGTON, New Zealand—When New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, a world-class Chinese classical dance and music performance, came to St. James Theatre on April 15, it brought with it a mission and story that resonated with many people.

Ms. Lyndon said that watching Shen Yun had been a revelation, with her knowledge of Chinese culture having greatly expanded.

“I loved it, absolutely loved it. It was awesome, it was just a good showcase of Chinese culture, and all sorts of other ethnicities across the country. [I] went through quite a few emotions joy, sadness, happiness,” said Ms. Lyndon.

“I felt that I understood more about the cultural diversity of China, the history … thinking of the traditions and those stories of the past that were brought forward but also the ethnic dances [has] really thrown a light on how diverse China is,” she said.

Ancient Chinese people believed that heavenly beings and earthly creatures once co-existed harmoniously. Thus ancient Chinese culture embodied something very spiritual.

“We are a very spiritual culture ourselves here in New Zealand, the Maori [people], and you could see that [spirituality] portrayed throughout the whole performance. It’s quite astounding just how far back a lot of these traditions and practices … go,” he said.

“Through the struggles comes strength and you could see this portrayed through [the story-based dances], through the clothes, through all the elements that were brought together to make up the complete show.”

Learning about Chinese culture was a boon for Mr. Scott.

“Understanding the land a bit more. Go[ing] through a journey back thousands of years but also connecting to what is happening today and it gives us [an] insight into what is one of the largest civilisations on the face of the earth,” said Mr. Scott.

Ms. Lyndon said she had gained a sense of hope after watching the performance. She learnt that through challenge comes resilience.

“It was a good insight into the Chinese culture, how spiritual they actually are.” Maori and Pacific Island people were also very spiritual people sharing the traditional Chinese spiritual belief where heaven and earth are brought together, said Ms. Lyndon.

“[I could] … feel the energy [in Shen Yun] on a couple of emotional levels really. It was a real sort of journey. You’re sort of going back in time, you’re coming back to today. You can feel that through the music and feel that through the portrayals, feel that through the stories.

“It was a bit of time travelling really,” she said.

“[L]et’s not forget about all that history of the past and what it can teach us moving forward for society, and for the world at large.”