Conductor Zhou Wen leads the Hubei Chime Orchestra. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

In their encore song, the orchestra performed the famous Auckland love song Pokerakara Ana, using both Western and traditional Chinese instruments, such as cellos, erhu and pipa.

Talking with local media, many New Zealanders said they enjoyed ancient Chinese music and culture.

"This is the first time I'd listened to live music of chime bells. The show was stunning and out of expectations," said Colin Foster in an interview with NCTV, a channel dedicated to Chinese communities in New Zealand and those interested in Chinese culture. Foster added that the sounds of chime bells are quite different from that of Western instruments and that the show was a good way of cultural exchange.

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