The Human Rights Torch has come to the end of its journey in New Zealand, ushering in the New Year in style in Gisborne - the first city in the world to see the sun.
The Torch arrived in New Zealand on December 16 and travelled from Auckland to the Bluff, even travelling up the country's highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Gisborne District Councilor Andy Hall received the torch on behalf of Gisborne. He thanked the organizers for the opportunity to stand up for human rights and freedom.
"We are standing up for those who don't have the ability to stand up tall in their own country," he said.
Burmese democracy advocate Naing Koko said the Chinese Communist Party continues to affect countries like Burma, Thailand, North Korea, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
"While people are celebrating the New Year we should not forget about the people suffering in the third world, particularly China," he said.
He was particularly concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong.
Gisborne Christian Kahan Payne said he could not support the Olympics being held in China when so many human rights abuses happen there.
"There are many, many thousands of Christians in China being persecuted and robbed of their humanity, their organs being taken," he said.
Waka Toa director Paku Kingi said she hopes the Human Rights Torch will encourage the Chinese regime to improve its human rights record.
"We hope that this will bring about some changes that have been promised to the people of China."
Musician Cherry Gemstone played Ring of Fire and Diamond in the Rough for the crowd of about 200 people at the ceremony.
"There shouldn't be an Olympic Games in a place where they are killing people like they are in China, it's just so wrong.
"Killing is not a sport," she said.
The torch started its global tour in Athens, Greece on August 9, one year out from the Beijing Olympics. It was launched by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong to highlight human rights abuses in China, and particularly the organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners.
The Torch now heads to Africa via Los Angeles.