AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 25 (Xinhua) -- China's hit film "Dear You" held its New Zealand premiere in Auckland on Wednesday evening and will land at cinemas in different cities of the country in the coming week.

People pose for group photos during the premiere of Chinese film "Dear You" in Auckland, New Zealand, June 24, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Generations of Teochew people have chosen to go abroad to make a living, while their families remained in their hometowns, Chinese Consul General in Auckland Chen Shijie noted in his speech.

Travelers who were attached to their hometowns and families who were concerned about distant places, over a long period of time, wrote together the most beautiful love letters belonging to the Chinese people, Chen said.

"Dear You," a low-budget film shot largely in the Chaoshan (Teochew) dialect, has become one of China's most unexpected box-office successes this year.

The premiere in Auckland drew hundreds of overseas Chinese, members of the local community and film enthusiasts. Many shed tears at the moving moments of the word-of-mouth sensation.

"This movie really inspired me and made me cry a few times. The most touching part is the history itself -- it really takes you back to history -- and how people suffered for us to be, to live this life that we live in now," said Victoria Cao, a native New Zealander.

Zhang Junqiang, general manager of the Board of Teo Swa General Association of New Zealand, said the film evoked his childhood memories. Zhang's ancestral home is in the Chaoshan region of south China's Guangdong Province, but he was born in Cambodia. He said that when he was about ten years old, he followed his father to participate in sending "qiaopi," letters and remittances sent home by overseas Chinese.

At that time, Zhang was young and did not understand its meaning, only knowing that his father insisted on sending remittances and letters to his hometown. He said emotionally, "The story in the film, I deeply relate to it, as if I personally experienced it, with mixed emotions."

"I hope that through this film, more people can understand Chinese culture and Chinese stories, further play the role of films as a bridge of cultural exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding between different cultures," said Zhang Yikun, executive chairman of the Teochew International Federation.

According to information released, "Dear You" will be officially released in New Zealand on Thursday, and in the coming week, cinemas in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Palmerston North and Christchurch will have screenings.