2025 MLA Farewell Ceremony and Celebration
On 29 November, the Confucius Institute in Auckland hosted the 2025 Farewell Ceremony for its Mandarin Language Assistants (MLA) cohort. Held at the Sir Owen G Glenn Building, the event celebrated the achievements of 23 language assistants who contributed to Chinese language and cultural education in schools across the wider Auckland region.
Dr Xuelin Zhou, Director of CI in Auckland, opened the ceremony, joined by guest speakers including Vice Consul-General Mr Wang Junchao of the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Bin Liu, CEO of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited, CI Advisory Board Members Emeritus Professor Paul Clark and Mr Danny Chan, and Ms Maree Bathurst, Principal of Albany Primary School. They commended the MLAs’ dedication and their role in strengthening ties between New Zealand and China.
Cultural performances by the Westlake Diabolo Club, MLA dancer from Rosehill College, dancers from Glendowie Primary School, and a Fashion Parade and song by Onerahi Primary students highlighted the vibrancy of Chinese traditions. Certificates of completion and recognition were awarded to the Language Assistants, and awards were presented to the winners of our inaugural MLAs’ Teaching Skills competition.
The event concluded with a heartfelt choir performance, celebrating the MLAs’ accomplishments and the connections they built with schools, teachers, learners, and communities during their ten-month journey.