A “Love Letter” to Mandarin Language Assistants

                                                               – Address at the 2025 MLA Farewell Ceremony

Dear Mandarin Language Assistant Teachers,

As I am standing here to share the farewell remark with you, my feeling is mixed – a mixture of pride, gratitude and sadness.

When you stepped off the plane ten months ago, I welcomed you at the campus guest house of the University of Auckland. On that occasion, I could see what you carried with you was more than your luggage. I also saw from your eyes your expectations – expectations to make contributions to the new community in a new land.

You did make a lot of contributions to the new communities over the past ten months, especially in teaching Mandarin language in 39 primary and secondary schools across the wider Auckland region from Northland down to Waikato. You have spent numerous days (and sometime nighttime) preparing teaching plans and designing classroom activities. You have inspired young children to say their first words in a new language. You have watched shy students find confidence and motivated curious students to discover new horizon through the learning of Mandarin inside and outside the classrooms. What you have contributed is not merely teaching another language to Kiwi kids. You have also been contributing as bridge builders and road workers.

As bridge builders, you have helped to deepen the understanding and communication between the people of New Zealand and China.

As road workers, you have helped to shorten the linguistic and cultural distance between the communities of the two societies,

You contribute, and you also benefit. Through engaging with your students, your school colleagues, your homestay families, and members of the wider communities, I believe, you have acquired a first-hand experience of the sincerity, the simplicity, the sunny spirit and the sunlit warmth of Kiwi culture. You came here as foreigners. As you are leaving, you become part of the story of this place. Your ten-month stay here, I hope, will produce life-long memories of the place and the people of this place.

As you prepare to leave the place and its people, I wish to share with you some of my hopes:

• I hope you look back on your time in New Zealand with a sense of pride
• I hope you remember the differences you have made here
• I hope you continue to learn and grow with the same passion as you showed here
• I hope your future is as bright and promising as you have made your classrooms

I wish to conclude my remark by quoting lyrics from a popular Cantonese song called “Somewhere in Life, We Meet Again” (人生何处不相逢) –

In farewell, I offer my true heart.

Silently, I endure what fate brings.

Perhaps, on some future day and month,

I may meet you again,

To gather and relive the memories we shared.

Goodbye for now! And the very best of luck!

By Director of Confucius Institute in Auckland, Dr Xuelin Zhou

The MLA mid-year workshop, held over two days, brought together reflection, inspiration, and cultural exchange under the theme Reflection and Replan.

The workshop opened with Xiaolu sharing school feedback with the cohort, offering a valuable springboard for reflection. Her insights set the tone for the workshop, reminding MLAs of the importance of pausing to assess their journey so far and refocus on goals for the months ahead.

Kerryn then led an engaging session using symbolic prompts to guide MLAs in revisiting their achievements and setting intentions for the remainder of the year. Through this activity, participants explored not just what they had done, but also what kind of impact they aspired to make in their classrooms and beyond.

Our Chinese teacher Yu from Fudan Uni introduced career pathways for becoming an international Chinese language teacher, discussing both opportunities and challenges. The session encouraged MLAs to consider how their current experiences could inform long-term planning and personal development.

The first day concluded with a session by Dr Danping Wang, who explored the possibility of pursuing an academic career. Danping outlined the demands and rewards of doctoral study, highlighting the academic qualities and resilience required for this path. The talk added a personal dimension to the day’s theme, that amid uncertainty, taking time to reflect can help clarify one’s direction and purpose.

The second day of the workshop was held in partnership with Fairfield College in Hamilton, offering MLAs an immersive experience in Māori culture and values. Through storytelling, discussion, and connection with the land, the cohort deepened their understanding of how communities can live in harmony with nature. In the afternoon, MLAs and CI staff joined Fairfield students in a tree planting activity at the reserve behind the school. This meaningful gesture of giving back reflected the shared values of respect, care, and sustainability. The warmth and hospitality of Fairfield staff and students left a lasting impression on all participants.

The workshop reminded everyone that the MLA journey is not only about teaching and learning but also about personal growth, self-awareness, and community engagement. A sincere thank you to all contributors, especially Fairfield College, for making this event a meaningful and inspiring milestone in the 2025 MLA programme.

On April 25, CI in Auckland’s 2025 “Chinese Bridge” Principals’ Delegation Group concluded its 10-day visit to China, marking the end of a journey rich with cultural immersion, professional exchange, and strategic collaboration. Co-organised by the Confucius Institute in Auckland and the Confucius Institute Office at Fudan University, this high-level delegation brought together 14 senior education leaders from nine New Zealand primary and secondary schools.

Principals, deputy principals, senior leadership and school board members from wider Auckland region travelled to Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. The delegation also included representatives from the CI in Auckland. Over the course of the trip, the group engaged in a series of meaningful education-focused visits and dialogues.

Highlights of the tour included in-depth visits to local schools and education authorities, where delegates explored Chinese approaches to curriculum, pedagogy, and student wellbeing. The New Zealand educators were particularly impressed by China’s efforts to balance academic achievement with holistic student development, and by the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and big data into the education system.

At the farewell and reflection session held at Fudan University, participants shared their personal insights and takeaways from the experience. Many described the trip as profoundly eye-opening, offering a fresh perspective on China’s rapid modernisation, rich cultural heritage, and orderly urban environment. They expressed admiration for the professionalism and warmth of their Chinese hosts, and a renewed enthusiasm for deepening ties between New Zealand and China.

Looking ahead, the delegates voiced their commitment to strengthening Chinese language education in their schools, encouraging student exchanges, and initiating collaborative online and in-person projects with Chinese partner schools. They aim to establish long-term exchange mechanisms, co-develop joint curricula, and build robust intercultural support systems informed by their first-hand experience of Chinese education and society.

In her concluding remarks, Professor Hu Wenhua, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute Office at Fudan University, reflected on China’s dramatic transformation over recent decades. She praised the CI in Auckland’s achievements in cultural exchange and emphasised the shared values and mutual curiosity that unite Chinese and New Zealand cultures. Professor Hu expressed hope that the delegation members would carry their authentic and vivid experiences back to their communities, inspiring students and families to embrace Chinese language learning and cultural understanding.

As the first educator-focused “Chinese Bridge” delegation organised by CI in Auckland and Fudan University since the programme’s relaunch, this visit marked a significant milestone. Through school visits, corporate engagement, and city exploration, the programme offered a comprehensive platform for New Zealand education leaders to gain a deeper understanding of China’s national context, educational innovation, and technological development.

With plans now underway to broaden the reach of Chinese language programmes in New Zealand schools, the CI in Auckland continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing future ambassadors of cross-cultural friendship—educators and young people who are informed about, connected to, and passionate about China.

“Now I feel less anxious about working at school and living in a new country,” Shuyuan, one MLA this year, expressed by the last day of the week.

The MLA Orientation Week, held from 3rd to 7th February, successfully concluded with our 2025 Mandarin Language Assistants (MLAs) immersing themselves in New Zealand’s indigenous culture, gaining practical insights into their roles, and beginning their journey toward making a meaningful impact in local schools.

The Week was packed with a range of informative and interactive sessions. The programme commenced with a warm welcome from Mr Danny Chan, Board member of CI in Auckland, setting a supportive tone for the journey ahead. Director Zhou shared expectations for their teaching roles, while Kerryn, CI manager, introduced Kiwi culture and New Zealand’s diverse landscape. Additionally, Xiaolu provided an overview of the New Zealand education system, equipping MLAs with a deeper understanding of their teaching environment.

One of the highlights of the week was the returnees’ session, where former MLAs shared their personal experiences from last year. From practical tips on daily living and shopping to navigating the classroom as a language assistant, these insights proved invaluable for the new cohort.

To further familiarise the group with the education sector, CI in Auckland reached out to schools for the visits. At St Heliers Primary and Glendowie College, the cohort had the opportunity to observe local teaching practices and meet some of the students they may work with. Their cultural immersion continued with a visit to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where they experienced Māori traditions and history firsthand.

By the final day, the MLAs—many of whom are new to both the country and the experience—felt more confident about settling into life in Aotearoa, connecting with Kiwi families, and stepping into their roles as language teaching assistants.

We are excited to see the positive contributions they will make in schools across the wider Auckland region. Wishing all our MLAs a fantastic year ahead!

In a remarkable celebration of linguistic and cultural achievement, 12 schools from three regions across New Zealand were honored on Thursday with the inaugural School Excellence Awards as part of the 2024 New Zealand Chinese Language Week celebration.

The awards ceremony, hosted by the Confucius Institute in Auckland, the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington, and the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury, was aimed at recognizing outstanding contributions to Chinese language education and highlighted the collaborative efforts of various organizations dedicated to fostering Chinese language education in New Zealand schools.

Erik Lithander, deputy vice-chancellor for strategic engagement at the University of Auckland, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He said the Confucius Institute in Auckland, like its counterparts elsewhere in New Zealand, is delighted to be able to play a role in facilitating the teaching of Chinese at primary and secondary schools.

China continues to be one of New Zealand’s closest partners. Having the language to be able to engage with China’s rich cultural heritage and historical traditions opens so many doors in terms of walking the potentials of bilateral partnership and bringing our peoples closely together in sprits of friendship and collaboration, Lithander remarked.

Tony Browne, deputy chair of New Zealand Chinese Language Week, reflected on his own journey of learning Chinese 50 years ago.

“During this Chinese Language Week, we celebrate the efforts of numerous schools and individuals who have contributed to the growth of Chinese language education in New Zealand. This week marks the 10th anniversary of our initiative, which started small and has grown significantly. We encourage others to follow in these footsteps and extend our admiration, thanks, and congratulations to all involved,” Browne stated.

Chinese Consul General in Auckland Chen Shijie acknowledged in his speech the increasing enthusiasm for learning Chinese in New Zealand.

Over the past decade, students from New Zealand have participated in the “Chinese Bridge” Competition, winning championships titles. Many of them have become “Youth Ambassadors” promoting friendship between China and New Zealand, said Chen.

“As China is deepening reforms to advance its modernization, I believe people-to-people exchanges will continue to flourish with the key link of the Chinese language. We warmly welcome New Zealand friends to visit China, experience its culture and witness development firsthand,” said the Consul General.

Alistair Crozier, executive director of the New Zealand China Council (NZCC), highlighted the critical role of bilingualism in strengthening New Zealand-China relations.

“Language and cross-cultural skills are the essential engine oil that greases the wheels of our bilateral relationship. To the top Chinese language learners here today, I hope you will one day use your skills to lead this relationship, whether as diplomats, businesspeople, researchers, artists, sportspeople, or in some other ways,” Crozier encouraged.

Onerahi Primary School in Whangarei is one of the schools that won the Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Language Teaching Awards. The school started the Chinese Program in 2016, with 300 students learning Chinese now. Thie year, it offers Chinese dance courses as well.

AnnMaree MacGregor, principal of Onerahi Primary School Whangarei, shared her views about Chinese language education in Nw Zealand.

“Over the past decades, schools in New Zealand have embarked on a remarkable journey, initiating Chinese language and culture programs. These programs have enriched students’ educational experiences and strengthened our ties with the wider world,” MacGregor explained.

Applications for the 2024 NZCLW School Excellence Awards came from seven cities across New Zealand. Three rounds of a strict reviewing process led to the selection of 12 finalists to win the awards. Three categories of awards: Outstanding Contribution of Chinese Language Teaching, Achieving in Community Chinese Language Teaching and Innovation in Chinese Language Teaching were given to primary school, community school and secondary school winners respectively.

The award ceremony was supported by the New Zealand China Council, New Zealand Chinese Language Week, the New Zealand Chinese Language Teachers’ Association, and the Tui Tuia Learning Circle. It is sponsored by the North Asia Center of Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE).

The Chinese Language Week, first launched in 2014, is another language week event held in New Zealand following the Maori Language Week and the Pacific Island Language Week.

[The article was written by Sally Chen and firstly published on Xinhua News]