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

On 23 November, the Confucius Institute in Auckland held a highly successful “Chinese Bridge” immersive cultural experience for thirty secondary school students from across Auckland. The event combined hands-on cultural workshops with an inspiring talk from Jin Kaibo, the 2025 “Chinese Bridge” World Secondary School Chinese Competition Auckland Regional Champion and Global First Prize winner.

Jin Kaibo’s energetic presentation was a highlight of the day. He shared his journey from learning Chinese to competing on the world stage, describing how he overcame language barriers, prepared for the finals in China, and navigated cultural knowledge challenges alongside contestants from around the world. His stories, insights, and practical learning tips deeply motivated the students, drawing frequent applause and creating a strong atmosphere of encouragement.

Following the talk, students took part in two immersive cultural workshops: lacquer fan making and diabolo making. Under the guidance of CI teachers, students learned the history and artistic techniques behind lacquer fans while creating their own designs. In the diabolo workshop, students practiced grip, power techniques, and fundamental tricks—moving from beginner mistakes to proudly mastering steady spins and catches.

The activity concluded with students sharing their fan artworks and demonstrating diabolo skills, generating a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere. Many commented that the experience deepened their appreciation for Chinese culture and strengthened their motivation to learn Chinese. One student expressed, “I want to work even harder and stand on the Chinese Bridge stage next year!”

By combining role-model inspiration with hands-on cultural activities, the Confucius Institute in Auckland provided students with a meaningful platform to explore the Chinese language and culture. The event successfully used the spirit of the “Chinese Bridge” competition to promote learning through experience, building a vibrant bridge of cultural exchange between young people in New Zealand and China.

During the meeting, Professor Zhou outlined the Institute’s key achievements and its pivotal role in promoting Chinese language teaching across Auckland and surrounding regions. Each year, the Institute supports numerous primary and secondary schools, contributing to the growing popularity of Chinese as a foreign language in New Zealand.

Mr He introduced the history and core operations of the Shanghai publishing group, highlighting its decades of experience in developing educational and cultural resources. He also shared insights into the group’s ongoing innovations in digital publishing and platform development. The delegation expressed strong interest in understanding local Chinese language education practices and exploring new avenues for cooperation in resource development, teacher training, and cultural engagement.