Māori culture and te reo Māori are also taught and integrated into everyday teaching and learning, so children at the school are gaining skills in three languages while appreciating and understanding cultural differences.

“When it comes to language, the earlier you start, the better,” says Greg.

China is New Zealand’s biggest trading partner and the links between the two nations are fast expanding.

International evidence shows learning a second language can also contribute to the development of a student’s literacy skills in their first language.

In August 2014 the Government committed $10 million over five years to support Asian language learning for all students.

As with many schools in Auckland today, New Lynn Primary is a melting pot of nationalities, so its teaching philosophy reflects the local community.

Associate headmaster Stephen Dooley said parents were “extremely supportive” of the policy.

The school was also the first in Auckland to have a Mandarin language classroom funded by the Chinese Government agency “The Confucius Institute”.

Confucius classrooms receive funding, student scholarships, books and teaching materials directly from the Office of Chinese Language Council International in China.

Confucius classrooms also  have “brother” relationships schools in China – with annual student exchanges and camps.

St Peter’s College Mandarin teacher Bingmei Zhang said understanding Mandarin would help New Zealander’s understand their new neighbours.

“With the arrival of more Chinese immigrants and international students, more parents and students in New Zealand think Chinese is important to learn so we can bridge the cultural and linguistic gap.”

An Asia New Zealand Foundation survey, released in March, found eight out of 10 people thought New Zealand students should learn a language other than English, and more than half of those chose Chinese ahead of te reo Maori.

Director of the Confucius Institute in Auckland, Nora Yao, said there couldn’t be a more important subject for New Zealand students to be learning.

“Making Mandarin a compulsory subject in schools will spur New Zealand’s economic growth, and will open up opportunities for the younger generation in tomorrow’s world.”

The experience of actually going to China raised awareness of the country’s rich heritage, its diversity, its rapid progress and the importance of promoting Chinese programmes in schools to prepare students for a future that China will dominate.

Elaine Herbert, principal of Glenavon School said she was “amazed at how modern China was and how fast it was moving.”

Gerald Koberstein, a first time visitor to China, said, ”It has developed in me a desire to find more and to further build my understanding of China to help our children to appreciate and understand this part of the world we live in – Asia.”  Maria Heron, principal of Mangere Central School,  made a similar comment,  “I’m now a keen student of Chinese history and culture and this is already influencing our school curriculum.”

The programme comprised visits to cultural sites, businesses and schools.  Highlights included the Great Wall, the New Zealand Embassy, the ANZ bank and close to the principals’ hearts, school visits where the group observed lessons and compared notes with their Chinese counterparts.

Sandra Jenkins and Joan Miller chatting with Ms Chunli Yang, Director International, Wangjing School

The programme comprised visits to cultural sites, businesses and schools.  Highlights included the Great Wall, the New Zealand Embassy, the ANZ bank and close to the principals’ hearts, and school visits where the group observed lessons and compared notes with their Chinese counterparts.

Sandra Jenkins observed teachers who, she thought, demonstrated lessons with “skilled pedagogy and a dedication to innovation, the arts and technology.” She enjoyed the opportunity to share ideas with them.  She believes there are vast opportunities to learn from each other.

The principals are now preparing action plans to support the development of Chinese language and culture in their schools.  Mandarin and sister school exchanges are on the list but also under consideration are similar professional development experiences for their staff and the encouragement of Chinese students in their schools to share and maintain their rich heritage.

This year’s delegation included Pauline Cowens, Tauranga Girls’ College; Richard Dykes, Pakuranga College; Elaine Herbert, Glenavon School; Rob Herewini, Whakatane Intermediate School; Maria Heron, Mangere Central School; Sandra Jenkins, Freemans Bay School; Gerald Koberstein Onerahi School; Joan Middlemiss, Mission Heights Junior College and Tom Webb, Onehunga High School.