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]