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NZ Chinese Language Week in full flow

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Chinese Language Week logoThe New Zealand Chinese Language Week, from September 7 -13, 2015, is in full action, with activities both National (1) and in the main centres – Auckland (10), Waikato (12) Wellington (10), Nelson (6), Christchurch (12), Timaru (1) and Dunedin (7).  For a full list, click here .

The organisers are to be congratulated on their initiative and their magnificent effort in arranging such a panoply of events, ranging from cultural performances, competitions, calligraphy classes (and much much more), which will give excellent publicity for the Chinese language.

The NZ Chinese Language Week, which was inaugurated at the Society’s National Conference last year (2014), was welcomed by Prime Minister, John Key [see video on the Language Week’s website home page], and the Mayor of Wellington, Celia Wade-Brown.  It has been publicised by the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, besides being publicised on TV One, and the NZ Herald (Sep 8) had a full page feature “Putting Mandarin in the spotlight”.  The Herald has had several articles on the Week, including one about the teaching of Mandarin in Rotorua.

Tiffinee Luke (left), 13, Lily Edmonds, 12, and Lukas Scowen, 12, are keen on the Chinese language of Mandarin. Photo / Ben Fraser [NZ Herald]
Tiffinee Luke (left), 13, Lily Edmonds, 12, and Lukas Scowen, 12, are keen on the Chinese language of Mandarin. Photo / Ben Fraser [NZ Herald]

Incidentally, your reporter believes that this is the very first ‘Chinese Language Week’ ever!

What a great initiative all round!!

Duncan France