New Zealand China Friendship Society Inc.
Building New Friendships on Solid Foundations
Te Papa Marae, 23rd April 2013. Ko te taura whiri, he whiri i te tangataThe muka (flax fibre) cord is like the cord that connects people. The formal welcome of the kahu huruhuru, or Māori feather cloak, gifted to Chairman Mao Zedong on behalf of King Korokī, on temporary loan to Te Papa from the National Museum of China (NMC) collection, Beijing, was a very significant and moving occasion. The day marked a circular journey of nearly 56 years since the cloak’s presentation to … [Read more...]
NZCFS/Michael King Writers’ Centre first Writer’s Exchange gets extensive coverage in English Media in China The selection of Huo Yan as the first writer to take up a fellowship at the Michael King Writers Centre has been widely publicised in English language publications in China, with great promotion for NZCFS and its exciting most recent engagement with China. Huo Yan is funded under the Rewi Alley Friendship and Exchange Fund. Click on any of the links below to get the full press … [Read more...]
The Society has established an “NZCFS Youth Internship” following the recent study for the Society by Inès Roth le Gentil where she suggested several initiatives for young people. It is open to young New Zealanders to engage in activity in China with a view to providing closer co-operation in a range of activities between the two countries. The Youth Internship is aimed at offering a complementary opportunity to engage deeply in Chinese society in line with NZCFS’s principle mission; … [Read more...]
Over 500 guests attended a reception at the Alexander Park Raceway rooms to welcome the new Chinese Consul-General, Mr Niu Qingbao, to Auckland on February 7th and to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Mr Niu and his wife welcomed each guest personally and later addressed the gathering, commenting on the natural beauty of New Zealand and the friendliness of the local people. He told those present that he had already had a meeting with Prime Minister John Key, Opposition Leader David Shearer … [Read more...]
NZCFS has formed a partnership collaboration with Te Papa in their cooperation project with the National Museum of China to loan the historic Chairman Mao cloak for research and display in Te Papa from June to October 2013. New Zealanders will have an opportunity to see it and learn more about the connections and context to its gifting. The National Museum of China has displayed the cloak in association with the Te Papa touring exhibitions Kura Pounamu and Brian Brake: Lens on China, which … [Read more...]
A reception was held on December 19th at Alexandra Park Racecourse, Auckland, to bid farewell to Madame Liao Juhua, the Chinese Consul General, after four years in New Zealand. Many guests from diverse sectors of the Auckland were invited and many (see list below) spoke of their sadness at Mme. Liao’s departure after a very productive time in New Zealand, where she was responsible for connecting many people together in societies and companies from both New Zealand and China for their mutual … [Read more...]
If your taste in art is for beautiful Chinese ladies in traditional dress, dreaming by a rocky pool, then you would have been spoiled if you had visited Qin Bailan’s exquisite painting exhibition recently [Dec 1-2, School of Engineering, University of Auckland. The exhibtion was sponsored by the Confucius Institute, Auckland, and NZCFS Auckland branch] . Each painting is carefully crafted with great attention paid to detail to make sure that they are historically accurate in style and … [Read more...]
A brand new Internship is being set up for a young New Zealander who wishes to engage with Chinese people and society. After the recent comprehensive report written by Inès Roth le Gentil on the reasons why young people have not joined the Society and the proposed solutions, the National Executive has proposed an Internship worth $5000 for a young person interested in pursuing a project within China. This opens up great possibilities for anyone interested in establishing greater cultural … [Read more...]
In recent months, Inès Roth le Gentil, a young Frenchwoman visiting New Zealand, became interested in the New Zealand China Friendship Society and, following being taken on as an intern, has produced a very interesting and valuable report on how to attract younger people to the Society. She spent about two months investigating opportunities for the Society as well as meeting and discussing the problem with a broad spectrum of people. It is recognised that the Society has a problem … [Read more...]
It is with deep sorrow that we note the passing of Nancy Goddard in Palmerston North on 10 September. Nancy was received at the Ngati Poneke Pipitea Marae in Wellington followed by a funeral service at Karori Cemetery. NZCFS members attended the funeral and Mary Gray spoke on behalf of the Society. Below is the eulogy given by Nancy’s brother Frank Kwok. The Kwok ancestral village is Bak Shek (Baishi) Guangzhou in China. Mother (Chung Fung Kwai) and … [Read more...]
This tour spent ten days travelling the Silk Road. On arrival in Gansu, the tour then changed theme to spend time with some of our key partners in our work in China. During this time, three commemorative events took place. Firstly in Shandan we celebrated our 60th Anniversary with Shandan Bailie School’s 70th. This was also an occasion to commemorate Rewi Alley’s 115th year, and the 40th year of NZ-China diplomatic relations. Speakers included NZ Ambassador to China, Carl Worker, Honorary … [Read more...]
Would you like to help Chinese students to improve their English, but don’t really want to travel? Now is your chance without leaving home!! Chan Chun Ha secondary school, located in Hong Kong's New Territories, is looking for New Zealanders who can give about one hour a week to take part in their i-Mentor Programme. This involves simply replying to e-mails once a week sent by students who wish to improve their English and get to know and develop friendship with New Zealanders. The … [Read more...]