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Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington

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The Confucius Institute of Victoria University of Wellington (CIW) is dedicated to promoting Chinese

The Confucius Institute (CIW) at Victoria University of Wellington was formally established in June 2010 in the presence of Chinese President (then Vice President), Xi Jinping, as a partnership with Xiamen University in China. It opened in March 2011 as part of a worldwide association of 500 CIs now operating with the financial backing and support of the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation and Chinese International Education Foundation. The role of CIW is to build New Zealanders’ understanding of and familiarity with China, its language, culture and people. The Institute provides opportunities for New Zealanders to learn Chinese in schools and in tailored and community classes, both in person and online. It brings Chinese artists, writers, musicians and performers to New Zealand audiences for an experience of Chinese traditional and contemporary culture, often in collaboration with Kiwi artists and performers. Being part of Victoria University of Wellington, CIW contributes to building engagement and academic links with China, especially with Confucius Institute partner, Xiamen University.

16/10/2026

❤️ Drawing Qixi – Love, Stories, and Paper-Cutting!
Qixi is known as Chinese Valentine's Day – a festival of love and legend. 🌌How do you celebrate a love story that crosses the Milky Way?

At Ōtūmoetai Intermediate, students explored the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl through drawing, storytelling, and heart-shaped paper-cutting! Guided by our wonderful MLA Ruisi Li, they learned about Qixi traditions and the meaning of "Qiqiao" – wishing for skill and creativity. ✂️💕

Such a beautiful way to connect culture, creativity, and hearts!

14/10/2026

🖌️ Calligraphy – brushes, ink, and happy hands!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our Calligraphy workshops at Kelburn and Te Aro campuses! 🎉

We had a wonderful time exploring basic brushstrokes, writing Chinese characters, and learning about the art and history behind this beautiful tradition.
Whether it was your first time holding a brush or you're already a fan of ink, we hope you left feeling inspired (and maybe a little inky 😄).

📸 Swipe for some highlights from both campuses!

13/10/2026

上头 (shàng tóu)
🔥 上头 – “Addicted / Obsessed”
English‑friendly: “Shahng toe”
(shahng like "shong" with an 'a', toe like "toe")

When something is so good you can't stop thinking about it – you're 上头. Often used for binge‑watching dramas, playing games, or listening to a catchy song. It's that feeling of being completely hooked! 🎮📺

Example:
这个电视剧太好看了，我完全上头了。
Zhège diànshìjù tài hǎokàn le, wǒ wánquán shàng tóu le.
“This TV series is so good – I'm completely obsessed.”

11/10/2026

Earlier this month is was 🥟. Do you know how to make a 柳叶饺子liǔ yè jiǎozi? (Willow leaf dumpling)

09/10/2026

🍡 Sweet Tangyuan Brings Yuanxiao Festival to Palmerston North!

What better way to celebrate Chinese culture than with something sweet and round? 🥣

Volunteer teacher Liu Rongrong brought the warmth of Yuanxiao Festival to Palmerston North Girls' High School, teaching over 20 teachers how to make black sesame tangyuan from scratch. The sweet treats were a hit!

The fun didn't stop there – tangyuan-making and lantern riddle sessions also took place at Freyberg High School and Queen Elizabeth College, engaging over 30 students.

A delicious way to share tradition and build understanding! 🌏❤️

06/10/2026

打脸 (dǎ liǎn)
👋 打脸 – “A slap in the face” (figuratively)
English‑friendly: “Dah lyen”
(dah like "duh", lyen rhymes with "yen")

When you say something confidently, and then reality proves you wrong – that's 打脸. It’s like being publicly proven wrong or embarrassed by your own words. Ouch! 😅

Example:
你昨天说肯定能赢，今天输了，打脸了吧。
Nǐ zuótiān shuō kěndìng néng yíng, jīntiān shū le, dǎ liǎn le ba.
“You said yesterday you'd definitely win, but you lost today – slapped in the face, huh?”

04/10/2026

🎧 MANDARIN CORNER ON AIR | NEW EPISODE 🎧
A Little Bit Chinese: Tashi’s Mandarin Journey
What keeps you going when learning Chinese feels like a marathon?

Meet Tashi Hogan(Liu Haizhi) — a young New Zealander who turned Mandarin into part of his life. In this 30-minute episode, he shares:

📚 The Chinese novels that moved him
🏆 His journey to the global top 10 at the Chinese Bridge Competition
🚄 What surprised him on his first trip to a Chinese-speaking environment
💡 His simple “read–listen–speak” method
✨ Why he says learning Chinese is “100% worth it”

🎧 Listen now: https://accessradio.org.nz/shows-podcasts/mandarin-corner/

02/10/2026

🀄 Mahjong Culture Workshop at Freyberg High School!

Students at Freyberg High School had a blast learning the ancient game of Mahjong! 🎲

Our volunteer teacher Liu Rongrong introduced the rules, tile types, and winning formulas – and after a quick repair of the school's automatic Mahjong machines, students jumped straight into hands-on gameplay. The enthusiasm was so high that the school has decided to start a regular Mahjong Club!

What a fun way to build cultural connections through play! 🙌

30/09/2026

🌸 Qipao design – with a natural twist!

Year 8 students at Ōtūmoetai Intermediate got creative during Chinese Language Week – designing their own Qipaos using flower petals and leaves! 🌿🌺

Thanks to volunteer teacher Ruisi Li for inspiring this beautiful blend of tradition and nature.

28/09/2026

🌏 Happy Global Confucius Institute Day!

Today, Confucius Institutes around the world celebrate Global Confucius Institute Day, a special occasion that also coincides with the birthday of Confucius (551–479 BCE), one of history's greatest educators and philosophers.

Confucius believed that education can transform lives, build character, and strengthen communities. More than 2,500 years later, these values continue to inspire people across cultures and countries.

At the Confucius Institute at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, we are proud to promote Chinese language learning, cultural understanding, and meaningful exchanges between New Zealand and China. Through our programmes, events, and partnerships, we celebrate the connections that learning and shared experiences can create.

Address

Rutherford House, 33 Bunny Street
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/ci

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