New Zealand Chinese Language Week 2024

It’s the 10-year celebration of NZ Chinese Language Week!

Read this story in Simplified Chinese here.

Read this story in Traditional Chinese here.

Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka, Wu, Min, Xiang, Gan and Jin are the eight Chinese Languages, which can be divided further into 300 dialects. New Zealand’s Chinese early settlers spoke Cantonese in 1961, and from 1909 northern and other Chinese arrived in New Zealand.

New Zealand Chinese Language Week at Wellington City Libraries offers an opportunity to enjoy culture performance, experience cultural crafts and calligraphy, and is a fun way to learn Cantonese or Mandarin phrases while engaging with the community. You can find our events schedule below.

Visit the NZCLW official website for more exciting learning resources here.

Dance and music performance

New Zealand Chinese Culture and Arts Association is a leading performance and cultural group in Wellington. This award-winning group has performed at the parliament, Te Papa, and many other places. They will bring enthusiastic performances ranging from dance, music and a traditional tea ceremony. This is an event not to be missed!

Location: Te Māhanga | Karori Library

Time: Saturday 28 September, 12:30-1:30pm

Calligraphy experience with music performance

A calligraphy and face painting event at the library. Yafeng group is working with Wellington Chinese Language School to offer this fun filled culture experience for all will enjoy! Listen to a musical performance while watching and learning calligraphy and paper cutting. This day also coincides with the 2575-year commemoration of Confucius, the most well-known Chinese philosopher. No reservation is required, entry free.

Location: Te Awe Library

Time: Saturday 28 September 2:00-3:30pm