Mandarin is the fourth most spoken language in the country, after English, Maori and Samoan. Read more at straitstimes.com.
WELLINGTON – For 27-year-old New Zealander Briar Topp, learning Chinese has brought her opportunities both in school and at work.
Ms Topp also speaks basic French and German, and is currently learning Cantonese and Arabic. She is also speaking Mandarin to her one-year-old son in the hope of giving him a head start in learning Chinese. According to its organiser, the Chinese language campaign is the first of its kind in any Western country. It was started by former Labour Member of Parliament Raymond Huo and businesswoman Jo Coughlan.
Data from the Ministry of Education indicates an almost twofold increase in the number of students learning Chinese in secondary schools between 2013 and 2020.New Zealand manages China relationship carefully and avoids being caught in rivalry with US Mandarin and Cantonese story-telling activities are held in various public libraries around the country during New Zealand Chinese Language Week, such as this one in Auckland on Sept 17. PHOTO: LANGUAGE MONKEY
“People seem to enjoy the week and think it is worthwhile, and they continue to participate. We have support from the Prime Minister, from the leader of the opposition, from mayors and councillors across New Zealand. We have support from schools across the country,” Ms Coughlan said.Run on a small budget of about NZ$200,000 to NZ$300,000 a year, NZCLW receives funding support from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and government-affiliated non-governmental organisations.
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