PM gets behind New Zealanders learning Chinese
In a video recorded especially for New Zealand Chinese Language Week, the Prime Minister encourages more Kiwis to learn
the Chinese language.
Chinese Language Week builds on the Government’s objective to strengthen our relationship with Asia and to actively
foster our Kiwi – Chinese community here in New Zealand, she says.
“It’s a special way of helping New Zealanders becoming more familiar with China and its people and enhancing cultural
understanding. And celebrating a language that plays an important part in many New Zealand communities.”
Prime Minister Ardern thanks the New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust for all the work it does during this week and
throughout the year.
New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust co-chairwoman Jo Coughlan says Chinese Language Week aims to promote the
benefits and opportunities of learning more about Chinese language and culture.
''In the next few years, visitors from China are set to overtake Australia as New Zealand's number one source of
tourists, and yet our language skills and cultural understanding are sadly lagging behind.
''New Zealand Chinese Language Week is a Kiwi-led initiative aimed at encouraging New Zealanders to give Chinese a go.
''It's not as hard as you think.''
A number of organisations from across the country are getting behind the week, by holding over 100 events across New
Zealand.
One of those organisations is the New Zealand Police, posting a video of three staff, including Assistant Commissioner
Hamish McCardle, using their language skills to encourage people to wear their seat belts and to engage with police as
part of the community.
The videos are available through the NZ Chinese Language Week Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/nzchineselanguageweek/?ref=br_rs