About us

The Confucius Institute at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington was formally established and opened in June 2010 as a partnership between Victoria University of Wellington and Xiamen University in China, making it part of a worldwide association of over 500 Confucius Institutes.

The Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington has won the Outstanding Confucius Institute (先进孔院) award twice—in 2015 and 2019.

In September 2020, the University renewed its cooperation agreement with Xiamen University on the operation and management of the Confucius Institute.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (then Vice President) launched the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington in 2010.

In 2015 Tony Browne accepts the Outstanding Confucius Institute (先进孔院) award award from Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong.

CIVUW staff receive the 2019 award shown here with the Xiamen University President Zhang Rong (centre).

Vision and role

The role of the Confucius Institute is to build New Zealanders’ understanding of and familiarity with China, its language, culture and people. The Confucius Institute provides opportunities for New Zealanders to learn Chinese-in schools and in tailored classes. It builds knowledge of China’s long and rich culture by bringing in artists, writers, and performers to give New Zealand audiences an experience of Chinese traditional and contemporary culture, often in collaboration with Kiwi artists and performers.

As part of the University, the Confucius Institute contributes to enhancing scholarship about China and building academic links with China, especially with Confucius Institute partner, Xiamen University. The Confucius Institute is part of the University's strategy to build its engagement with China.