About us

The Confucius Institute promotes Chinese language, culture, and international exchange. Discover our people, partners, and contact details.

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.

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.