New Zealand Principals' Delegation to China
New Zealand Principals' Delegation to China returns for 2025!
Every year the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury (CIUC) organises a delegation to China for school leaders. The delegation is an opportunity for school leaders to learn about China and experience the culture first-hand. Schools are expected to cover the cost of the flights to and from China, but Huazhong University of Science and Technology covers all expenses incurred within China.
In 2025, CIUC is delighted to announce the return of the New Zealand Principals' Delegation to China, which will take place from Saturday, 20th September 2025 – Monday, 29 September 2025.
Closing Date: The application form with accompanying attachments must be completed by 5:00 pm Friday, 28th February 2025 and submitted via email to dong.huang@canterbury.ac.nz.
For more information, please contact Dong Huang.
Email: dong.huang@canterbury.ac.nz or confucius-institute@canterbury.ac.nz
Phone: 03 369 4399
News about the 2019 Principals' Delegation to China?
The NZ South Island Principals’ Delegation to China completed its eleven days’ tour and returned to New Zealand on the 19th of April, 2019. The principals’ delegation consisted of principals and deputy principals from three South Island schools and leaders from the University of Canterbury.
During their stay in China, the principals visited Beijing, Wuhan and Shanghai, experiencing the extensive Chinese history and culture, as well as the rapid development of the Chinese economy.
After a short stay in Beijing, the principals stayed in Wuhan where Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) is located, the university in China partnered with the University of Canterbury to deliver the Confucius Institute. The delegations paid a visit to the Primary School and Middle School affiliated to HUST respectively. They also visited one of the top schools in the region, Huanggang High School. The principals had an opportunity to talk face-to-face with students and staff in these schools and learned a significant amount about the fundamentals of the Chinese educational system. During the trip, members of the delegation were given the opportunity to appreciate not only China’s significant achievements but also the challenges that presently confront China, some of which are particularly relevant to education practitioners in New Zealand.
The delegation explored some famous historical sites during their three days in Beijing. For most of the principals, this was their first experience of China. They were deeply impressed by the scope and grandeur of the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and Beihai Park. The delegation expressed their sincere thanks CIUC and HUST for organising this significant trip as well as offering support to their students at home for their study of the Chinese language and culture.
After this China trip, all the principals said that China is very different from what they expected before they came and now they have a better understanding of China and Chinese people. They returned to New Zealand with a commitment to ensure that Chinese be taught in their schools and they all expected that there would be greater cooperation in the future between the Chinese and NZ schools.
