Chinese books donated to Auckland school for dedicated Chinese library

Mount Roskill Grammar School has been presented with 400 Chinese books to establish a dedicated Chinese Library at the school.

The books were presented by Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Minister for Ethnic Communities at the New Zealand Chinese Cultural and Book Festival on Saturday, which he officially opened.

Mount Roskill Grammar School principal Greg Watson, HoD Languages Alistair McAlpine and TIC Chinese Grace Rissetto were in attendance to accept the books.

The donation, by China International Publishing Group, was facilitated by the New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust for the ongoing commitment to promote the teaching of Chinese in New Zealand.

The inaugural New Zealand Chinese Language Week was held September 7-13, 2015. It has emerged in the context of a rapidly strengthening relationship between New Zealand and China and aims to increase Chinese language learning in New Zealand.

Mount Roskill Grammar School is the second New Zealand school to receive a large donation of books. During the first New Zealand Chinese Language Week, Wellington East Girls’ College was presented with a NZCLW Chinese library and this month, Fairfield College and Hillcrest High School in Hamilton will also be presented with books.

The New Zealand Chinese Cultural & Book Festival is held annually to help New Zealand Chinese maintain their heritage and to help Kiwis who are studying Chinese learn more about Chinese culture.

A major cultural event in the Auckland Chinese community, it attracts around 3000 visitors over two days.