The Otago Area "Chinese Language Teaching and Learning Prize Giving Ceremony" was grandly held at Constance Hall of Columba College in Dunedin from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on October 15, 2025. Hosted by the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury (hereafter referred to as "CIUC"), the event was filled with a warm atmosphere. Over 100 people, including award-winning students from the Otago Area of New Zealand's South Island, their parents, and supervising teachers, gathered to celebrate this grand occasion for Chinese language learning.

The awards ceremony was co-hosted by Li Yuanmei, a volunteer from CIUC, and Hebe Song, a Year 12 student from Columba College. Aaron Everett, Deputy Principal of Columba College; Antony Deaker, Head of Dunedin Economic Development; and Song Zhifang, Foreign Director of CIUC, delivered speeches respectively to extend warm congratulations to the award-winning students.

Subsequently, Erika Reilly and Benji Pickering, students from Bayfield High School, presented a wonderful traditional Chinese lion dance performance. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, cheering for their excellent show.

At 4:15 pm, the award-presentation session officially began. Aaron Everett presented awards to outstanding learners in the primary and junior high school categories, while Antony Deaker awarded outstanding students in the senior high school category. Afterwards, Saffy Madison-Weatherall, an award-winning Year 11 student from Columba College, performed a fan dance with strong Chinese cultural style. Saffy has always been passionate about Chinese language learning. She also participated in the China Summer Camp organized by CIUC in September this year, and the trip to China left a deep impression on her. She told her supervising teacher that she would work harder to learn Chinese well, gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, and strive to be an envoy for friendship between China and New Zealand.

Song Zhifang, Foreign Director of CIUC, hosted the lucky draw session and presented awards related to the 2025 New Zealand Chinese Calligraphy Competition (Otago Area). Among the recipients, Columba College won the "Best School" title in the Otago Area, and Ms. Ivy Ding and volunteer Li Yuanmei were awarded "Best Supervising Teachers".

Reilly Liao and Sophie Su, both Year 11 students from Columba College, gave a joint performance playing the Guzheng and Dizi, demonstrating the unique charm of Chinese music. Huang Dong, Chinese Director of CIUC, presented certificates and prizes to students who won the 2025 HSK High Score Award.

The ceremony concluded successfully at 5:00 pm, with all participants taking a group photo to commemorate the occasion. As the most important annual Chinese language event in the Otago Area of New Zealand's South Island, this awards ceremony is a festival for Chinese language learners. It not only recognizes outstanding learners but also further encourages and promotes the spread and development of Chinese language education in New Zealand's South Island.