Wellington Chinese Association

17/06/2026

Check out the NZ Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro! In one of the principal roles we have wonderful mezzo-soprano Cecilia Yufan Zhang, who grew up in China and NZ and is now furthering her career in London. Cecilia speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese and would be happy to speak for comment or an interview about the production, and being brought home by NZ Opera to perform as Cherubino.

The show is 17-21st June at St James – with live Simplified Chinese surtitles available on personal smartphone devices at all performances.

Tickets are on sale now!

Tonight's the night ✨we're just a few hours away from raising the curtain on The Marriage of Figaro in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, and we couldn't be more excited!

Come along a little early to hear our excellent Conductor James Judd and Assistant Director Eleanor Bishop giving a pre-show talk, sharing special insights into the production and rehearsal process. Join us from 6.30pm, upstairs in the first floor gallery of the St James Theatre.

We still have a handful of tickets available for each performance, so if you've been on the fence, now's the time to make your move...

Ka kite i reira – we'll see you at the show!

NZ Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro
📅 17 & 19 June, 7.30pm
📅 21 June, 2:30pm
📍 St James Theatre, Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington
Book now: https://loom.ly/uL65ne4

📸 Stephen A'Court

09/06/2026

Step into Wellington’s hidden Chinatown!!

Celebrate Chinese Language Week on Friday July 3rd, with Chinese footprints, led by Lynette Shum (Oral History Advisor, National Library of New Zealand) and historian Nigel Murphy.

This 2 to 2½ hour event starts at the Wellington Trades' Hall Building with a scene-setting introduction, then takes attendees on a tour exploring significant sites for Wellington's early Chinese community, including businesses, eateries, and Haining Street's 'Chinatown'.

Much of this has been erased and now largely invisible to passers-by. The tour will also draw on images, ephemera and oral history from the collections of the Alexander Turnbull Library, and personal family history.

We conclude where we started, with an activity over a pot of Chinese tea and snacks.

There are only a few spaces left, register below!

EDIT: the event is now full, please email [email protected] to go on a waitlist

‘Chinese footprints’, led by Lynette Shum (Oral History Advisor, National Library of New Zealand) and historian Nigel Murphy, will take attendees on a walking tour exploring the rich history of the Chinese in Wellington.

01/06/2026

Chan family residency:

The applications for the 2026-27 Chan Family Residency are now open! This one-month residency focuses on projects that enhance understandings of and engagement with Chinese Aotearoa, whether historical, social, cultural, literary or, more broadly, gardens, buildings, foodways, etc. Projects should make use of the rich Wellington-based archives of relevant materials and/or resident expertise. The residency can be undertaken from November 2026 to February 2027. Applications are due 4 August 2026.

For more information:

Exciting opportunity for a one-month residency to undertake a project at Wai-te-ata Press | Studio of the Waters of Dawn | 曉水齋, funded by the Chan Family Trust.

22/05/2026

Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) 2026 registrations are now OPEN!

YLC is a biennial camp run by the New Zealand Chinese Association. YLC is a comprehensive leadership, cultural and team building experience for Chinese students across the community. Create unforgettable memories and make long-lasting friendships! We would love our year 11, 12 and 13 students to get involved and become the future leaders of our community.

Dates: 17th - 20th of December 2026
Venue: Camp Adair, 2487 Hunua Road, Hunua, RD 3 Papakura
Costs: $240
Age: Year 11 - Year 13

Website for further information: https://nzcaylc.weebly.com/
Registration form: https://forms.gle/

We're excited to let you all know that registrations for YLC 2026 are now open!

YLC (Youth Leadership Camp) is a biennial camp that is a highlight on the NZCA calendar, and we'd love to see strong representation from your branch this year.

Please find attached the YLC 2026 flyer with all the details, including dates and location. Please also visit our website for further details: https://nzcaylc.weebly.com/

To register, please use/share the following link:
https://forms.gle/FqGsyMS88vgegdo26

We encourage you to share this with your young people (year 11-13) and get registrations in early, as spaces are limited.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Ngā mihi,

YLC Registrations

27/04/2026

Apply now for Academic Awards!
Applications are due: 17 MAY 2026 (extended closing date)

Awards to celebrate achievements across NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3, Scholarship, and excellence in Chinese language studies.
Eligibility Criteria applies

Scan QR code to apply

15/03/2026

🗺️ Weekend Event Site Map – Everything in One Place!
To help everyone make the most of the weekend, we’ve shared the official site map so you can easily see where everything is happening.
✔️ Main stage & performances
✔️ Food trucks & drink stations
✔️ Market & vendor stalls
✔️ Kids & family activities
✔️ Rest areas, bathrooms & first aid
Have a look before you arrive so you can plan your day and not miss a thing! 🎉

📍 Check the site map below!
Tag your friends, decide your must visit spots, and we’ll see you there! 🙌

15/03/2026

15/03/2026

14/03/2026

Wellington Lantern Festival video :)

12/03/2026

Kia Ora koutou, hope everyone is well :)

This is a call out on behalf of NZCA Wellington branch for some helpers for the lantern festival this weekend

Specifically, we are looking for a few people keen to help out at the lantern making stall, which involves giving out/selling lanterns or supervising young kids. However, other helpers who are keen are also appreciated as there are a range of other tasks too (Eg selling drinks)

NZCA Wellington branch is one of the many organisers that is helping to run this event. NZCA greatly appreciate volunteers to help out events like this that help promote our culture and heritage and provide these events free to the public

NZCA supports its members by contributing (financially and non financially) towards NZCA initiates such as YLC, LDC and Pāruru, to subside the cost for members. So if you have any spare time to give back and help out please let us know

What: helping out at the lantern festival
When: Sat 14th and Sun 15th March
Where: Anglican Chinese Mission Church, Glenmore Street, and Botanical Gardens
Time: 4-8pm (you don’t have to be available the whole time, eg 1-2 hour slots is fine)

Refreshments will be available for volunteers

Thanks!
Chelsea Wong She