Eric Koh is on fire selling East Auckland.
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AWARD-WINNING VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY – NZCNA Thursday, February 21, 2019
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Our schools unaffected by politics with China By FARIDA MASTER
F
ears about the apparent chilling of economic ties with China is affecting our international student quotas in east Auckland seems unfounded, according to some local schools. The Air New Zealand plane being turned back from China, as well as a delay in Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s ’s planned China visit, and the ongoing Huawei debate (over the security of its technologies in 5G network) with China has sparked controversy about a strained relationship with New Zealand’s major trading partner. Now national media are suggesting this is spilling over into the education sector, one this country’s biggest exports and there’s talk relations with China could impact the influx of international students from China enrolling in local schools. Alan McIntyre, principal of Owairoa Primary School, says the current so-called “political standoff” does not seem to be affecting the school’s intake of Chinese students. “The Chinese flag hung high on the flagpole last Friday evening at the Board
of Trustees chairman’s place, as a token of goodwill and togetherness at the celebration BBQ of Owairoa Primary School and International Students and their parents from Sister School Chaotian Primary School from Guangzhou, China,” he says. “This Sister School relationship reflects the strong connections that Owairoa have built with Chinese Government Officials, Education New Zealand representatives in China, Sister School Principal, staff, students and parents of the Chinese school. “We continue to hold hands with our Chinese brothers and sisters and continue to forge ahead, developing this educational foundation that is so important for the future of New Zealand from an educational, trade and global citizenship perspective.” He says that more than 10 per cent of the international students at Owairoa come to New Zealand from Chins. “Our China-New Zealand connections are going from strength to strength with a large number of international short and long term students choosing our school as the provider of a Kiwi educational
experience each year,” he says. Ian Dickinson, principal of Pigeon Mountain Primary School, says it was only last week that the school hosted a visit from a group of students from their sister school in Zhejiang province, “and we are anticipating having a number of our own students make a return trip to the school in China to coincide with the annual conference of Ningbo and Auckland principals, planned for September this year. "In fact, the details of the conference are just being discussed”. He expects the cooperation and collaboration with colleagues in Ningbo to continue to thrive. “We are focused on educational matters, and we have made good steps with online STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths) programmes between our NZ students and their peers in China. “I’m anticipating that our relationship, which has been founded on mutual benefit for our schools and students, to remain as it has always been, and for it to be unaffected by the current political climate. ➤ Turn to Page 2
Vol 48, No 7
Pakuranga local Ian North is walking at least 47km to help raise funds for his grandson, Elijah North (pictured) who suffers from Microcephaly and an undiagnosed genetic condition. Photo NZDF
Walk for wonder boy By THERESE HENKIN Ian North plans to walk at least 47 kilometres from the Bombay Hills to the Cenotaph outside Auckland’s War Memorial Museum. And that’s only if they take the short route, the 68-year-old Pakuranga resident says.
But he’s got a very good reason for taking on such a crazy challenge. Ian is joining the last leg of a 700km walk organised to raise funds for his grandson Elijah North, who was born with microcephaly and an undiagnosed genetic condition. The #Walkforwonderboy
mission is a walk from Wellington to Auckland that was set up by Elijah’s mum, Laura and dad, Ian’s son, Tane North. Being born with microcephaly means three-and-a-half year old Elijah has a small head, caused by abnormal brain development. ➤ Turn to Page 2
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