Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School student Harper Stull has taken out first place in the Wellington regional final of the 2026 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Language Proficiency Competition.
Stull travelled to Wellington on May 23 with the school’s Mandarin language tutor Miss Li to compete in the event, which was held at Rutherford House at Victoria University of Wellington’s Pipitea campus.
The competition was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand and organised by the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington.
Stull impressed judges with a traditional Chinese dance performance and an interview conducted in Mandarin.
In a post on social media, Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School praised Harper’s dedication and preparation leading up to the competition.
“Miss Li and Harper spent the last couple of weeks working hard on Harper’s Mandarin speaking, and Harper put the mahi into learning the traditional dance she performed so gracefully,” the school said.
Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School student Harper Stull with her tutor Miss Li. Photo / Supplied
The school also acknowledged Miss Li for securing funding through the Confucius Institute to allow both tutor and student to travel to Wellington for the competition.
More than 100 people attended the regional final, including 34 contestants, Chinese language teachers and parents.
Speakers at the event included Tang Jun, counsellor for educational, scientific and cultural affairs at the Chinese Embassy, and Sam Mackay, deputy director of international relations at Victoria University of Wellington.
According to organisers, the “Chinese Bridge” competition aims to support Chinese language education while strengthening cultural connections and understanding between New Zealand and China.
Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School student Harper Stull impressed judges with an interview conducted in Mandarin. Photo / Supplied
Winners of the primary, secondary and tertiary categories now have the opportunity to travel to China to compete in the global final of the competition.
Ōtūmoetai Intermediate School congratulated both Harper and Miss Li on the achievement.
“Congratulations Harper and Miss Li from OIS!” the school said.