The power of trading paintings

˜ e pupils at Te Kura o Manunui in Brookÿ eld are quite savvy about China.

School leaders Devon, Ryley, Caleb, Chanel, Te Ariki, Paikea, Shaylah and Kaleb – that’s them in the photo – will tell you Chinese colours have meanings. Not many of us know that.

˜ ey’ll also tell you the lucky colour in one of the world’s largest and most populated countries is red and that each year has a name, like Year of the Rat. “Chinese people love dumplings,” the kids said in a collective message to ˜ e Weekend Sun. “And so do we.”

˜ e dumplings sealed the deal.

˜ ey like that commonality with their Chinese counterparts, they like building global bridges and friendships. “We even learned Mandarin from a Chinese tutor. We know lots of words already.”

˜ e New Zealand China Friendship Society is further assisting the process with its primary school art exchange. One image sent to NZ from Jiangxi Province, in the east of the People’s Republic, shows Chinese, Maori and Pakeha children, arms entwined, sitting over China and New Zealand ˛ ags and surrounded by images of animals, pagodas, buildings, space travel and high speed trains. It’s a pictorial blend of two cultures.

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“It’s a cool experience to learn about other cultures and how they live,” say the kids. Te Kura o Manunui, formerly Brookÿ eld School, will be reciprocating – submitting their own work, their own respect and understanding, to the art competition. Selected works will be sent back to the children at the Chinese school.

˜ e Friendship Society is this year launching a Tauranga secondary schools art competition with a $100 prize for each of ÿ ve categories. “I know teachers are busy but you just have to give students a sheet paper and let them go,” says John Hodgson of the Friendship Society.

˜ e categories include a head and shoulders portrait of peacemaker, activist, writer and bridge builder Rewi Alley, NZ’s greatest ever connection with mainland China, and a sketch and painting of Alley at work. ˜ e other categories are calligraphy of a chenyu.

“It’s a four character poem,” explains John. ˜ ey have to use some English, explain what it means and why they chose it. ˜ e ÿ fth category is an art work, in any media, depicting NZ-China friendship. “It is helping create understanding,” says John. “˜ ey will research their work and gain knowledge. And with knowledge comes understanding.”

A ÿ rst-hand experience?

˜ e society is also looking to create a ÿ rst-hand experience – a 10 or 12-day exchange trip to China for a dozen students.

“We are looking to take traditional Maori culture to China – I’d like a group that would give young Chinese a good understanding.”

And some contemporary Kiwi culture. “Perhaps touch rugby, mixed teams from both countries playing touch. Just an idea.”

Meanwhile the team at Brookÿ eld is still thirsting for knowledge on China. “We’d like to know more because one day we too might travel there.” Schools interested in being involved, or for more information, call John Hodgson on 027 284 9738.

Hunter Wells

Avocado association CEO Jen Scoular resigns

NZ Avocado Growers’ Association CEO Jen Scoular has resigned after 12 years in the role.

NZAGA chair Linda Flegg says Jen has served the industry and growers tirelessly “and her achievements along the way are many”. “Under her leadership industry value has increased from $82m in 2011-2012 to $231m in 2021, and the New Zealand market value from $19m to $62m in 2021-2022.

“During her tenure the industry successfully achieved market access for avocados into both the China and India market, joined the biosecurity partnership with the Government and achieved the ÿ rst horticulture primary growth partnership in 2014, which ÿ nished December 2022.”

Jen remains CEO to mid-August and will take the opportunity to farewell some of the 1400 avocados growers across growing regions. Jen remains an avocado grower and NZAGA member.

Linda says on behalf of the board, growers and industry parties “we thank Jen for her commitment to delivering value to growers through a very strong growth period, and growing the visibility of our sector, and of avocados, both in NZ and globally.

She has left a legacy that will require some big shoes to ÿ ll.”