Videos of support for the Rewi Alley Foundation of New Zealand 

On Saturday, the 2nd of December, 2023, the Rewi Alley Foundation of New Zealand was officially launched at the Hurunui District Council Chambers in Amberley .

We received best wishes, and  an overwhelming number  of letters of support and acknowledgement either in person, via video link or via email as follows.

Respected trustees of Rewi Alley Foundation,

Greetings!

On this commemorative occasion, I extend warm congratulations on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CCP Honghu City Committee to the establishment of the Rewi Alley Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to honoring and preserving the name of Mr Rewi Alley, promoting his significant connections with the Canterbury region, and serving as a repository for artifacts related to Rewi Alley after its establishment. This not only serves as a tribute to Rewi Alley but also functions as a means of safeguarding artifacts associated with him. Coincidentally, in Mr Rewi Alley’s former residence in Honghu, items from his lifetime and objects reflecting the interactions between Honghu and the Hurunui District of New Zealand in recent years are preserved. Here, we can witness the history of Rewi Alley’s five visits to Honghu, grasp the “Honghu Spirit” refined and summarised by Mr Alley, and witness the establishment and development of friendship between Honghu and the Hurunui District of New Zealand owing to both of our connections with Mr Alley.

I am well aware that the establishment of the foundation is the result of the diligent efforts and selfless dedication of all its members. It is your hard work and devotion that have enabled the Rewi Alley Foundation to be established today and to continue growing in the future. I hope that Honghu can collaborate with the foundation to promote and preserve the “Rewi Alley Spirit”.

Lastly, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you once again and wish the Rewi Alley Foundation to continue to research, to inspire, inspiration, and to advance the spirit and legacy of Rewi Alley for the benefit of the public.

 (Signature of Mme Xie Qiong, Director)

Foreign Affairs Office of the CCP Honghu City Committee

November 2023

Tena katou tena katou tena tatou katua!
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon, 大家下午好！
I’m honored to attend the official launch of the Rewi Alley Foundation. First of all, on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, I would like to extend my congratulations on the establishment of the Foundation. 首先，我谨代表中国驻克赖斯特彻奇总领馆，对基金会的成立表示热烈祝贺。再次感谢远道而来的马廷礼副主任和甘肃省代表团一行。
Thank you very much, Mayor Marie, Michelle and Allison for your great efforts to carry forward the Rewi Alley spirit and organize today’s event. I’d also like to thank Member of Parliament Stuart Smith, and all our friends who are here today.
The official launch of Rewi Alley Foundation is really worth celebrating. It is great to see that the members of the Foundation come not only from Hurunui, Christchurch and Selwyn, but also from all over New Zealand, including relatives of Rewi Alley.
The Foundation’s objective is to promote and preserve the legacy of Rewi Alley. It is true that Rewi Alley left a lot of valuable material and cultural heritage for Shandan and Canterbury, but his legacy is more of spiritual.I think there are three main points: First, Shandan Bailie School and the education concept of “hand and brain”. Second, the Gung Ho Movement and “Work hard, work together”. Third, the New Zealand-China Friendship Society and the China-New Zealand friendship. 基金会的宗旨是保护和弘扬路易艾黎的遗产。诚然，艾黎为甘肃山丹、为坎特伯雷留下了许多宝贵的物质文化遗产，但他的遗产更多是精神上的，我想主要有三点：一是山丹培黎学校和“手脑并用”的教育理念。二是工合运动和“努力干、一起干”的精神。三是他积极推进的新中友好和在他提议下成立的新中友协。
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of China New Zealand diplomatic relations, and next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. The Rewi Alley Spirit is all the more important at present. To carry forward China-New Zealand friendship and advance China-New Zealand relations in the new era, we still need to work hard and work together with our hands and brains.去年是中新建交50周年，明年是中新全面战略伙伴关系建立10周年，弘扬艾黎精神在当下更具有特殊重要意义。在新时代传承中新友好，推进中新关系，依然需要我们手脑并用，努力干，一起干。
Once again congratulations to the establishment of the Foundation . I sincerely hope that the Foundation can further protect and promote Rewi Alley’s legacy, encourage more organizations in both countries to study Rewi Alley, further inherit and carry forward the spirit of Rewi Alley. Let’s work together to make new contributions to China-New Zealand friendship! 衷心祝愿路易·艾黎基金会保护好、推广好艾黎的遗产，促进和鼓励新中两国对艾黎及其精神的研究，进一步传承和发扬艾黎精神，共同为中新友谊做出新的贡献！
Thank you all! 谢谢！