Auckland Taiwan Alumni Association Event Radiates Taiwanese Flavor; New Zealand Youth Share Their Taiwan Stories
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland hosted an alumni event for New Zealand youth who have studied in Taiwan. Participants enjoyed Taiwanese cuisine, shared their experiences with studies and internships, and deepened their connections.
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Central News Agency, Taipei, 14th — The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland held the 2026 'Auckland Taiwan Alumni Association' event on the 13th, attracting over 50 New Zealand youths who have studied Mandarin, been exchange students, interned at companies, worked, or participated in cultural exchanges in Taiwan. A youth who interned in Taiwan shared that the efficiency and innovation of Taiwanese industries were impressive, and the experience has been a great help to their career.
The event was filled with a strong Taiwanese atmosphere. The office specially prepared Taiwanese specialty foods such as braised pork rice (luroufan), salt and pepper chicken (yansuji), Taiwanese sausage, aiyu jelly with lemon, and taro ball dessert with red beans. Many alumni reminisced about their life in Taiwan while savoring the familiar tastes. Many joked that it felt like 'an instant return to a Taiwanese night market,' while others mentioned that the human touch, convenient lifestyle, and safe environment of Taiwan were parts they fondly missed.
A press release from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland stated that since its establishment in 2023, the 'Auckland Taiwan Alumni Association' has become an important platform for friends of Taiwan in New Zealand and is one of over 90 such alumni association networks worldwide. Over the past four years, it has successively invited members to participate in youth exchanges, film screenings, Taiwan Day, and National Day receptions, continuously connecting friends in New Zealand who have deep ties with Taiwan.
Director-General of the Auckland office, Jessica Chen, said in her speech that although many alumni come from different backgrounds, they have all established a deep friendship with Taiwan through their experiences of studying, working, or living there.
She pointed out that Taiwan's recent economic and technological performance has been outstanding, making it a core of the global high-tech and artificial intelligence supply chains. Taiwan is also an important model of democracy and freedom in Asia, with a society that is open, diverse, and full of innovative energy.
Chen also mentioned that in the face of continuous pressure from China in military, diplomatic, economic, and information warfare aspects, Taiwan has always remained calm and resilient, continuing to promote market diversification, strengthen national defense and social resilience, and deepen cooperation with like-minded countries.
During the event, several New Zealand youths shared their profound experiences in Taiwan. A student who had studied Mandarin in Taiwan said it was the most friendly and free environment for learning Chinese. A youth who had interned at a tech company in Taiwan mentioned that the efficiency and innovative capacity of Taiwan's industry were impressive and that the experience was extremely helpful for their future career. A participant from the Maori community shared that Taiwan's indigenous culture felt familiar and close, making the exchange between them very natural and deep.
The office also introduced the various exchange and development opportunities currently offered by Taiwan, including Mandarin scholarships, youth internships, working holidays, Employment Gold Cards, and digital nomad programs. Many of the young attendees expressed their hope to travel, study, work, or engage in more collaborations in Taiwan again in the future.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland stated that the alumni are the most precious bridge for Taiwan-New Zealand exchange. By continuously holding alumni events, they not only sustain the friendship with Taiwan but also allow more people in New Zealand society to see a real and vibrant Taiwan through personal stories. (Editor: Chou Yung-chieh) 1150514
The event was filled with a strong Taiwanese atmosphere. The office specially prepared Taiwanese specialty foods such as braised pork rice (luroufan), salt and pepper chicken (yansuji), Taiwanese sausage, aiyu jelly with lemon, and taro ball dessert with red beans. Many alumni reminisced about their life in Taiwan while savoring the familiar tastes. Many joked that it felt like 'an instant return to a Taiwanese night market,' while others mentioned that the human touch, convenient lifestyle, and safe environment of Taiwan were parts they fondly missed.
A press release from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland stated that since its establishment in 2023, the 'Auckland Taiwan Alumni Association' has become an important platform for friends of Taiwan in New Zealand and is one of over 90 such alumni association networks worldwide. Over the past four years, it has successively invited members to participate in youth exchanges, film screenings, Taiwan Day, and National Day receptions, continuously connecting friends in New Zealand who have deep ties with Taiwan.
Director-General of the Auckland office, Jessica Chen, said in her speech that although many alumni come from different backgrounds, they have all established a deep friendship with Taiwan through their experiences of studying, working, or living there.
She pointed out that Taiwan's recent economic and technological performance has been outstanding, making it a core of the global high-tech and artificial intelligence supply chains. Taiwan is also an important model of democracy and freedom in Asia, with a society that is open, diverse, and full of innovative energy.
Chen also mentioned that in the face of continuous pressure from China in military, diplomatic, economic, and information warfare aspects, Taiwan has always remained calm and resilient, continuing to promote market diversification, strengthen national defense and social resilience, and deepen cooperation with like-minded countries.
During the event, several New Zealand youths shared their profound experiences in Taiwan. A student who had studied Mandarin in Taiwan said it was the most friendly and free environment for learning Chinese. A youth who had interned at a tech company in Taiwan mentioned that the efficiency and innovative capacity of Taiwan's industry were impressive and that the experience was extremely helpful for their future career. A participant from the Maori community shared that Taiwan's indigenous culture felt familiar and close, making the exchange between them very natural and deep.
The office also introduced the various exchange and development opportunities currently offered by Taiwan, including Mandarin scholarships, youth internships, working holidays, Employment Gold Cards, and digital nomad programs. Many of the young attendees expressed their hope to travel, study, work, or engage in more collaborations in Taiwan again in the future.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland stated that the alumni are the most precious bridge for Taiwan-New Zealand exchange. By continuously holding alumni events, they not only sustain the friendship with Taiwan but also allow more people in New Zealand society to see a real and vibrant Taiwan through personal stories. (Editor: Chou Yung-chieh) 1150514