The Chinese Teacher Inspiring Change at One of Auckland’s Toughest Schools

Staff Writer: Yiyi Xie
Image Source: Supplied

Manurewa Intermediate School in South Auckland is a place many Chinese parents and teachers avoid at all costs. With 50% of the students being Pacific Islanders, 37% Māori, and just one Chinese student, it’s gained a notorious reputation. The kids are physically strong, and many are labeled “troublemakers.” For most teachers, working here is a nightmare.

But for 26-year-old Faith, a Chinese teacher, this school is exactly where she wants to be.

As the only Chinese teacher at Manurewa Intermediate, Faith is driven by a belief in the power of education. She’s on a mission to help these students rise above the cycle of poverty and crime, aiming to inspire them to reach for a brighter future.

Shocked by South Auckland’s Poverty

Faith came to New Zealand from China with her parents when she was 11. At first, she didn’t speak the language, struggled to make friends, and missed the stability of life back home. The family’s situation worsened as they navigated financial hardships, and Faith found herself walking 40 minutes to school every day because she couldn’t afford the bus fare.

By 14, she started working part-time to help her family. From restaurant jobs, where burns and cuts were routine, to juggling multiple roles while studying, Faith went independence at a young age. It’s this resilience that helps her relate to the struggles of her students.

Teaching in a School with a Tough Reputation

Manurewa Intermediate is rated as a "Decile 1" school, meaning its students come from the lowest-income families in New Zealand. The school draws children from some of Auckland's most poverty-stricken and high-crime areas. Many students come from broken homes, and it’s not uncommon for them to face challenges like gang involvement, substance abuse, and violence at a young age.

But Faith wasn’t deterred. Inspired by the school principal, who once worked at one of Auckland’s top schools, she stayed. The principal had left his cushy job to take on the challenge of Manurewa, determined to create positive childhood memories that could change the course of these kids’ lives. This vision resonated deeply with Faith.

Earning Trust in a Tough Environment

Faith quickly learned that winning over the students and their families wouldn’t be easy. With her small stature and Chinese background, she faced immediate skepticism from the community. Many didn’t believe she would stay long or care enough to truly connect.

Determined to break through, Faith adjusted her approach. Teaching a class of athletic students, she knew they wouldn’t respect her unless she brought something “cool” to the table. She devised a system where students could earn extra rewards for completing their work, sparking their competitive spirit. Slowly, she began building relationships—showing the students she was there to stay and that she genuinely cared.

Every "Difficult" Student Has a Story

Faith soon realized that many of her most challenging students were dealing with unimaginable hardships. One of her students, *Alex, a tall Tongan boy, had witnessed his father being gunned by a gang and his mother critically injured. The trauma weighed heavily on Alex, but he masked his pain with humor and playfulness, rarely letting anyone see the depth of his struggles.

Despite his challenges, Faith saw Alex’s potential. She encouraged his leadership abilities, praised his strong work ethic, and helped him understand that he was capable of more than just surviving. At his graduation, he won four awards, and his mother, tearful with pride, thanked Faith for being the teacher who saw the good in her son.

A School on the Rise

Recently, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Manurewa Intermediate, putting the school in the spotlight. More parents are now looking to enroll their children. While the school’s academic results may not be the highest, it boasts the best attendance rate in the country—testament to the teachers’ dedication and the trust they’ve built with their students.

Faith’s days start early, with her arriving at school before 7 a.m. and often staying late to prepare lessons and run activities. Along with her colleagues, she goes beyond the usual teaching duties, visiting families to deliver food or handing out reward cards to students in person. For many of these children, school is their only constant in a chaotic world.

Faith believes that with the right support, these kids can break the cycle of poverty. It’s not about being strict or demanding perfection—it’s about showing up, being a steady presence in their lives, and reminding them of their worth.

For Faith, teaching at a “tough” school isn’t a burden—it’s her calling.

As her principal says, “This is how we show we care.”