Chinese New Zealander
Encyclopedia
A Chinese New Zealander is a New Zealander
of Chinese heritage. They are part of the ethnic Chinese
diaspora (or Overseas Chinese
). Chinese New Zealanders are the fifth largest ethnic group in New Zealand
.
The first records of ethnic Chinese in New Zealand were the immigrants from Guangdong
province, China, who arrived during the 1860s goldrush era. Due to this historical influx, there is still a distinct Chinese community in the Southern city of Dunedin
, whose mayor Peter Chin
is of Chinese descent. However, most Chinese New Zealanders live in the North Island, and are of more recent migrant heritage. Chinese New Zealanders may broadly be defined into two categories; the earlier generation, and recent or temporary migrants that have arrived since the 1980s.
At the last census in 2006, Chinese New Zealanders accounted for 3.7% of the total population, the largest Asian ethnic group in New Zealand (approx 42% of all Asian New Zealanders). As at the 2001 Census, 75% of Chinese in New Zealand were born overseas. In 2002, the New Zealand Government publicly apologised to the Chinese for the poll tax that had been levied on their ancestors a century ago.
, also known as the 'Poll Tax', aimed specifically at Chinese migrants. Despite official barriers the Chinese still managed to develop their communities in this period, and numbers were bolstered when some wives and children from Guangdong Province were allowed in as refugees just before World War II. Chain migration from Guangdong continued until the new Communist Chinese regime stopped emigration. This original group of Cantonese migrants and their descendants are referred to in New Zealand as 'Old Generation' Chinese, and are now a minority within the overall Chinese population.
began establishing themselves in New Zealand between the 1960s and 1980s. These included ethnic Chinese refugees from Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos following the conflicts and upheavals in those countries; Commonwealth (i.e. English educated) professional migrants from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia; and Samoan Chinese as part of the substantial Pacific labour migrations of the 1970s.
Between 1987–96, a fundamental change in New Zealand’s immigration policy led to a substantial influx of ethnic Chinese business, investor, and professional migrants, particularly from Hong Kong and Taiwan. This period saw a spike in overall migration from the Asian region, including other Chinese people from East Asia and Southeast Asia. New Zealand's immigration system increasingly experienced the impact of global events, such as the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the fall of Suharto.
Party fought the 1996 general election on an anti-immigration and very thinly veiled 'anti-Asian' platform, winning the balance of power and altering immigration policy towards skills-based immigration. From the late 1990s to the 2000s, skilled migrants from Mainland China became the new significant demographic group of Chinese immigrants.
However, despite much speculation, the political and administrative status of Chinese international students as non-residents has hampered the undertaking of verifiable research about their health, societal well-being or their actual level of involvement in crime.
According to the 2006 Social Report (New Zealand Ministry of Social Development), based on the 2005 Household Labour Force Survey, the 'Asian and other' category displayed the second-highest level of unemployment after New Zealand's indigenous people (the Māori) and the highest level of underemployment
. Possibly reflecting the asset-rich status of migrants as well as their barriers to employment, the 'Asian and other' category was simultaneously one of the most income-poor ethnic categories in the country while also being the ethnic category with the highest access to the internet. (Note: At this time, the 'Other' ethnic groups (Middle Eastern, African and Latin American) comprised less than 1% of the population, and the 'Asian' groups approximately 9%.)
Scientist
Dr Edmon Wong eminent former scientist - researched on plant and food biochemistry in New Zealand, the USA and Germany. Came to New Zealand 1940, via Hong Kong, attended school in Wellington, and gained a PhD
New Zealanders
New Zealanders, colloquially known as Kiwis, are citizens of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multiethnic society, and home to people of many different national origins...
of Chinese heritage. They are part of the ethnic Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
diaspora (or Overseas Chinese
Overseas Chinese
Overseas Chinese are people of Chinese birth or descent who live outside the Greater China Area . People of partial Chinese ancestry living outside the Greater China Area may also consider themselves Overseas Chinese....
). Chinese New Zealanders are the fifth largest ethnic group in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
The first records of ethnic Chinese in New Zealand were the immigrants from Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
province, China, who arrived during the 1860s goldrush era. Due to this historical influx, there is still a distinct Chinese community in the Southern city of Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, whose mayor Peter Chin
Peter Chin (mayor)
Peter Wing Ho Chin CNZM is a lawyer and was the 56th Mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand. He served two terms as Mayor from 2004 to 2010....
is of Chinese descent. However, most Chinese New Zealanders live in the North Island, and are of more recent migrant heritage. Chinese New Zealanders may broadly be defined into two categories; the earlier generation, and recent or temporary migrants that have arrived since the 1980s.
At the last census in 2006, Chinese New Zealanders accounted for 3.7% of the total population, the largest Asian ethnic group in New Zealand (approx 42% of all Asian New Zealanders). As at the 2001 Census, 75% of Chinese in New Zealand were born overseas. In 2002, the New Zealand Government publicly apologised to the Chinese for the poll tax that had been levied on their ancestors a century ago.
Early Immigrants
The first immigration to New Zealand took place on the strength of two invitations from New Zealand's Otago goldmining region to potential goldminers of Guangdong province in 1865. These original goldmining communities suffered discrimination due to racist ideology, the economic competition they represented to the Europeans, and because of the implied 'disloyalty' within their transient, sojourner outlook. While many believe there was a 'White New Zealand' policy similar to Australia's, New Zealand never had such a policy openly sanctioned and was open to Pacific Island immigration from its early history. However in the 1880s, openly sinophobic political ideology resulted in the New Zealand head taxNew Zealand head tax
New Zealand imposed a poll tax on Chinese immigrants during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The poll tax was effectively lifted in the 1930s following the invasion of China by Japan, and was finally repealed in 1944...
, also known as the 'Poll Tax', aimed specifically at Chinese migrants. Despite official barriers the Chinese still managed to develop their communities in this period, and numbers were bolstered when some wives and children from Guangdong Province were allowed in as refugees just before World War II. Chain migration from Guangdong continued until the new Communist Chinese regime stopped emigration. This original group of Cantonese migrants and their descendants are referred to in New Zealand as 'Old Generation' Chinese, and are now a minority within the overall Chinese population.
After the Second World War
Ethnic Chinese communities from countries other than ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
began establishing themselves in New Zealand between the 1960s and 1980s. These included ethnic Chinese refugees from Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos following the conflicts and upheavals in those countries; Commonwealth (i.e. English educated) professional migrants from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia; and Samoan Chinese as part of the substantial Pacific labour migrations of the 1970s.
Between 1987–96, a fundamental change in New Zealand’s immigration policy led to a substantial influx of ethnic Chinese business, investor, and professional migrants, particularly from Hong Kong and Taiwan. This period saw a spike in overall migration from the Asian region, including other Chinese people from East Asia and Southeast Asia. New Zealand's immigration system increasingly experienced the impact of global events, such as the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the fall of Suharto.
Recent issues
The nationalist New Zealand FirstNew Zealand First
New Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
Party fought the 1996 general election on an anti-immigration and very thinly veiled 'anti-Asian' platform, winning the balance of power and altering immigration policy towards skills-based immigration. From the late 1990s to the 2000s, skilled migrants from Mainland China became the new significant demographic group of Chinese immigrants.
International students
Mainland Chinese in New Zealand also include a substantial population of international students completing tertiary qualifications. These students, viewed by some as temporary residents, are often socially isolated from both mainstream and Chinese New Zealander society. There have been media reports of these groups facing victimisation from within their own communities as well as from the population as a whole, and as being involved in Asian crime syndicates.However, despite much speculation, the political and administrative status of Chinese international students as non-residents has hampered the undertaking of verifiable research about their health, societal well-being or their actual level of involvement in crime.
Composition
As of the most recent census, the majority of the overseas-born Chinese were under 25 years of age, and 12% had lived in New Zealand for less than one year. The median age of the Chinese ethnic group in New Zealand is younger than the national average.Employment
According to the 2001 Census, New Zealand-born Chinese had a higher median income (NZ$20,200) than other New Zealanders (NZ$18,500), but overseas-born Chinese New Zealanders had a median income less than half of the national median (NZ$7,900).According to the 2006 Social Report (New Zealand Ministry of Social Development), based on the 2005 Household Labour Force Survey, the 'Asian and other' category displayed the second-highest level of unemployment after New Zealand's indigenous people (the Māori) and the highest level of underemployment
Underemployment
Underemployment refers to an employment situation that is insufficient in some important way for the worker, relative to a standard. Examples include holding a part-time job despite desiring full-time work, and overqualification, where the employee has education, experience, or skills beyond the...
. Possibly reflecting the asset-rich status of migrants as well as their barriers to employment, the 'Asian and other' category was simultaneously one of the most income-poor ethnic categories in the country while also being the ethnic category with the highest access to the internet. (Note: At this time, the 'Other' ethnic groups (Middle Eastern, African and Latin American) comprised less than 1% of the population, and the 'Asian' groups approximately 9%.)
Politics
- Peter ChinPeter Chin (mayor)Peter Wing Ho Chin CNZM is a lawyer and was the 56th Mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand. He served two terms as Mayor from 2004 to 2010....
, Mayor of Dunedin, 'Old Generation' Cantonese New Zealander. Dunedin born Chinese, married to Noleen for 46 years, with four children and eight grandchildren. Forty three years a practicing lawyer in Dunedin underpins 15 years of Council experience. He has been a Dunedin City Councillor since 1995 and was elected Mayor of Dunedin in 2004. Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 in acknowledgment of his services to local body and community affairs. A member of the NZ Chinese Poll Tax Advisory Team, chairperson of the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust,involved in the performing arts. Has performed for Dunedin Opera Company and Dunedin Operatic Society, and comperes concerts; featured in the film "Illustrious Energy", TV documentary series "Hanlon" and the TV series "Gold".Was defeated as Mayor on 9 October 2010. - Meng FoonMeng FoonMeng Liu Foon is the current mayor of Gisborne, New Zealand. He is one of a handful of people of Chinese descent to have become a mayor in New Zealand. He is fluent in English, Cantonese, and Māori....
, Mayor of Gisborne , 'Old Generation' Cantonese New Zealander - Raymond HuoRaymond HuoRaymond Huo is a Member of Parliament in New Zealand, and the New Zealand Labour Party's first MP of Chinese descent...
, Member of ParliamentMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
since 2008, 1st generation mainland Chinese. - Pansy WongPansy WongPansy Yu Fong Wong is a former New Zealand politician. She was New Zealand's first Asian MP, serving as a member of parliament for the National Party from 1996 to 2011...
, New Zealand's first ethnic Chinese MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, first Asian MP, and first Asian Cabinet Minister, 1970s Generation Hong Kong migrant New Zealander of Shanghai heritage.
Arts and sports
- Bic RungaBic RungaBriolette Kah Bic Runga MNZM is a New Zealand pop recording artist whose first solo album, Drive, debuted at number one on the New Zealand RIANZ charts. She has since become one of the highest-selling New Zealand artists in recent history...
, singer/songwriter, of Māori (indigenous New Zealander) and Chinese Malaysian parentage. - Chang, presenter with The EdgeThe Edge (radio station)The Edge FM is a MediaWorks New Zealand New Zealand youth radio network, playing predominantly pop, rock and R&B. The network's flagship is The Morning Madhouse with Jay Jay Feeney, Mike Puru and Dom Harvey....
radio station. - Li Ming HuLi Ming HuLi Ming Hu is a New Zealand born actress who is of Chinese descent.-Biography:Since 2003, She has become known for her role as Li Mei Chen in New Zealand's popular TV show, Shortland Street, in which she portrays a young, beautiful and intelligent doctor who strives to be the best there is in...
, known for her role as Li Mei Chen in New Zealand's popular TV show, Shortland StreetShortland StreetShortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
, second-generation New Zealander of Singaporean and Taiwanese parentage. - Raybon KanRaybon KanRaybon Kan is a Masterton, New Zealand-born Han Chinese comedian and newspaper columnist.-Early life and family:Kan's family moved to Wellington, New Zealand soon after his birth, where he began his education at St Mark's Church School and continued through to Wellington College where he was...
, comedian, second-generation New Zealander of Mainland Chinese parentage. - Li Chunli, gold medal-winning table tennis champion, 1980s generation migrant New Zealander and Mainland Chinese.
- Caleigh Cheung, actress and fashion writer, known for her roles on Shortland StreetShortland StreetShortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in...
and Ride with the Devil, New Zealand born Cantonese with Hong Kong and Old Generation parentage. - Wing (singer)Wing (singer)Wing Han Tsang , popularly known simply as Wing, is a New Zealand singer of Hong Kong origin. She is known for her unique, offbeat singing style.-Career:...
singer, emigrated from Hong Kong. - Robyn Wong, NZ champion mountain biker, represented NZ at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games
- Denise Kum, born in Auckland – She graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Auckland in 1992
- Eddie Wong Sensei, 7th Dan, respected Yoshinkan Aikido instructors in Oceania (New Zealand and Australia). Over 40 years experience in aikido, more than 25 years in Tai Chi Chuan and Chinese Kung Fu. First introduced to Yoshinkai Aikido in 1965, when he joined David and Hisae Lynch's dojo, after having spent 3 years studying Judo, Jiujutsu and Karate. In 1979 he had a dojo in Manukau Road,Epsom, with his wife Mary, teaching Yoshinkai Aikido; later relocated their dojo to Mt. Albert, Auckland. Edward Wong, Auckland – Queens Service Medal 2010, for services to martial arts
Journalists and writers
- Mai ChenMai ChenMai Chen is a prominent constitutional lawyer in Wellington, New Zealand.She is a founding partner of the law firm Chen Palmer, alongside former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer.-Early life:...
, prominent constitutional lawyer, Chair of the short-lived Pan Asian Congress of 2002, 1970s generation and 1.5 generation Taiwanese migrant New Zealander - Derek Cheng, reporter for the New Zealand Herald, second generation New Zealander of Hong Kong Chinese parentage.
- Manying Ip, Professor at the University of Auckland School of Asian Studies, community spokesperson during the 'Asian Invasion' 1990s, and author and editor of numerous seminal texts on Chinese people in New Zealand. 1970s 1st Generation Hong Kong migrant New Zealander.
- Errol Kiong, reporter for Radio New ZealandRadio New ZealandRadio New Zealand is a New Zealand public service radio broadcaster and Crown entity formed by the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. It operates news, current affairs and arts network Radio New Zealand National and classical music and jazz network Radio New Zealand Concert with full government funding...
and the New Zealand Herald, first generation migrant New Zealander and Malaysian Chinese. - Tze Ming MokTze Ming MokTze Ming Mok , born 1978) is a fiction writer and sociopolitical commentator, and has been a prominent New Zealand Asian community advocate...
, cultural commentator, blogger and literary writer; second generation New Zealander of Chinese Singaporean and Malaysian parentage. . Editor of the May 2006 issue of LandfallLandfall (journal)Landfall is New Zealand's oldest extant literary journal. First published in 1947 by Caxton Press, under the editorship of Charles Brasch, it features new fiction and poetry, biographical and critical essays, cultural commentary, and reviews of books, art, film, drama and dance.Additionally, the...
, a New Zealand literary journal. - Lincoln Tan, senior reporter for the New Zealand Herald, founder of iBall newspaper (iBall has been renamed as ASIAN TODAY after Lincoln's departure); first generation migrant New Zealander and PeranakanPeranakanPeranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15th and 16th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian archipelago of Nusantara during the Colonial era....
Singaporean. - Alison WongAlison WongAlison Wong is a New Zealand poet of Chinese heritage. Her background in mathematics comes across in her poetry, not as a subject, but in the careful formulation of words to white space and precision...
, poet, Old generation Cantonese. (1960 – ) is a poet and fiction writer. Born in Hastings, New Zealand, great grandparents on both sides migrated from China's Guangdong; Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Victoria University. As the Earth Turns to Silver – published 2010, shortlisted for Australian PM awards; Robert Burns Fellow at the University of Otago,poetry collection Cup - Gilbert Wong, New Zealand's most senior Chinese journalist, for many years New Zealand's only prominent Chinese journalist, Old Generation Cantonese.
- Steven Young, member of the Old Generation Chinese community associations, specifically the Wellington Chinese Association. Web-archiver of numerous resources on the Old Generation communities.
- Jack YanJack YanJack Yan is a publisher, designer and businessman, born 1972 in Kowloon, Hong Kong.Yan founded his own company in 1987 while a teenager and grew it, initially, into the region's leading font software firm, claiming to be the first New Zealander to design digital typefaces...
, graphic designer and publisher of fashion magazine LucireLucireLucire is a fashion magazine that originally began on the web in 1997, branching into a monthly print edition in its home country of New Zealand in 2004...
, 1.5 generation Hong Kong migrant New Zealander. - Jane Yee, columnist on Stuff.co.nz and C4TV presenter, Chinese and PākehāPakehaPākehā is a Māori language word for New Zealanders who are "of European descent". They are mostly descended from British and to a lesser extent Irish settlers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although some Pākehā have Dutch, Scandinavian, German, Yugoslav or other ancestry...
New Zealand parentage. - Simon Wong, journalist, Marlborough Express, AUT Graduate 2009.
- Gordon Wong, commercial lawyer, first Chinese to become a Partner in a major law firm in New Zealand
- Dr Renee Liang, 2010 Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award Recipient, consultant paediatrician , poet, short story writer and playwright, Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Master of Creative Writing from the University of Auckland, graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama Studies.Second generation Chinese New Zealander, paediatrician. Wries poetry,plays, short stories; MC at Poetry Live Auckland, member Guerrilla Poets. Play "Bone Feeder"
- Kim Webby Independent Media Production Professional
- Jason Moon – Born in Wellington, Victoria University graduate with double degrees in Marketing and Education; third generation Chinese New Zealander -Presents Asian Report on Radio NZ.
- Sonia Yee – Spoken Features Producer at Radio New Zealand National, Educated Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and University of Canterbury, Spectrum at Radio NZ; The Golden Tide – five part documentary series-
- Diana Wong - Born Grey Lynn Auckland - Artish, Filmaker, Author, Photographer, Wrote: The Sad Pianist: The Family Album - A photgraphic collection of of Auckland Women.
- Eva Wong Ng - reviewed books for Otago Daily Times, published in School Journal; biographical monographs in ‘Women Doctors in New Zealand’ (published 1990) and ‘Southern People’ (published 1998); co authored ‘Amongst Ghosts’ (published 1992). Wrote ‘Shadow Man’ (published 1999) and ‘Chinatown Girl’ the diary of Silvey Chan, Auckland, 1942 (published 2005) (from Chinese digital community)
- James Ng - Dunedin- doctor,historian and archivist of the Chinese community in New Zealand. Wrote series of books "Windows of a Chinese Past"
Scientist
Dr Edmon Wong eminent former scientist - researched on plant and food biochemistry in New Zealand, the USA and Germany. Came to New Zealand 1940, via Hong Kong, attended school in Wellington, and gained a PhD