Helen Clark

RT HON HELEN CLARK PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND
12 February 2001
NZ government apologises to Chinese community
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that the government has decided to make a formal apology to Chinese New Zealanders who paid a poll tax and suffered other discrimination imposed by statute and to their descendants.
The announcement was made at a function marking the Chinese New Year at Parliament hosted by the Prime Minister and George Hawkins, Minister for Ethnic Affairs, for members of the Chinese community.
Helen Clark said that Chinese people were subjected to discrimination in New Zealand from the late nineteenth century through to the mid twentieth century.
"While the governments which passed these discriminatory laws acted in a manner which was lawful at the time, their actions are seen by us today as unacceptable. We believe an act of reconciliation is required to ensure that full closure can be reached on this chapter in our nation's history.
"The poll tax, in particular, imposed considerable hardship. The Chinese Immigrants Act of 1881 imposed a poll tax of ten pounds per Chinese person and restricted the numbers able to enter the country to one person per ten tons of ship cargo. These provisions were increased and consolidated in legislation over the next few years. The poll tax rose to one hundred pounds per person and numbers entering the country were further severely restricted. No other ethnic group was subjected to such restrictions, or a poll tax."
Other legislative initiatives also singled out the Chinese:
In 1908, Chinese people had to put a thumbprint on their Certificates of Registration before leaving the country - no other ethnic group had to leave thumbprints.
Chinese people were deprived of their right to naturalisation in 1908 and this was not rescinded until 1951. No other ethnic group was deprived of this right.
A reading test in English was introduced - other immigrants had only a writing test in their own language.
Even in 1935 when entry permits were introduced after a suspension of 15 years for reunification of family and partners of Chinese people, they were severely restricted.
"The poll tax was abolished in 1944. Today we recognise the considerable hardship it imposed and that the cost of it and the impact of other discriminatory immigration practices split families apart.
"The government apology marks the beginning of a formal process of reconciliation with the Chinese community," Helen Clark said.
The government will be entering into discussions with the descendants of those who paid the poll tax on an appropriate form of reconciliation. Suggestions have come from the New Zealand Chinese Association of a government contribution to the restoration and maintenance of the Chinese heritage, culture, and language in New Zealand, which was severely eroded as a result of the injustice of the poll tax and other discriminatory policies.
"This year's high school history essay competition sponsored by the government will focus on the history of the Chinese in New Zealand to ensure that this aspect of our history is better understood by present generations."
Helen Clark said that the Chinese community in New Zealand is a significant contributor to New Zealand.
"The community is making a huge economic and social contribution to our country. The many new Chinese migrants are bringing new ideas, a strong work ethic, and valuable contacts with their countries of origin.
"Modern New Zealand has a bicultural foundation, and today is home to many peoples. It is important that we value, honour, and respect all our communities and see our diversity as a great strength," Helen Clark said