Wednesday, July 18, 2012
MAORI WOMENFOLK. EMPLOYED BY ASIATICS.
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.ACTION BY GOVERNMENT.FIRST SITTING TO-DAY,
A committee, whoch has been appointed by the Government to investigate the employment of Maori girls and women by Chinese and Indians in Auckland, commenced its sittings this morning at the offices of the Health Department in Anzac Avenue.
Without publicity, the committee has been set up in response to requests hy members of the native race, following disclosures which have been made in the l'ress and otherwise during the past rear or so in Auckland.
The proceedings arc in private, and are under the chairmanship of Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health, with whom are associated Mr. W. Slaughter, representing the Labour Department, and Mr. Tukere Te Anga, representing the Native Department. Preliminary evidence is being heard by the committee, to-day, and the proceedings will continue to-morrow and 011 Saturday. In its order of reference the committee is empowered to make thorough investigations into the question of Maori girls and women being employed by Chinese as workers in market gardens, and by Indians in fruit shops and elsewhere. The committee is asked to suggest in its report to the Minister of Native Affairs remedies that may be required. The scope of the inquiry will embrace questions such as wages, health, housing and general health and sanitary conditions. The question as to whether it is in the interests of public morality that Maori womenfolk should be so employed will also be reported on by the committee. Among those who will give evidence will be a number of members of the Akarana. Maori Association, which organisation has taken a prominent part in asking for an investigation. Opportunity for hearing Chinese and other Asiatics will also be provided, and the committee will make a comprehensive tour of districts around Auckland where Maori girls and women are employed by Asiatics. Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 210, 5 September 1929, Page 7
WHITE NEW ZEALAND.ITS COLOURED PROBLEM. CHINESE AND INDIANS.
WHITE NEW ZEALAND.ITS COLOURED PROBLEM. CHINESE AND INDIANS. RIVAL OF CONTROVERSY. There has developed a controversy on the White New Zealand question which threatens to rival that which was excited when a madman shot dead an aged Chinaman as a protest against the Asiatic influx. On this occasion there has been no shooting: the ball has been set rolling by a meeting of farmers and townsmen at peaceful Pukekohe," the 'constituency of the late Prime Minister, I Mr. Massey. At this meeting it was dei dared that there were now Hindus and Chinese in their hundreds, where a feuyears ago the only dark skin to be seen was that of the native Maori race, higii in the scale of civilisation. In some places the Asiatics controlled the fruit trade, and at the city markets the buyers of Pukekohe produce were largely j Asiatics. The increasing hold of these j people, it was pointed out. was very serious, because their frugality of living made it impossible for a European to bring up his family in decency to compete with them —something could bn done, and must be done. Europeans must put their minds to Cases were instanced to prove that when Chinese I entered into competition with Europeans in any line of business there was only one result—the European went out of business, especially in the laundry, fruit j and market garden trades. It was urged jby one speaker that landowners should [invariably refuse to sell or lease hind 'or premises to Asiatics, and that raer- I chants should refuse to deal with them.The result of the meeting was the formation of a White New Zealand League, and the carrying of a motion that landowners and business men should refrain from dealing with Asiatics. No Definite Policy. There is in this country no policy of excluding Asiatics on the lines of the White Australian policy—which is one thing that Australia is praised for here —and each year sees the number of Chinese and Indians added to. either as permanent residents or as temporary visitors, who try very hard to remain here. There are not a great many Asiatics in the South Island—probably it is too cold, or too Scotch, for them but there is abundant evidence that there is an all-sufficiency of both Chinese and Indians in the north. The fruit shops whose fine displays compel admiration, are a feature of the principal streets of Auckland. They are almost entirely run by Chinese, and there is not a suburb Ito which these men. who may be seen lin their scores bidding at the auctions in the City Markets, have not "peacefully penetrated." And at various corners we see the übiquitous Indian, popularly referred to as the '"Hindu," with his stall and his piles of polishcl fruit, paying but a scanty rental for his stand. As he competes mostly with the Chinese, there is perhaps less resentment against him on the part of the European population than might otherwise be. lin this country, but as to how long it J takes a newcomer to repay it is one of those secrets which are hard to clear up. lit is said that a young Chinese has to labour for vcars to clear .himself of the debt. Standard of Living. It is not doubted that tlie Indian subsists on a food standard which would not maintain a white man ill working condition, and it is this economic advantage which gives him the pull over the European when it conies to competition in trade. As for the Chinaman, hs does not live nearly so frugally as is generally supposed. The young Chinese of to-day is emulating European standards. When he has emerged from his shell, so to speak, he dons tailor-made I suits, tan shoes, silk sox, white collars I and expensive hats. He may be seen thus, much multiplied, about the streets or in the marts any day. As to food, he is a gastronomic expert. He buys i the fattest ducks and cockerels, the choicest pork and the best cuts of [butchers' meats, and he buys plentifully. ilt is not in denying himself food that ihr saves money: lie is sparing in "ais I pleasure, as the European knows I pleasure, and his entertainment costs him little. However, he is often a gambler, and the sight of a Chinaman on a racecourse is so familiar as to pass unnoticed —and the luck of a Chinaman with the horses is said to be amazing. There is no more law-abiding citizen —a Chinese, or a Hindoo for that matter. 1 rarely has to face a magistrate, excepting for the committal of some technical offence Really the matter of restricting the influx of Asiatics rests with the Minister in charge of the Immigration Department. He issues the permits which allow them to land and take up their residence here, and the granting of these permits are solely at his discretion. Chinese or Indians who come out here- to reside have, to pay a poll tax of £100. This tax is readily found by their compatriots who sponsor tlieir arrival. His Industry and His Pay. All around Auckland, and all along the Main Trunk Line as far south as Wellington, can be seen the market gardens of the Chinese and the trading carts of the Indian hawker. In every town are Asiatic fruit shops and Asiatic laundries. At Kohimarama Chinese are said to be paying rentals of JSO per acre per annum for land for vegetable-growing, a rental which would well make the white owner pause when he is asked to sell at valuation for other purposes. The industry of the Chinaman is proverbial, and here it is clearly shown. In the shops his work is limited by tlle interval between the hours of opening and closing fixed by law—which are long enough, in all conscience—but in the market gardens- no summer's day is too long for him, and in the winter he works early and late by the aid of the moon or artificial light. But the lessee of the garden may be making a fortune by the combined labour of his assistants working out their poll tax; a similar state of affairs may be the portion of the conductor of some of the fruit shops. The Minister' in charge of Immigration has, it is stated, a pile of applications for admission, which is added to by applications from Chinese who came in under temporary permits entitling them to stay for six months, seeking permanent location. Many Chinese come here under temporary permit, and, having got the wedge in, seek to split the log this way. Their dodge, however, is rarely successful. i There have been attempts at smuggling un detected from Suva, the latest but ships are now searched prior to leaving the port of embarkation and before, being berthed here, and it is said that for an Aiiatic to enter New Zealand unperceived is almost impossible Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 300, 19 December 1925, Page 11
CHINESE IMMIGRANTS.RESTRICTIVE MEASURES.
MHSSIONARIES EXEMPTED. ißy TelegTapa.—Parliamentary Reporter,) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. In the House to-day the Premier moved the second reading of the Chinese Immigrants Amendment Bill, which, in addition to the £100 poll tax, imposes an education test of 100 words in English. Mr Massey said he was in thorough accord with the object of the bill.
-Jγ Poole said in this Dominion there were wealthy Chinese, who found living on their fellow countrymen a profitable undertaking. They arranged for the importation of Chinese, paying their poll tax and passage money, and holding these unfortunate fellows as their slaves lor a number of years. Chinatown in 'Frisco was two cubic acres of -hell with the lid off." He hoped the Premier would see that the Customs officials made the education test as difficult as possible.
Mr Gray said he vai surprised to see that in Wellington all the leading fruit shops were in the hands of Chinese, and the liest people encouraged them to stay iere by buying from them.
llr R. MeKenzie said he would move that it be an instruction to the Government to increase the pcil tax to £500.
Sir Joseph Ward said what they wanted to do was to effectually restrict Chinese coming here. There were now 2570 Chinese in New Zealand, of whom fifty-five were females. If they -wanted to keep them here a longer period than they now remained, the proposal of the member for Motueka was the right way to do it. Now they loft after a number of years, but if they paid £500 they would stay here altogether. An hon. member: Isn't that advisable? Sir Joseph Ward: It is better that they should go back and die in their own country. He thought if they had highly educated Chinese coming here, there would be less tendency to create all these abominations referred to by some members. They had also to respect the conditions existing between the old land and another country. They could not hope to get the Ircperia.l assent to such a proposal. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. In committee, the Premier moved as an addition to the principal clause, ''this •Act shall not apply to any minister or teacher of the Christian religion accredited to the satisfaction of the Colonial Secretary. The proposal was agreed to.
Mr Fisher moved to amend the original 'Act by increasing the poll tax from £100 to £200.
The amendment was accepted by the Chairman (Mr E- McKenzie), but, upon the Premier's motion, progress was reported to take the Speaker's ruling. This was against the Chairman, on the ground ihat no motion for increase of taxation could come from a private member.
Mr Davey moved to add a new clause, providing that after the lapse of ten years no Chinese should be allowed to land in New Zealand.
Sir Joseph Ward said he had not the slightest objection to the Committee carrying such a clause, but he reminded them that it meant they would carry no legislation at all on this question, for it would never receive the Imperial assent.
Mr Hornsby regretted that the Premier had weakened on the bill, he having permitted ontside influence, a cleric, the Rev. Mr Don, Presbyterian Chinese missioner, to dictate a new clause, whereas he would not accept any new clause from members of the House.
Sir Joseph Ward said he desired to •give the hon. member's statement an emphatic denial. Personally he did not know the Rev. Mr Don, but at any rate Mr Don, as Chinese missioner, had a right -to represent to the Government what he thought was required from the religious teaching aspect of the question.
Mr Davey's proposal was rejected by 43 votes to 15. and the bill was reported .with- amendments. Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 272, 14 November 1907, Page 6
Sunday, July 08, 2012
WOES OF THE JOES.STAYED TOO LONG.CHINESE MUST LEAVE.
ONE FINED £10, THE OTHER £5
Two Chinese by the name of Leong Yuk Joe and Chung Joe were ordered to be deported by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., this morning.
Standing in the dock of the Police Court this morning, both these sorrylooking sons of the Flowery Land, through an interpreter, pleaded guilty when charged with remaining in New Zealand beyond the period for which their temporary permits entitled them.
The Collector of Customs at Auckland, Mr. W. A. Penn, who prosecuted, stated that Leong Yuk Joe's permit expired in March of 1926, and Chung Joe's in October of last year. Both had overstayed their permits. Many other Chinese were giving much trouble in this way, and it had been suggested that terms of imprisonment should be imposed in addition to deportation. Great difficulty was experienced by the police iin tracing Chinese who overstayed their permits, said Constable Doel. At the present time 20 Chinese were being looked for. Mr. Wong Doo, a local Chinese resident, had purchased tickets for both men, who would leave for Australia to-morrow.
Mr. Hunt fined Leong Yuk Joe £10, or one month's imprisonment, and Chung Joe £5, or one month in gaol. In addition both are to be deported from the Dominion. Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 182, 4 August 1927, Page 8
Friday, April 06, 2012
Ching Ming at Easter 2012
I'm so glad that we can still have our Ching Ming ceremonies. Whenever I go to Mangere Cemetery in Auckland, there are many families there enjoying the picnic atmosphere.
My own Maternal grandparents are in Canton City. I have the priveldge of being there last year at Ching Ming. My Uncles booked a table the day before, for 10.00 am. The tables are set out over a vast area at the Columbarium at Foshan. So imagine hundreds of families gathered at close quarters - no photos allowed there so I only have memories. Then my Uncle went to get the ashes of his parents. They were in a box with Grandparents photos in. The ashes were in a bag, and they untied it - to give the ashes fresh air.
Uncle had brought those large joss sticks which we burned. Of course you can not leave until all the joss stick had burnt - and hundreds of them make a very stron smell. My children and husband had to leave after some time as it got really polluted. We had the usual roast pig, bao, vegetarian dish, chicken. This is a memory I will treasure for a long time.
My own Maternal grandparents are in Canton City. I have the priveldge of being there last year at Ching Ming. My Uncles booked a table the day before, for 10.00 am. The tables are set out over a vast area at the Columbarium at Foshan. So imagine hundreds of families gathered at close quarters - no photos allowed there so I only have memories. Then my Uncle went to get the ashes of his parents. They were in a box with Grandparents photos in. The ashes were in a bag, and they untied it - to give the ashes fresh air.
Uncle had brought those large joss sticks which we burned. Of course you can not leave until all the joss stick had burnt - and hundreds of them make a very stron smell. My children and husband had to leave after some time as it got really polluted. We had the usual roast pig, bao, vegetarian dish, chicken. This is a memory I will treasure for a long time.
China Business 2012: Small businesses making it big
Beca: The market is huge and rife with opportunities
Beca's Beijing-based China chief has resorted to Kiwi-style team building by taking his young team on "Outward Bound" adventures.
Attracting and retaining young engineering talent is one of Derek Lowe's key priorities. "There's keen competition for good staff," says Lowe. "Ours are very young and energetic."
Beca's Chinese employees can also qualify to become shareholders if they meet particular criteria. There is also a retirement fund and medical benefits.
Lowe has been with Beca since 1998 moving to China eight years ago after other roles within Asia. At a rapid run-through of the many projects he has on the go in China he points to a quotation from deceased US motivational writer Earl Nightingale: "The world in which we live and work is a mirror of our expectations."
Beca's expectations are certainly high.
"The market is huge, with no shortage of opportunities for engineering consultants working in this region." Its building services engineers are in high demand as China's growth continues at a rapid pace.
Urbanisation and the high costs of first tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai has seen the development of second and third tier cities, where property and rental prices are more affordable for many businesses as well as city dwellers.
Beca's niche is the tourism market, with 70-80 per cent of its current business being driven by the rapid expansion of hotel projects through the country.
As the cost of operating in Beijing's CBD or financial district is escalating year-on-year, more companies are moving to the outskirts of China's capital. This year Beca has secured a building project in the Daxing district, about an hour's drive from Beijing's CBD.
The mixed development comprises office, retail and hotel space, and will sit on a 120,000m2 site.
Beca employs more than 100 staff members in China, based in offices in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in satellite offices on project site locations as needed throughout the country.
"We have developed a strong local team, with a mix of expatriates and Chinese nationals, and a bi-lingual service is part of our approach," says Lowe.
Zuru: Billion dollar plans for toy firm based in China
Anna Mowbray is one of three Kiwi siblings driving the rapid growth of Zuru Toys from their head office in Huadu.
Mowbray predicts Zuru Toys will sport revenue of about US$35 million this year. Possibly more if the company's star product - Robofish - can be successfully launched in the US consumer market.
From their humble beginnings in an old factory some five years ago, where Mowbray resorted to "showering over the toilet" and "borrowing back" wages from staff to keep the show on the road, the upshot is a great story.
In essence, the Mowbrays have gone straight to market and established an international business from China.
None of the business is situated in New Zealand.
Mowbray put Robofish through its paces in a glass watertank during a visit to Zuru Toy's factory, which doubles as HQ and the R&D plant.
It's a nifty device that is likely to excite kids. Particularly when operated by remote control.
But right now Zuru Toys is facing a legal fight with a major US company which claims the IP for Robofish belongs to them as it was developed by a Chinese inventor while he was still in their employ.
Not so fast says Mowbray.
Zuru's chief operations officer believes the Chinese inventor signed all the relevant releases before departure.
The IP battle is a major for the small company which looks to be at the risky stage where it warrants putting a more traditional corporate structure in place.
From their grass roots beginning in Cambridge, 28-year-old Mowbray, her elder brother Mat who is CEO and younger brother Nick who later joined them as marketing director, have developed a range of toys including "Schnooks" (voted hottest toy in Woolworths Australia in 2009/2010); Crazies and serious guns.
They currently have 250 Chinese staff working at the factory where they live in dormitories.
Zuru has no debt and has expanded by utilising cash-flow. Their toys are distributed in 60 countries.
Walmart is a major customer.
And Mowbray has no doubts the trio could develop the toy business into a US$100 million company.
They want to build a billion dollar empire.
They are plunging US$100,000 each year into funding the development of a novel housing project and have contracted two Chinese factories to work on the prototypes.
More than 40 patents have already been sought.
But that's about all she is saying.
Phitek: Silence is golden, as Shenzen based company shows
Phitek's Paul Van Tol is happy to be a good sport and demonstrate a pair of the more "out there" noise reduction headphones at his Shenzhen office and design shop.
The bright gold funky headphones are a hit with young 20-somethings in China. But Van Tol's personal taste is for something more elegant.
The Phitek director, who originally came from the Netherlands, stepped in to head the company nearly two years ago after the shareholders pushed founder Mark Donaldson out of his job.
It was a tough call says Van Tol.
But the company has now been stabilised and is evolving as a world leading innovator in advanced electro-acoustic technologies for personal listening.
Its "Blackboxes" are sold online and through outlets like JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman.
Van Tol says it has done a deal with Soul Technologies to produce more funky products.
But the major breakthrough is in technology which essentially inserts noise cancelling technology into smart phones reducing noise sufficiently that you could have conversation on a cellphone in a busy street without having to cover the phone.
Within three years Phitek has established a commanding lead in the supply of integrated and headphone-based noise cancellation solutions to major aviation customers including Singapore Airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Air New Zealand and Finnair.
Today it has two business units, Avionics, focusing on the needs of airline customers and Audio, focusing on the development and marketing of world-leading Active Noise Cancellation Technologies for the mobile phone and music industry.
Since developing its first battery powered noise cancelling headphone Phitek has produced a wide variety of products for companies including Logitech, Audio Technica, GN Netcom, Panasonic, Maxell Corporation, and Creative Labs.
Though Shenzhen is one of China's most important R&D hubs - particularly for ICT technologies, Van Tol says he is now looking at putting some of the R&D operations across the water in Hong Kong.
"It is cheaper." 5:30 AM Wednesday Apr 4, 2012
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/small-business/news/article.cfm?c_id=85&objectid=10796628
Beca's Beijing-based China chief has resorted to Kiwi-style team building by taking his young team on "Outward Bound" adventures.
Attracting and retaining young engineering talent is one of Derek Lowe's key priorities. "There's keen competition for good staff," says Lowe. "Ours are very young and energetic."
Beca's Chinese employees can also qualify to become shareholders if they meet particular criteria. There is also a retirement fund and medical benefits.
Lowe has been with Beca since 1998 moving to China eight years ago after other roles within Asia. At a rapid run-through of the many projects he has on the go in China he points to a quotation from deceased US motivational writer Earl Nightingale: "The world in which we live and work is a mirror of our expectations."
Beca's expectations are certainly high.
"The market is huge, with no shortage of opportunities for engineering consultants working in this region." Its building services engineers are in high demand as China's growth continues at a rapid pace.
Urbanisation and the high costs of first tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai has seen the development of second and third tier cities, where property and rental prices are more affordable for many businesses as well as city dwellers.
Beca's niche is the tourism market, with 70-80 per cent of its current business being driven by the rapid expansion of hotel projects through the country.
As the cost of operating in Beijing's CBD or financial district is escalating year-on-year, more companies are moving to the outskirts of China's capital. This year Beca has secured a building project in the Daxing district, about an hour's drive from Beijing's CBD.
The mixed development comprises office, retail and hotel space, and will sit on a 120,000m2 site.
Beca employs more than 100 staff members in China, based in offices in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in satellite offices on project site locations as needed throughout the country.
"We have developed a strong local team, with a mix of expatriates and Chinese nationals, and a bi-lingual service is part of our approach," says Lowe.
Zuru: Billion dollar plans for toy firm based in China
Anna Mowbray is one of three Kiwi siblings driving the rapid growth of Zuru Toys from their head office in Huadu.
Mowbray predicts Zuru Toys will sport revenue of about US$35 million this year. Possibly more if the company's star product - Robofish - can be successfully launched in the US consumer market.
From their humble beginnings in an old factory some five years ago, where Mowbray resorted to "showering over the toilet" and "borrowing back" wages from staff to keep the show on the road, the upshot is a great story.
In essence, the Mowbrays have gone straight to market and established an international business from China.
None of the business is situated in New Zealand.
Mowbray put Robofish through its paces in a glass watertank during a visit to Zuru Toy's factory, which doubles as HQ and the R&D plant.
It's a nifty device that is likely to excite kids. Particularly when operated by remote control.
But right now Zuru Toys is facing a legal fight with a major US company which claims the IP for Robofish belongs to them as it was developed by a Chinese inventor while he was still in their employ.
Not so fast says Mowbray.
Zuru's chief operations officer believes the Chinese inventor signed all the relevant releases before departure.
The IP battle is a major for the small company which looks to be at the risky stage where it warrants putting a more traditional corporate structure in place.
From their grass roots beginning in Cambridge, 28-year-old Mowbray, her elder brother Mat who is CEO and younger brother Nick who later joined them as marketing director, have developed a range of toys including "Schnooks" (voted hottest toy in Woolworths Australia in 2009/2010); Crazies and serious guns.
They currently have 250 Chinese staff working at the factory where they live in dormitories.
Zuru has no debt and has expanded by utilising cash-flow. Their toys are distributed in 60 countries.
Walmart is a major customer.
And Mowbray has no doubts the trio could develop the toy business into a US$100 million company.
They want to build a billion dollar empire.
They are plunging US$100,000 each year into funding the development of a novel housing project and have contracted two Chinese factories to work on the prototypes.
More than 40 patents have already been sought.
But that's about all she is saying.
Phitek: Silence is golden, as Shenzen based company shows
Phitek's Paul Van Tol is happy to be a good sport and demonstrate a pair of the more "out there" noise reduction headphones at his Shenzhen office and design shop.
The bright gold funky headphones are a hit with young 20-somethings in China. But Van Tol's personal taste is for something more elegant.
The Phitek director, who originally came from the Netherlands, stepped in to head the company nearly two years ago after the shareholders pushed founder Mark Donaldson out of his job.
It was a tough call says Van Tol.
But the company has now been stabilised and is evolving as a world leading innovator in advanced electro-acoustic technologies for personal listening.
Its "Blackboxes" are sold online and through outlets like JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman.
Van Tol says it has done a deal with Soul Technologies to produce more funky products.
But the major breakthrough is in technology which essentially inserts noise cancelling technology into smart phones reducing noise sufficiently that you could have conversation on a cellphone in a busy street without having to cover the phone.
Within three years Phitek has established a commanding lead in the supply of integrated and headphone-based noise cancellation solutions to major aviation customers including Singapore Airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Air New Zealand and Finnair.
Today it has two business units, Avionics, focusing on the needs of airline customers and Audio, focusing on the development and marketing of world-leading Active Noise Cancellation Technologies for the mobile phone and music industry.
Since developing its first battery powered noise cancelling headphone Phitek has produced a wide variety of products for companies including Logitech, Audio Technica, GN Netcom, Panasonic, Maxell Corporation, and Creative Labs.
Though Shenzhen is one of China's most important R&D hubs - particularly for ICT technologies, Van Tol says he is now looking at putting some of the R&D operations across the water in Hong Kong.
"It is cheaper." 5:30 AM Wednesday Apr 4, 2012
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/small-business/news/article.cfm?c_id=85&objectid=10796628
Friday, March 30, 2012
Nelson wraps up career with sale of chippery
After more than 40 years in the business, fish and chip shop owner and Balclutha stalwart Nelson Wong has retired.
Since selling the business in August, Mr Wong has finally taken some time for himself, after 45 years of being the heart and soul of the favourite fish and chip shop.
Mr Wong worked in Milton at his parents' greengrocer and fish and chip shop before moving to Balclutha to start his own business - Clutha Fish Supply.
The name changed to Wongy's Cod and Taties a few years ago, a marketing strategy which was embraced by its patrons who affectionately dubbed it "Wongys".
The Clyde St takeaway shop has changed over the years, but has never moved premises, with the biggest change seen in the menu, he said.
A North Islander by birth, Mr Wong first moved to Milton with his family, before buying the takeaway shop in Clyde St, Balclutha.
"Balclutha is a good location; a nice rural town in a nice rural area."
One of the best things about the shop was meeting a variety of people from Otago and Southland, New Zealand, and from overseas.
"I've made lots of friends and loyal customers from all over the place."
He and wife Jackie have five children - Angelina, Christiane, Dominique, Claudine, and Pierre - although only Pierre, the youngest, still lives at home. He is head boy at South Otago High School.
"It's been a family shop. All the kids grew up working there and we've run it together over the years," Mr Wong said.
He had made no major plans and enjoyed living in Balclutha.
"Now I'm the head gardener at home," he joked.
Balclutha real estate agent Stuart McElrea remembers working for Mr Wong after school when he was a teenager in the 1960s.
"In those days we'd have people from the freezing works come in and open a sack of oysters in the evening for a bit more money. Nelson was always a good employer - we thought of him as a bit of a James Bond character as he had a gold Mark II Daimler V8 and he even let us travel with him in it."
The fish and chip shop had never changed and had become part of the community, he said.
"Nelson's a great member of the community, he was always there, and always involved."
Mr McElrea said he would always have fond memories of working at the shop, which had also employed two cousins.
A long-time friend of Nelson, real estate salesman Bryan Hayden said Mr Wong had contributed a lot to the Clutha district.
"He's supported and contributed to the community from behind the scenes. Nelson's a very modest and caring man who has always been there for others."
- helena.dereus@odt.co.nz By Helena de Reus on Mon, 3 Oct 2011
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/balclutha/180475/nelson-wraps-career-sale-chippery
Since selling the business in August, Mr Wong has finally taken some time for himself, after 45 years of being the heart and soul of the favourite fish and chip shop.
Mr Wong worked in Milton at his parents' greengrocer and fish and chip shop before moving to Balclutha to start his own business - Clutha Fish Supply.
The name changed to Wongy's Cod and Taties a few years ago, a marketing strategy which was embraced by its patrons who affectionately dubbed it "Wongys".
The Clyde St takeaway shop has changed over the years, but has never moved premises, with the biggest change seen in the menu, he said.
A North Islander by birth, Mr Wong first moved to Milton with his family, before buying the takeaway shop in Clyde St, Balclutha.
"Balclutha is a good location; a nice rural town in a nice rural area."
One of the best things about the shop was meeting a variety of people from Otago and Southland, New Zealand, and from overseas.
"I've made lots of friends and loyal customers from all over the place."
He and wife Jackie have five children - Angelina, Christiane, Dominique, Claudine, and Pierre - although only Pierre, the youngest, still lives at home. He is head boy at South Otago High School.
"It's been a family shop. All the kids grew up working there and we've run it together over the years," Mr Wong said.
He had made no major plans and enjoyed living in Balclutha.
"Now I'm the head gardener at home," he joked.
Balclutha real estate agent Stuart McElrea remembers working for Mr Wong after school when he was a teenager in the 1960s.
"In those days we'd have people from the freezing works come in and open a sack of oysters in the evening for a bit more money. Nelson was always a good employer - we thought of him as a bit of a James Bond character as he had a gold Mark II Daimler V8 and he even let us travel with him in it."
The fish and chip shop had never changed and had become part of the community, he said.
"Nelson's a great member of the community, he was always there, and always involved."
Mr McElrea said he would always have fond memories of working at the shop, which had also employed two cousins.
A long-time friend of Nelson, real estate salesman Bryan Hayden said Mr Wong had contributed a lot to the Clutha district.
"He's supported and contributed to the community from behind the scenes. Nelson's a very modest and caring man who has always been there for others."
- helena.dereus@odt.co.nz By Helena de Reus on Mon, 3 Oct 2011
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/balclutha/180475/nelson-wraps-career-sale-chippery
fter being caught out by an unexpected spike in Asian visitors during last year's Chinese New Year celebrations, Queenstown tourism providers and retailers are better prepared this year.
The usually week-long celebration, equivalent to Western Christmas and new year festivities, means people book holidays either side of public holidays, making January 23 to 29 the most significant travel week for the Chinese and Asian market.
Today marks the start of the celebrations, which are observed not only in China, but also in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan and by ethnic Chinese all over the world.
i-SITE visitor centre manager Matt Wong is better placed than most in Queenstown to ascertain the number of Chinese New Year visitors, which he says has steadily increased over the past few years.
"Five years ago, you wouldn't even have thought about it, but now it's a big chance for us," Mr Wong said.
"I certainly expect to see it increase on last year as it's continuing to grow."
Queenstown's accessibility has improved with China Southern Airlines' Guangzhou-Auckland flights, Air Asia X flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch and Jetstar's Singapore-to-Auckland service.
Already, holiday visitors are beginning to arrive, with operators such as Skyline reporting packed dinner services and businesses around town putting up posters emblazoned with the Chinese characters for "Happy New Year".
"By all accounts the hotels are actually benefiting as well, reporting capacity and numbers which are higher than usual," Mr Wong said.
He said i-SITE staff had been upskilling to learn how best to deal with Chinese visitors, a rapidly growing market, not just over the Chinese New Year period but throughout the year.
"Language is a huge part of it ... but it's more understanding that you need to build the trust before you can build the sales."
Bonz Gallery, in the Queenstown Mall, is another business making sure it is ready to deal with the shifting market and the new year influx, Bonz Group New Zealand managing director Bonnie Rodwell says.
The gallery, which sells New Zealand arts and crafts, was taken by surprise last year.
"It was our first Chinese New Year and we weren't ready for it, but the turnover went through the roof," Ms Rodwell said.
"We only wish it was Chinese New Year every day as we don't do this well over the entire year, just in small parts, so we are very excited."
The once predominantly Japanese market had shrunk and the gallery had employed two Chinese staff, with other staff required to learn three new Chinese words a week, she said.
However, like Mr Wong, Ms Rodwell said it took staff a while to learn how to deal with the Chinese style of negotiating sales.
"Bonz doesn't discount, so we have done a lot of research and spent a lot of time and energy on learning how to sell to a group of Chinese instead of watching them walk out the door." Her biggest one-off sale came last year when $38,000 of goods were bought by a Chinese actress, and greater revenue for businesses like hers "flowed on" to other businesses in the resort, she said.
She expected next year's Chinese New Year period would be "doubly busy" and hoped to have found a big red dragon by then to put in the front window of the gallery.
Ziptrek owner Trent Yeo is another Queenstown businessman who sees the importance of the period and the Chinese market - so much so he is learning Mandarin.
Mr Yeo is one of the members of the Destination Queenstown group heading to Shen Zhen, Guangdong Province in March to further promote the Southern Lakes as a travel destination.
With China and India now "the big movers and shakers" in the travel market, it was important for businesses to learn about the Chinese market, not only because of the increase in visitors "but due to the big outbound market as well".
In keeping with this, Mr Yeo and another Queenstown operator are planning a "post-mission mission".
"We are going to go inland into the mountains, way out into the regions, and get a better feel of the different traditions, which is as exciting for us as the Chinese coming here."
While he needed "a Chinatown" to be able to find proper Chinese New Year decorations, he has come up with a different way to celebrate - half-price Ziptrek tickets for anyone born in the Year of the Dragon.
A Chinese restaurateur in Queenstown, who did not wish to be named, said there was always a peak in business during the Chinese New Year period.
"With Chinese New Year people just want Chinese food; it's just like your Christmas with Turkey."
Better prepared for New Year
By Joe Dodgshun on Mon, 23 Jan 2012
The usually week-long celebration, equivalent to Western Christmas and new year festivities, means people book holidays either side of public holidays, making January 23 to 29 the most significant travel week for the Chinese and Asian market.
Today marks the start of the celebrations, which are observed not only in China, but also in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan and by ethnic Chinese all over the world.
i-SITE visitor centre manager Matt Wong is better placed than most in Queenstown to ascertain the number of Chinese New Year visitors, which he says has steadily increased over the past few years.
"Five years ago, you wouldn't even have thought about it, but now it's a big chance for us," Mr Wong said.
"I certainly expect to see it increase on last year as it's continuing to grow."
Queenstown's accessibility has improved with China Southern Airlines' Guangzhou-Auckland flights, Air Asia X flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch and Jetstar's Singapore-to-Auckland service.
Already, holiday visitors are beginning to arrive, with operators such as Skyline reporting packed dinner services and businesses around town putting up posters emblazoned with the Chinese characters for "Happy New Year".
"By all accounts the hotels are actually benefiting as well, reporting capacity and numbers which are higher than usual," Mr Wong said.
He said i-SITE staff had been upskilling to learn how best to deal with Chinese visitors, a rapidly growing market, not just over the Chinese New Year period but throughout the year.
"Language is a huge part of it ... but it's more understanding that you need to build the trust before you can build the sales."
Bonz Gallery, in the Queenstown Mall, is another business making sure it is ready to deal with the shifting market and the new year influx, Bonz Group New Zealand managing director Bonnie Rodwell says.
The gallery, which sells New Zealand arts and crafts, was taken by surprise last year.
"It was our first Chinese New Year and we weren't ready for it, but the turnover went through the roof," Ms Rodwell said.
"We only wish it was Chinese New Year every day as we don't do this well over the entire year, just in small parts, so we are very excited."
The once predominantly Japanese market had shrunk and the gallery had employed two Chinese staff, with other staff required to learn three new Chinese words a week, she said.
However, like Mr Wong, Ms Rodwell said it took staff a while to learn how to deal with the Chinese style of negotiating sales.
"Bonz doesn't discount, so we have done a lot of research and spent a lot of time and energy on learning how to sell to a group of Chinese instead of watching them walk out the door." Her biggest one-off sale came last year when $38,000 of goods were bought by a Chinese actress, and greater revenue for businesses like hers "flowed on" to other businesses in the resort, she said.
She expected next year's Chinese New Year period would be "doubly busy" and hoped to have found a big red dragon by then to put in the front window of the gallery.
Ziptrek owner Trent Yeo is another Queenstown businessman who sees the importance of the period and the Chinese market - so much so he is learning Mandarin.
Mr Yeo is one of the members of the Destination Queenstown group heading to Shen Zhen, Guangdong Province in March to further promote the Southern Lakes as a travel destination.
With China and India now "the big movers and shakers" in the travel market, it was important for businesses to learn about the Chinese market, not only because of the increase in visitors "but due to the big outbound market as well".
In keeping with this, Mr Yeo and another Queenstown operator are planning a "post-mission mission".
"We are going to go inland into the mountains, way out into the regions, and get a better feel of the different traditions, which is as exciting for us as the Chinese coming here."
While he needed "a Chinatown" to be able to find proper Chinese New Year decorations, he has come up with a different way to celebrate - half-price Ziptrek tickets for anyone born in the Year of the Dragon.
A Chinese restaurateur in Queenstown, who did not wish to be named, said there was always a peak in business during the Chinese New Year period.
"With Chinese New Year people just want Chinese food; it's just like your Christmas with Turkey."
Better prepared for New Year
By Joe Dodgshun on Mon, 23 Jan 2012
Chinese visitors keep resort busy
Queenstown businesses reported an increase in the number of Chinese visitors last week and early this week, as the resort experienced a "record Chinese New Year".
The week-long celebration, equivalent to Western Christmas and New Year festivities and the most significant travel week for the Chinese and Asian market, started last Monday.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt was impressed to see so many Chinese visitors in town and said a broad base of DQ member businesses had reported "significantly increased Chinese business".
"It's pretty pleasing to see places like the holiday parks and adventure activities also benefited," Mr Everitt said.
"It shows that not only are we getting the package tourists, but independent Chinese travellers, who are prepared to try something a bit more adventurous."
Visitor centre manager Matt Wong, who, like many businesses, decorated his office windows with DQ's "Happy Chinese New Year" signs, said the response was overwhelming.
"Even having those signs up was enough to attract visitors into the store and sitting on the desk with all these people asking me if I speak Chinese was quite funny."
He and another staff member have since signed up for lessons.
He said walking the streets of Queenstown last week was reminiscent of the days of the Japanese tourist boom, albeit with visitors from China and other Asian countries.
"One thing I noticed was a lot of people coming from Auckland and Australia, and in particular, young people living abroad, who bought their families over here from China on holiday."
Skyline also reported a large number of Chinese visitors during the week, and general manager Lindon Thomas said almost all of last week's dinner services were packed.
"Last week was just really busy with Chinese and Japanese guests, and I think each night was sold out for dinner," Mr Thomas said.
"With two sittings and 250 people in each sitting, these are some decent numbers."
Bonz Gallery and Bonz Group New Zealand managing director Bonnie Rodwell said the numbers experienced were similar to last year, but remained high after Chinese New Year.
Ms Rodwell thought the key to growing the new year market was to focus on keeping the visitors here for longer, and said the store was definitely better prepared for their arrival this year.
"It was much easier this year .. they thought it was very funny us trying to speak Mandarin, but we were trying ..."
When asked if there was any possibility of festivities next year, Mr Everitt said Queenstown would be better to focus on attracting visitors over the holiday with the resort's beauty and amenities.
" I think we did up the ante this year .. and we need to continue that and make people feel welcome, but at the same time people come here to see Queenstown, not the extravagant dragon dancers they can see at home." By Joe Dodgshun on Fri, 3 Feb 2012 http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/195206/better-prepared-new-year
The week-long celebration, equivalent to Western Christmas and New Year festivities and the most significant travel week for the Chinese and Asian market, started last Monday.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt was impressed to see so many Chinese visitors in town and said a broad base of DQ member businesses had reported "significantly increased Chinese business".
"It's pretty pleasing to see places like the holiday parks and adventure activities also benefited," Mr Everitt said.
"It shows that not only are we getting the package tourists, but independent Chinese travellers, who are prepared to try something a bit more adventurous."
Visitor centre manager Matt Wong, who, like many businesses, decorated his office windows with DQ's "Happy Chinese New Year" signs, said the response was overwhelming.
"Even having those signs up was enough to attract visitors into the store and sitting on the desk with all these people asking me if I speak Chinese was quite funny."
He and another staff member have since signed up for lessons.
He said walking the streets of Queenstown last week was reminiscent of the days of the Japanese tourist boom, albeit with visitors from China and other Asian countries.
"One thing I noticed was a lot of people coming from Auckland and Australia, and in particular, young people living abroad, who bought their families over here from China on holiday."
Skyline also reported a large number of Chinese visitors during the week, and general manager Lindon Thomas said almost all of last week's dinner services were packed.
"Last week was just really busy with Chinese and Japanese guests, and I think each night was sold out for dinner," Mr Thomas said.
"With two sittings and 250 people in each sitting, these are some decent numbers."
Bonz Gallery and Bonz Group New Zealand managing director Bonnie Rodwell said the numbers experienced were similar to last year, but remained high after Chinese New Year.
Ms Rodwell thought the key to growing the new year market was to focus on keeping the visitors here for longer, and said the store was definitely better prepared for their arrival this year.
"It was much easier this year .. they thought it was very funny us trying to speak Mandarin, but we were trying ..."
When asked if there was any possibility of festivities next year, Mr Everitt said Queenstown would be better to focus on attracting visitors over the holiday with the resort's beauty and amenities.
" I think we did up the ante this year .. and we need to continue that and make people feel welcome, but at the same time people come here to see Queenstown, not the extravagant dragon dancers they can see at home." By Joe Dodgshun on Fri, 3 Feb 2012 http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/195206/better-prepared-new-year
Chinese consulate in Christchurch will help Dunedin
A newly established Chinese consulate in Christchurch will significantly strengthen Dunedin's growing trade and tourism links with China, Chinese community representatives believe.
Tan Xiutian, the newly appointed Chinese consul-general to Christchurch, made a familiarisation visit to Dunedin this week, visiting the Dunedin Chinese Garden and meeting about 30 representatives of several Chinese organisations, members of the city's Chinese community and business representatives.
Ms Tan also met Dunedin civic leaders, as well as senior administrators and academics at the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, and visited the Otago Museum during her first visit to the city.
The Chinese Government had sped up the planned establishment of the consulate-general in Christchurch to show its strong support for New Zealand and citizens of the earthquake-hit city, she said in an interview.
China already has a consulate-general in Auckland and an embassy in Wellington.
Ms Tan noted China sent a rescue team to Christchurch after the major earthquake in February last year, and an internationally acclaimed Chinese acrobatic troupe had also recently performed there.
In a later talk to Chinese community and business representatives, Ms Tan praised Dunedin as a "beautiful" city with a "superb" Chinese Garden and acknowledged the sister city relationship with Shanghai.
She thanked former Dunedin mayor Peter Chin and others who had been trying to foster closer links between New Zealand and China.
Malcolm Wong, who chairs the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust and the Dunedin Shanghai Association, formally welcomed her to the garden.
Establishing the Consulate-general in Christchurch would help support growing trade and tourism links between Dunedin and China, he said in an interview. It would be much easier for Dunedin businesspeople to travel to Christchurch than to have to go to Wellington, he said. Chinese consulate in Christchurch will help Dunedin
By John Gibb on Thu, 16 Feb 2012
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/197929/chinese-consulate-christchurch-will-help-dunedin
Tan Xiutian, the newly appointed Chinese consul-general to Christchurch, made a familiarisation visit to Dunedin this week, visiting the Dunedin Chinese Garden and meeting about 30 representatives of several Chinese organisations, members of the city's Chinese community and business representatives.
Ms Tan also met Dunedin civic leaders, as well as senior administrators and academics at the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, and visited the Otago Museum during her first visit to the city.
The Chinese Government had sped up the planned establishment of the consulate-general in Christchurch to show its strong support for New Zealand and citizens of the earthquake-hit city, she said in an interview.
China already has a consulate-general in Auckland and an embassy in Wellington.
Ms Tan noted China sent a rescue team to Christchurch after the major earthquake in February last year, and an internationally acclaimed Chinese acrobatic troupe had also recently performed there.
In a later talk to Chinese community and business representatives, Ms Tan praised Dunedin as a "beautiful" city with a "superb" Chinese Garden and acknowledged the sister city relationship with Shanghai.
She thanked former Dunedin mayor Peter Chin and others who had been trying to foster closer links between New Zealand and China.
Malcolm Wong, who chairs the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust and the Dunedin Shanghai Association, formally welcomed her to the garden.
Establishing the Consulate-general in Christchurch would help support growing trade and tourism links between Dunedin and China, he said in an interview. It would be much easier for Dunedin businesspeople to travel to Christchurch than to have to go to Wellington, he said. Chinese consulate in Christchurch will help Dunedin
By John Gibb on Thu, 16 Feb 2012
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/197929/chinese-consulate-christchurch-will-help-dunedin
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tawa fruit shop owners run out of juice after 31 years
An era comes to a close this weekend as Tawa Fruit Mart's Chin family farewell the business after 31 years.
Kim Chee Chin, known as Chee, and his wife Zia Kuen Chin, known as Jean, have decided at the ages of 78 and 76 to sell the business they opened in November 1981.
"Our retirement has nothing to do with the business, it's our age," Mr Chin says. "It's 13 years overdue."
The couple still regularly haul 18 kilogram boxes of produce around the shop, and put their sprightliness down to eating vegetables at every meal.
The Chin family - Jean and Chee and their eight children - are a mainstay of Tawa's Main Rd, with a slew of regulars who visit four times a week.
"We know so many people, so many customers. When we go out on the street we know everybody. Everybody's so nice," Mr Chin says.
The grocery business is a real family affair. The Chin children grew up in the shop, sleeping out back in the storage room as babies, then helping out after school and at weekends. At Christmas time the 10-strong family would man all decks to deal with the holiday rush. Son Ming still works at the shop full-time, and his brothers and sisters will return to work in the shop one last time this Saturday.
After immigrating from southern China in 1957, Mr and Mrs Chin worked at Mr Chin's parents' fruit shop in Miramar before opening their own shop in Ngaio in 1971. Short on space, they relocated to Tawa a decade later.
The couple hasn't thought too much about how they'll spend their retirement, beyond a visit to their hometown of Taishan. "We've got plenty of time to think about it," Mr Chin says.
- Kapi-Mana News
BY ANDREA O'NEIL
Last updated 13:38 27/03/2012
Kris Dando
MOVING ON: Tawa Fruit Mart's Chee Chin, Jean Chin and son Ming Chin are moving on after 31 years in business on Main Rd.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/kapi-mana-news/6641979/Tawa-fruit-shop-owners-run-out-of-juice-after-31-years
Kim Chee Chin, known as Chee, and his wife Zia Kuen Chin, known as Jean, have decided at the ages of 78 and 76 to sell the business they opened in November 1981.
"Our retirement has nothing to do with the business, it's our age," Mr Chin says. "It's 13 years overdue."
The couple still regularly haul 18 kilogram boxes of produce around the shop, and put their sprightliness down to eating vegetables at every meal.
The Chin family - Jean and Chee and their eight children - are a mainstay of Tawa's Main Rd, with a slew of regulars who visit four times a week.
"We know so many people, so many customers. When we go out on the street we know everybody. Everybody's so nice," Mr Chin says.
The grocery business is a real family affair. The Chin children grew up in the shop, sleeping out back in the storage room as babies, then helping out after school and at weekends. At Christmas time the 10-strong family would man all decks to deal with the holiday rush. Son Ming still works at the shop full-time, and his brothers and sisters will return to work in the shop one last time this Saturday.
After immigrating from southern China in 1957, Mr and Mrs Chin worked at Mr Chin's parents' fruit shop in Miramar before opening their own shop in Ngaio in 1971. Short on space, they relocated to Tawa a decade later.
The couple hasn't thought too much about how they'll spend their retirement, beyond a visit to their hometown of Taishan. "We've got plenty of time to think about it," Mr Chin says.
- Kapi-Mana News
BY ANDREA O'NEIL
Last updated 13:38 27/03/2012
Kris Dando
MOVING ON: Tawa Fruit Mart's Chee Chin, Jean Chin and son Ming Chin are moving on after 31 years in business on Main Rd.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/kapi-mana-news/6641979/Tawa-fruit-shop-owners-run-out-of-juice-after-31-years
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Auckland bosses accused of racis
A desperate Auckland jobseeker is leaving New Zealand after coming up against racial bias in his job hunt, including the suggestion he needed to change his name to an English-sounding one just to land an interview.
Anti-discrimination organisations are warning this type of racial prejudice is wasting some of New Zealand's top talent.
Yik Kun Heng applied for 175 jobs after graduating from the University of Auckland with a first-class masters in political science.
He received just three interview requests, while his classmates with English-sounding names secured jobs.
The frustrated graduate sought advice from a career adviser and colleague, and they told him to change his name to an Anglo-Saxon one.
''It's almost like you have to give up your identity, everything you are as a person your history just to secure a job and pay cheque. That's too much of an ask for anyone.''
Heng is part of a wave of New Zealand-Asians hitting the workforce this decade.
His Malaysian parents moved here during the boom migration period of the 1990s.
Heng is a panelist on an upcoming debate in Auckland questioning whether workers of Asian descent are being locked out of jobs and promotions.
Young Chinese organisation Future Dragonz set up the Slanted discussion White or Wong to tackle employee discrimination and cultural stereotyping.
Although Heng was eventually hired at a telecommunications company after a seven-month job hunt, he has decided to leave for Hong Kong.
''No one should have to fight that hard to get a pay cheque, and that's just to get a job. To get a career, what am I going to have to do?''
Heng said he looked forward to being judged on his skills, rather than his name and ethnicity.
Research shows Asian migrants are far more likely to have negative employment experiences compared to South Africans and British migrants.
Massey University sociology professor Paul Spoonley said while attitudes towards immigrants from Asia have steadily improved, there are some major issues.
''One is in the labour market. Employers have not caught up with the fact Asians immigrants and New Zealand-born are a huge part of our labour supply.''
Employers tend to discount foreign qualifications and experience of Asian migrants, or simply think the candidate will not fit the workplace culture.
''They see these immigrants as high risk and don't want to take that risk,'' he said. ''They see a surname and they make a judgement.''
Ethnic minorities also faced discrimination once in the workplace.
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The Human Rights Commission receives, on average, 472 complaints about racial discrimination, incitement and harassment each year.
Race complaints regarding employment are the most frequent and Asians are the most common target.
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said if you marginalise a community you are only hurting yourself.
''If people are employed below their level of qualifications then that is a loss to the economy. If they're not employed at all, that is a loss to the economy.'' And the workforce in New Zealand will only get more diverse.
Almost one in four people living here was born overseas. About 60 per cent of Auckland residents are immigrants or second-generation children.
Yet despite the growing diversity of our country, racist views of immigrants and their Kiwi-born children persist.
Strangers have abused and shouted ''go home'' at Fabian Low.
His home is Auckland. He is from Christchurch. He was born in Singapore.
He is one of the growing number of New Zealanders referred to as the 1.5 generation, with their identity wedged between Aotearoa and Asia.
Many of the 1.5 generation came to New Zealand during the wave of migration from Asia during the 1990s.
Low arrived at a Christchurch boarding school 18 years ago, aged 14. His parents followed a year later.
Racial slurs aside, Low says it is difficult to gauge how deep racial bias and prejudice runs in this nation.
''A minority of people openly expressed their [racist] views at me in Christchurch, but what I don't know is what is going on deep in people's minds.
''In Auckland it's more subtle. That's not to say it doesn't exist.''
Gently spoken and with a self-deprecating sense of humour, Low confesses to trying to fit in with other New Zealand men the only way he knew how - by drinking.
''I would drink regularly to keep up with my friends. It really wasn't good. I don't regret it because I'm responsible for myself, but I did it for all the wrong reasons.''
Rather than forcing assimilation on our newest New Zealanders, there should be a greater emphasis on integration whereby two cultures come together, he said.
ISSUES OF DISCRIMINATION: The first of the Slanted debate series is on March 28 at 6pm. Entry $10.futuredragonz.org.nz/events.html.
Last updated 07:48 25/03/2012
Stuart #8 via mobile 02:50 pm Mar 25 2012
That sounds both sexist and racist to be honest.
Brett #7 12:29 pm Mar 25 2012
I'm thinking this isn't as much about racism, as it is more to do with the fact that he has a Social Science/Arts degree - gimme a break, those degrees are useless. I started my original degree doing organisational psychology - what a waste of time! You won't get a job that way! Do computer science or something that has a real skill based background
Johnny #6 11:51 am Mar 25 2012
As an arts graduate myself, I had a lot of trouble securing a position when I graduated some years back. This is probably the issue here, rather than racism.
Lou #5 11:26 am Mar 25 2012
You only have to look at the jail statistic to see who we should encourage to stay and breed in this country. 55% of the jail population come from one ethnic minority, 2% from the Asian community. The answer is obvious but sadly there are to many with a vested interest in the perpetuation of crime for it to every be allowed to be debated in the mainstream media.
Paul343 #4 10:58 am Mar 25 2012
I'm not so sure, I would suggest the 'problem' might be that he has a Political Science degree. I have one of those as well, and didn't get a job until I got a more commercially focused degree. The fact is, universities are churning out grads with useless degrees. I'm sure if Mr. Wong had a hons degree in Engineering or even Accounting, he wouldn't be having any problems with 'racists'.
Kate #3 10:57 am Mar 25 2012
I feel for many foreigners coming to New Zealand to start a brighter future (sic), because this is not always the case. I also have a foreign surname, from Dutch decent. My profession in the medical field is sort after, but after 150+ job applications, I am off to Australia to seek a brighter future. I am sick and tired of hearing that I do have an accent, speak fast, what are your qualifications? etc. Many people making these comments do not even have any qualifications to their name. Paying thousands of dollars to get residence permits, work permits and even my Kiwi citizenship has brought me nothing but misery. I have wasted more than 10 years of my working life on people that are ungrateful xenophobic individuals. The people that treated me with respect was the indigenous Maori, but what a shame I did not get the same from the more "educated" so-called Europeans. New Zealand people are shooting them in the foot, New Zealand will never progress in many sectors due to their racist outlook. I am looking forward to offer my services somewhere else where I will be treated like a human being and be able to retain my dignity.
ygb #2 10:41 am Mar 25 2012
Are the perpetrators of the racist attitude towards Asians jealous of their ability towards work and success without moaning to the government that they can't cope, and require an apology and handouts for the way they were treated in the early 20th century? I tend to think that Asian are very bright and hard working, probably much to the anguish of some sectors of our society. NZ's loss.
Underprivileged Asian #1 10:23 am Mar 25 2012
I totally agree with this opinion but a majority of the people here ARE NOT like these rotten apples. I had to leave a good paying job as my GM made a comment that "he prefers women" in the presence of the HR Manager and also being called "@#$%ing Indian @#$t" by one of his cronies. The Community Law Centre addressed my concerns. They were very helpful but this same HR Manager, at the mediation, refused to accept that the GM had made that comment. This was mid Dec2011. I'm still without a job and it's the lowest point in my life, ever!!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6633681/Auckland-bosses-accused-of-racism#comments
Anti-discrimination organisations are warning this type of racial prejudice is wasting some of New Zealand's top talent.
Yik Kun Heng applied for 175 jobs after graduating from the University of Auckland with a first-class masters in political science.
He received just three interview requests, while his classmates with English-sounding names secured jobs.
The frustrated graduate sought advice from a career adviser and colleague, and they told him to change his name to an Anglo-Saxon one.
''It's almost like you have to give up your identity, everything you are as a person your history just to secure a job and pay cheque. That's too much of an ask for anyone.''
Heng is part of a wave of New Zealand-Asians hitting the workforce this decade.
His Malaysian parents moved here during the boom migration period of the 1990s.
Heng is a panelist on an upcoming debate in Auckland questioning whether workers of Asian descent are being locked out of jobs and promotions.
Young Chinese organisation Future Dragonz set up the Slanted discussion White or Wong to tackle employee discrimination and cultural stereotyping.
Although Heng was eventually hired at a telecommunications company after a seven-month job hunt, he has decided to leave for Hong Kong.
''No one should have to fight that hard to get a pay cheque, and that's just to get a job. To get a career, what am I going to have to do?''
Heng said he looked forward to being judged on his skills, rather than his name and ethnicity.
Research shows Asian migrants are far more likely to have negative employment experiences compared to South Africans and British migrants.
Massey University sociology professor Paul Spoonley said while attitudes towards immigrants from Asia have steadily improved, there are some major issues.
''One is in the labour market. Employers have not caught up with the fact Asians immigrants and New Zealand-born are a huge part of our labour supply.''
Employers tend to discount foreign qualifications and experience of Asian migrants, or simply think the candidate will not fit the workplace culture.
''They see these immigrants as high risk and don't want to take that risk,'' he said. ''They see a surname and they make a judgement.''
Ethnic minorities also faced discrimination once in the workplace.
Ad Feedback
The Human Rights Commission receives, on average, 472 complaints about racial discrimination, incitement and harassment each year.
Race complaints regarding employment are the most frequent and Asians are the most common target.
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said if you marginalise a community you are only hurting yourself.
''If people are employed below their level of qualifications then that is a loss to the economy. If they're not employed at all, that is a loss to the economy.'' And the workforce in New Zealand will only get more diverse.
Almost one in four people living here was born overseas. About 60 per cent of Auckland residents are immigrants or second-generation children.
Yet despite the growing diversity of our country, racist views of immigrants and their Kiwi-born children persist.
Strangers have abused and shouted ''go home'' at Fabian Low.
His home is Auckland. He is from Christchurch. He was born in Singapore.
He is one of the growing number of New Zealanders referred to as the 1.5 generation, with their identity wedged between Aotearoa and Asia.
Many of the 1.5 generation came to New Zealand during the wave of migration from Asia during the 1990s.
Low arrived at a Christchurch boarding school 18 years ago, aged 14. His parents followed a year later.
Racial slurs aside, Low says it is difficult to gauge how deep racial bias and prejudice runs in this nation.
''A minority of people openly expressed their [racist] views at me in Christchurch, but what I don't know is what is going on deep in people's minds.
''In Auckland it's more subtle. That's not to say it doesn't exist.''
Gently spoken and with a self-deprecating sense of humour, Low confesses to trying to fit in with other New Zealand men the only way he knew how - by drinking.
''I would drink regularly to keep up with my friends. It really wasn't good. I don't regret it because I'm responsible for myself, but I did it for all the wrong reasons.''
Rather than forcing assimilation on our newest New Zealanders, there should be a greater emphasis on integration whereby two cultures come together, he said.
ISSUES OF DISCRIMINATION: The first of the Slanted debate series is on March 28 at 6pm. Entry $10.futuredragonz.org.nz/events.html.
Last updated 07:48 25/03/2012
Stuart #8 via mobile 02:50 pm Mar 25 2012
That sounds both sexist and racist to be honest.
Brett #7 12:29 pm Mar 25 2012
I'm thinking this isn't as much about racism, as it is more to do with the fact that he has a Social Science/Arts degree - gimme a break, those degrees are useless. I started my original degree doing organisational psychology - what a waste of time! You won't get a job that way! Do computer science or something that has a real skill based background
Johnny #6 11:51 am Mar 25 2012
As an arts graduate myself, I had a lot of trouble securing a position when I graduated some years back. This is probably the issue here, rather than racism.
Lou #5 11:26 am Mar 25 2012
You only have to look at the jail statistic to see who we should encourage to stay and breed in this country. 55% of the jail population come from one ethnic minority, 2% from the Asian community. The answer is obvious but sadly there are to many with a vested interest in the perpetuation of crime for it to every be allowed to be debated in the mainstream media.
Paul343 #4 10:58 am Mar 25 2012
I'm not so sure, I would suggest the 'problem' might be that he has a Political Science degree. I have one of those as well, and didn't get a job until I got a more commercially focused degree. The fact is, universities are churning out grads with useless degrees. I'm sure if Mr. Wong had a hons degree in Engineering or even Accounting, he wouldn't be having any problems with 'racists'.
Kate #3 10:57 am Mar 25 2012
I feel for many foreigners coming to New Zealand to start a brighter future (sic), because this is not always the case. I also have a foreign surname, from Dutch decent. My profession in the medical field is sort after, but after 150+ job applications, I am off to Australia to seek a brighter future. I am sick and tired of hearing that I do have an accent, speak fast, what are your qualifications? etc. Many people making these comments do not even have any qualifications to their name. Paying thousands of dollars to get residence permits, work permits and even my Kiwi citizenship has brought me nothing but misery. I have wasted more than 10 years of my working life on people that are ungrateful xenophobic individuals. The people that treated me with respect was the indigenous Maori, but what a shame I did not get the same from the more "educated" so-called Europeans. New Zealand people are shooting them in the foot, New Zealand will never progress in many sectors due to their racist outlook. I am looking forward to offer my services somewhere else where I will be treated like a human being and be able to retain my dignity.
ygb #2 10:41 am Mar 25 2012
Are the perpetrators of the racist attitude towards Asians jealous of their ability towards work and success without moaning to the government that they can't cope, and require an apology and handouts for the way they were treated in the early 20th century? I tend to think that Asian are very bright and hard working, probably much to the anguish of some sectors of our society. NZ's loss.
Underprivileged Asian #1 10:23 am Mar 25 2012
I totally agree with this opinion but a majority of the people here ARE NOT like these rotten apples. I had to leave a good paying job as my GM made a comment that "he prefers women" in the presence of the HR Manager and also being called "@#$%ing Indian @#$t" by one of his cronies. The Community Law Centre addressed my concerns. They were very helpful but this same HR Manager, at the mediation, refused to accept that the GM had made that comment. This was mid Dec2011. I'm still without a job and it's the lowest point in my life, ever!!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6633681/Auckland-bosses-accused-of-racism#comments
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Elizabeth Chan's speech
Elizabeth Chan's speech to the Young Leaders Network Reunion
23 February 2012
I’d like to begin by thanking the Asia New Zealand Foundation for its support of and investment in the Young Leaders Network. In particular, I’d like to thank Dick, Vanessa, Melanie, Fiona and Adele for the opportunities that they have given us.
Elizabeth Chan speaking at the Young Leaders Network reunion.Tonight, I’d like to share something personal with you all.
My story is not an uncommon one. It starts in 1996 — well, perhaps it really starts about a hundred years before that, when China lost the Opium War and ceded Hong Kong to the British. 1997 was the year that Hong Kong was to be handed back to China, and the years just before that were pretty confusing and scary for people like my parents — those with young children and a great deal of uncertainty about how life might change.
I didn’t realise it then, but I was part of an influx of Hong Kong people who came to New Zealand in 1996. (Mum wanted to go to Canada, but Dad had heard that New Zealand was a slice of paradise.)
And so began a deeply personal journey about figuring out who I was — a Chinese kid in a Māori-Pākehā world. For many of my early years, I found my Chinese heritage irrelevant, annoying even. I didn’t particularly enjoy going back to Hong Kong for Christmas; it was too noisy and crowded. I resented having to go to Chinese school on Saturdays and struggled to master the characters – especially when English had come so easily to me. As many of you will understand, it’s very difficult to find motivation to learn about your culture when you feel like you’ve got no context for it.
Now, looking back on just over two years of involvement with the Young Leaders Network, I credit you all for helping me to be proud of who I am — a Kiwi-Chinese woman; for making me realise that there are lots of young people of all cultures who are passionate about Asia, indeed, many non-Asians who are far more steeped in Asian culture than I am.
I road-tripped up from Wellington today with some young leaders I’d just met. We stopped by a drive-through for a cup of coffee, and Frances told Nic the pin number of her Eftpos card in perfect Japanese, just so the rest of us couldn’t spend her money! Hamish told me he’d spent 10 years working in Taiwan, but still continues to be asked if he’s a visitor. Ephraim has been working with the Hutt City Council to organise cultural activities for the local community to enjoy.
I had stumbled upon the Young Leaders Network by accident, recommended to join it by friends, but I found a community of incredible young people. I am inspired especially by the non-Asians who are passionate for learning about my culture — my Chinese heritage — which took me so long to claim as my own.
Melanie asked me to talk about what I’m doing to further Asia-New Zealand relations. There are many young leaders among us who could speak far more authoritatively and persuasively on this subject, and I look forward to hearing some young leaders’ success stories at this conference.
My contribution to Asia-New Zealand relations is more modest — simply to succeed in my chosen field of expertise and to be a role model for other Chinese-New Zealand women. My chosen field of interest is the law, but it is not a field where there are many well-known female Chinese role models, perhaps with the single exception of Mai Chen. I hope I can, with grace and humility, help to pave the way for other Chinese women to succeed.
In my own way, I have tried to be a trailblazer. I am the only Chinese judge’s clerk currently working in the Supreme Court, where my five colleagues are all white. I am proud to be the first female Chinese national president of UN Youth New Zealand. I was honoured to be the only Chinese of the three finalists for the Young New Zealander of the Year Award, indeed the only Chinese person among the top 10 semi-finalists. I echo what Simon Bridges talked about tonight and thank you all for accepting me, as a Chinese New Zealander, into your hearts and minds.
To end, I hope you all have a wonderful conference. I hope that we can reflect critically on the value of the Young Leaders Network and work together to lead the network to even greater effectiveness. Thank you.
Image: Elizabeth Chan speaking at the opening dinner at the Young Leaders Network Reunion.
http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/young-leaders/yln-reunion/elizabeth-chan
23 February 2012
I’d like to begin by thanking the Asia New Zealand Foundation for its support of and investment in the Young Leaders Network. In particular, I’d like to thank Dick, Vanessa, Melanie, Fiona and Adele for the opportunities that they have given us.
Elizabeth Chan speaking at the Young Leaders Network reunion.Tonight, I’d like to share something personal with you all.
My story is not an uncommon one. It starts in 1996 — well, perhaps it really starts about a hundred years before that, when China lost the Opium War and ceded Hong Kong to the British. 1997 was the year that Hong Kong was to be handed back to China, and the years just before that were pretty confusing and scary for people like my parents — those with young children and a great deal of uncertainty about how life might change.
I didn’t realise it then, but I was part of an influx of Hong Kong people who came to New Zealand in 1996. (Mum wanted to go to Canada, but Dad had heard that New Zealand was a slice of paradise.)
And so began a deeply personal journey about figuring out who I was — a Chinese kid in a Māori-Pākehā world. For many of my early years, I found my Chinese heritage irrelevant, annoying even. I didn’t particularly enjoy going back to Hong Kong for Christmas; it was too noisy and crowded. I resented having to go to Chinese school on Saturdays and struggled to master the characters – especially when English had come so easily to me. As many of you will understand, it’s very difficult to find motivation to learn about your culture when you feel like you’ve got no context for it.
Now, looking back on just over two years of involvement with the Young Leaders Network, I credit you all for helping me to be proud of who I am — a Kiwi-Chinese woman; for making me realise that there are lots of young people of all cultures who are passionate about Asia, indeed, many non-Asians who are far more steeped in Asian culture than I am.
I road-tripped up from Wellington today with some young leaders I’d just met. We stopped by a drive-through for a cup of coffee, and Frances told Nic the pin number of her Eftpos card in perfect Japanese, just so the rest of us couldn’t spend her money! Hamish told me he’d spent 10 years working in Taiwan, but still continues to be asked if he’s a visitor. Ephraim has been working with the Hutt City Council to organise cultural activities for the local community to enjoy.
I had stumbled upon the Young Leaders Network by accident, recommended to join it by friends, but I found a community of incredible young people. I am inspired especially by the non-Asians who are passionate for learning about my culture — my Chinese heritage — which took me so long to claim as my own.
Melanie asked me to talk about what I’m doing to further Asia-New Zealand relations. There are many young leaders among us who could speak far more authoritatively and persuasively on this subject, and I look forward to hearing some young leaders’ success stories at this conference.
My contribution to Asia-New Zealand relations is more modest — simply to succeed in my chosen field of expertise and to be a role model for other Chinese-New Zealand women. My chosen field of interest is the law, but it is not a field where there are many well-known female Chinese role models, perhaps with the single exception of Mai Chen. I hope I can, with grace and humility, help to pave the way for other Chinese women to succeed.
In my own way, I have tried to be a trailblazer. I am the only Chinese judge’s clerk currently working in the Supreme Court, where my five colleagues are all white. I am proud to be the first female Chinese national president of UN Youth New Zealand. I was honoured to be the only Chinese of the three finalists for the Young New Zealander of the Year Award, indeed the only Chinese person among the top 10 semi-finalists. I echo what Simon Bridges talked about tonight and thank you all for accepting me, as a Chinese New Zealander, into your hearts and minds.
To end, I hope you all have a wonderful conference. I hope that we can reflect critically on the value of the Young Leaders Network and work together to lead the network to even greater effectiveness. Thank you.
Image: Elizabeth Chan speaking at the opening dinner at the Young Leaders Network Reunion.
http://www.asianz.org.nz/our-work/young-leaders/yln-reunion/elizabeth-chan
Friday, March 16, 2012
Wimon heads off to Twittersphere
Last updated 10:18 16/03/2012
Simon Wong is leaving us today.
He is packing up his Facebook account and his Twitter logon. We will follow his progress as he writes in 140 characters (the limit for a tweet) about what he sees around the world.
Simon came to Marlborough from Auckland two years ago to work at the Express and has been our court reporter, covering the "list" days each week, the sentencing sessions, the trials and the appeals. He has become quite familiar with a "certain element" of the region.
Being a court reporter is not always an easy job, mostly because people don't like seeing their misdemeanours reported in the paper. Simon, like many others before him, has regularly been pressured by people not to report on their case, or to leave out their name.
We leave name suppression up to the judge and the law, though, and print names whenever we can, so there are no claims of favouritism. Which means Simon has not always been the most popular person in court and has suffered quite a bit of personal abuse.
I remember one caller upset his case had been covered suggesting that I should send "that Asian boy back to China" (and that is the edited version). We had a lively discussion about small-town racism, during which I told him Simon is a born-and-raised Aucklander and probably knows more about New Zealand and its history than he ever will. He hung up.
Wimon Song (the Twitter version of our court reporter) has also been one of our in-house social media experts. He's up with the technology and the language and has regularly sent out comments on the networks to keep followers up with what we've got in the paper and on our website.
Whenever I complain about a computer problem or some other technical foul-up I see him look at me with an expression that says, "You poor dinosaur". It's the same look I get from my son.
We'll miss Simon, another soul to have passed briefly through our newsroom, and wish him well as he returns to Auckland before his big overseas adventures.
- The Marlborough Express
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/blogs/editors-blog/6585281/Wimon-heads-off-to-Twittersphere
Simon Wong is leaving us today.
He is packing up his Facebook account and his Twitter logon. We will follow his progress as he writes in 140 characters (the limit for a tweet) about what he sees around the world.
Simon came to Marlborough from Auckland two years ago to work at the Express and has been our court reporter, covering the "list" days each week, the sentencing sessions, the trials and the appeals. He has become quite familiar with a "certain element" of the region.
Being a court reporter is not always an easy job, mostly because people don't like seeing their misdemeanours reported in the paper. Simon, like many others before him, has regularly been pressured by people not to report on their case, or to leave out their name.
We leave name suppression up to the judge and the law, though, and print names whenever we can, so there are no claims of favouritism. Which means Simon has not always been the most popular person in court and has suffered quite a bit of personal abuse.
I remember one caller upset his case had been covered suggesting that I should send "that Asian boy back to China" (and that is the edited version). We had a lively discussion about small-town racism, during which I told him Simon is a born-and-raised Aucklander and probably knows more about New Zealand and its history than he ever will. He hung up.
Wimon Song (the Twitter version of our court reporter) has also been one of our in-house social media experts. He's up with the technology and the language and has regularly sent out comments on the networks to keep followers up with what we've got in the paper and on our website.
Whenever I complain about a computer problem or some other technical foul-up I see him look at me with an expression that says, "You poor dinosaur". It's the same look I get from my son.
We'll miss Simon, another soul to have passed briefly through our newsroom, and wish him well as he returns to Auckland before his big overseas adventures.
- The Marlborough Express
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/blogs/editors-blog/6585281/Wimon-heads-off-to-Twittersphere
Noodle king takes on local shop
Chain food outlet Noodle Canteen is the second noodle shop in five months to open in Blenheim.
Noodle Corner in High St opened in November last year and Noodle Canteen opened in Market St last week.
Christchurch-based Noodle Canteen director James Truong also owns the Queenstown, Invercargill and Richmond stores and said he had been requested to open a Blenheim store.
"I've had people who come into the store in Richmond saying, `I live in Blenheim, when are you going to open a store there?', so I thought, let's open one up."
There are more than 65 Noodle Canteen branches in New Zealand serving up a fusion of Asian dishes and Blenheim's enthusiastic response has been a good start, he said.
"I've had one guy come in nearly every day this week, he is crossing off all the dishes as he goes, I told him when he gets to 40, I'll shout him a drink."
The staff chop fresh meat and vegetables in between busy periods and customers can watch their lightning fast skills while they wait for their food, he said.
Noodle Corner and Asian Food Warehouse owner Udomsak Juchange, known as Dom, said the noodle concept was popular in Blenheim because it was a fast, easy and cheap meal.
"We have been quite busy, I think people are wanting a different taste, something new," he said. He expects Noodle Canteen to have an effect on his business in the short term, "but in the long run it will be fine".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/6585242/Noodle-king-takes-on-local-shop
Noodle Corner in High St opened in November last year and Noodle Canteen opened in Market St last week.
Christchurch-based Noodle Canteen director James Truong also owns the Queenstown, Invercargill and Richmond stores and said he had been requested to open a Blenheim store.
"I've had people who come into the store in Richmond saying, `I live in Blenheim, when are you going to open a store there?', so I thought, let's open one up."
There are more than 65 Noodle Canteen branches in New Zealand serving up a fusion of Asian dishes and Blenheim's enthusiastic response has been a good start, he said.
"I've had one guy come in nearly every day this week, he is crossing off all the dishes as he goes, I told him when he gets to 40, I'll shout him a drink."
The staff chop fresh meat and vegetables in between busy periods and customers can watch their lightning fast skills while they wait for their food, he said.
Noodle Corner and Asian Food Warehouse owner Udomsak Juchange, known as Dom, said the noodle concept was popular in Blenheim because it was a fast, easy and cheap meal.
"We have been quite busy, I think people are wanting a different taste, something new," he said. He expects Noodle Canteen to have an effect on his business in the short term, "but in the long run it will be fine".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/6585242/Noodle-king-takes-on-local-shop
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Drug could have new use
Sufferers of a debilitating respiratory condition could get a boost in managing their illness.
Counties Manukau District Health Board is receiving $1.19 million over the next three years to trial a medication that could improve treatment for bronchiectasis, a long-term condition that affects a person's ability to breathe.
The Health Research Council awarded the funding as part of a wider $74m investment into health research.
Clinical head of respiratory Dr Conroy Wong is leading the trial of an inhaler now widely used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD.
With bronchiectasis irreversible damage can occur to the bronchi in the lungs for various reasons, he says.
"Patients don't have the normal defence mechanisms to clear mucus from their lungs, making them prone to recurrent infections and further damage.
"Any treatment we can assist with will be an improvement to any patient with bronchiecstasis."
In most developed countries the rate of bronchiectasis has declined over the years. But New Zealand's rates remain higher than in other developed countries and are even higher among Pacific and Maori children.
Dr Wong says a lack of evidence-based treatments for bronchiectasis means his study will set the agenda for treating the condition.
"Very few countries could do this study because it's not easy to get large enough numbers to get a trial that makes a difference,`" he says Dr Wong.
"If it is as effective as we believe it should be, we should see a marked reduction in flare-ups of the disease, which would reduce the number of hospital and GP visits and also less antibiotics for patients.
"So any treatment that we can do to reduce that will be of huge benefit to all patients with bronchiecstasis."
The study will trial tiotropium, an inhaler drug commonly used to open up the airways of emphysema and chronic bronchitis sufferers.
If the three-year trial is successful the evidence will make a viable case for Pharmac to fund the drug, Dr Wong says.
- © Fairfax NZ News
ADRIAN EVANS
Last updated 08:45 09/08/2011
Conroy Wong
ADRIAN EVANS
TREATMENT TESTING: Health board head of respiratory medicine Dr Conroy Wong's three-year study could change the way bronchiectasis patients are treated.
Counties Manukau District Health Board is receiving $1.19 million over the next three years to trial a medication that could improve treatment for bronchiectasis, a long-term condition that affects a person's ability to breathe.
The Health Research Council awarded the funding as part of a wider $74m investment into health research.
Clinical head of respiratory Dr Conroy Wong is leading the trial of an inhaler now widely used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD.
With bronchiectasis irreversible damage can occur to the bronchi in the lungs for various reasons, he says.
"Patients don't have the normal defence mechanisms to clear mucus from their lungs, making them prone to recurrent infections and further damage.
"Any treatment we can assist with will be an improvement to any patient with bronchiecstasis."
In most developed countries the rate of bronchiectasis has declined over the years. But New Zealand's rates remain higher than in other developed countries and are even higher among Pacific and Maori children.
Dr Wong says a lack of evidence-based treatments for bronchiectasis means his study will set the agenda for treating the condition.
"Very few countries could do this study because it's not easy to get large enough numbers to get a trial that makes a difference,`" he says Dr Wong.
"If it is as effective as we believe it should be, we should see a marked reduction in flare-ups of the disease, which would reduce the number of hospital and GP visits and also less antibiotics for patients.
"So any treatment that we can do to reduce that will be of huge benefit to all patients with bronchiecstasis."
The study will trial tiotropium, an inhaler drug commonly used to open up the airways of emphysema and chronic bronchitis sufferers.
If the three-year trial is successful the evidence will make a viable case for Pharmac to fund the drug, Dr Wong says.
- © Fairfax NZ News
ADRIAN EVANS
Last updated 08:45 09/08/2011
Conroy Wong
ADRIAN EVANS
TREATMENT TESTING: Health board head of respiratory medicine Dr Conroy Wong's three-year study could change the way bronchiectasis patients are treated.
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