Dunedin-born Chartered Accountant Malcolm Wong (ONZM) was instrumental in the inception and building of a local treasure - Lan Yuan, Australasia’s only authentic Chinese Garden. In creating a space for locals and visitors to celebrate Aotearoa’s Chinese heritage, Malcolm gained something more - a deeper understanding and appreciation of his own ancestry and he regards Lan Yuan as his tūrangawaewae. Malcolm has held many voluntary roles, including as a trustee on the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust. He has also been Chair of the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust since 2008 and on the University of Otago Council since 2018.

I feel deeply connected to this whenua with both my grandparents having paid the Poll Tax and I have a responsibility to continue telling the story of the amazing journey of our tupuna for our tamariki and mokopuna. The Chinese were one of the founding peoples of this whenua and we take up the legacy of this mantle with pride.

Yuet Khwan Marshall emigrated to New Zealand from Malaysia in 1981 to study accountancy at the University of Otago and is Treasurer for both the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust and Sun Gum Saan Ltd. For Yuet, a deep-seated interest in Aotearoa’s Chinese history began in a very personal way when she discovered a New Zealand friend had the same surname as her own maiden one. The identical Chinese character for their surnames (徐) almost certainly linked their families to the same district in Kwangchow, China. Looking further into her history, she remembered her grandfather’s brother had emigrated to Malaysia in the 1890s in order to mine tin. It’s this personal connection to her whakapapa that has ignited Yuet’s interest in the history of the Chinese, particularly the miners, in the Otago district.

The Chinese goldminers came to New Zealand in the 19th century forming the nucleus of a distinctive minority that has been part of New Zealand society for over 150 years. This history deserves to be told, and I am proud to be involved with the telling of it.

Jo-Ann Chin is a proud third-generation Malaysian-born Kiwi with Chinese roots. Growing up in Ōtepoti she attended Columba College and Otago Girls’ High School where it was a media project on Dunedin’s Chinese gardens that ignited her curiosity and revealed the untold stories embedded in the community. For Jo-Ann, the teaching of Chinese history isn't just about the past, it's about empowering the Chinese community with knowledge that resonates strongly today. Jo-Ann is passionate about the importance of investing in youth and diversity initiatives and in addition to her professional roles in these areas, has also worked closely with Rotary clubs on these issues.

This initiative gives the Chinese community agency to narrate their own story, fostering harmony and understanding. I'm honoured to be paving the way for the next generation of Chinese New Zealanders—so our history can become a bridge to a more united future.