Join us at our next Asia After Five at the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono's Wellington office.

We will hear from Kirsten Wong, the project lead for the New Zealand Chinese Association’s Ventnor Memorial. The memorial is scheduled to be unveiled in Opononi, Hokianga in April.

In 1882, New Zealand's Chinese community began a project to return the remains of those who had died in New Zealand back to their families in China. The largest shipment, the remains of 499 former goldminers, was loaded onto the SS Ventnor in October 1902. Just hours after leaving Wellington, the ship hit a reef and eventually sank off the Hokianga coast. In 2007, the Chinese community became aware that some of the remains had been found and cared for by iwi along the coast. The work to resolve that history has led to deep and long-lasting relationships, between Chinese and Te Roroa, Te Rarawa and Te Hua o Te Kawariki Trust.

The Red Gate shown above was a gift from Te Tao Maui of Te Rarawa to the Chinese community, in recognition of the history drawing the two peoples together.

Our Asia After Five events are relaxed networking events hosted by the Foundation so people can network and hear about different Asia-related topics.

Please join us for nibbles and drinks from 5.30pm. It is a free event, but please RSVP for catering purposes.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

James To (facilitator) - James To is senior adviser (research and engagement) at the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono. He is also National Secretary of the New Zealand Chinese Association.

Kirsten Wong (guest speaker): Kirsten Wong lives in Wellington and has been working with the New Zealand Chinese Association for the last three years - leading the Ventnor work and other history-related projects. A third-generation Wellingtonian, she has a background in communications and policy, and a lifelong engagement in community, heritage and identity.