News
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Banana
8 June 2005
| Byline: | Kai Luey (Chairman, Conference Organising Committee) |
|---|---|
| Source: | Humanities Research Network |
A report on the inaugural conference of the NZ Chinese Association (Auckland Branch), Auckland University of Technology, 4 - 5 June 2005.
The weekend's activities were preceded by the launch of a book written by two of the speakers at the conference, Manying Ip and Nigel Murphy, entitled Aliens at my Table - Asians as New Zealanders see Them held at the University of Auckland Bookshop on Thursday, 2 June. Then on the Friday evening there was a Welcome Reception for the conference attendees held at the Auckland Central Library Heritage Floor followed by the launch of a book by Eva Wong Ng, another conference speaker, entitled Chinatown Girl - The Diary of Silvey Chan, Auckland, 1942. Special guests at this reception included Hon Chris Carter, Dr Don Brash, Mr Rodney Hide, Mr Bruce Hucker and Chinese dignitaries whilst there was a stunning display of ceramics featuring the "bananas" conference theme.
The conference itself started on Saturday on a very high note with Opening Remarks by James Ng, the noted Chinese historian, tracing the first four Chinese generations in NZ. This was followed by the Keynote Address by Professor Paul Spoonley from Massey University on "Global Bananas, Transnational Tigers - The Century of China and the Chinese". It was a very stimulating address in which Dr Spoonley highlighted that quick integration of the new Chinese migrant into NZ society was crucial to our survival especially as the centre of economic power had already shifted considerably to Asia.
The first Saturday session gave a brief review of the history of Chinese in NZ from the gold diggers through the Poll Tax payers who were subjected to severe anti-Chinese legislation to the current new wave migrants, and was followed by a session on history research sources and methodologies. Then there was a session on participation in New Zealand's democracy featuring Pansy Wong, the first Chinese MP, and Peter Chin, the recently elected Mayor of Dunedin. The day continued with brief presentations by major Chinese organisations on the various activities they provide for the Auckland Chinese communities and an update by the Chairman of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust, James Ng, on the criteria and timing for funding applications. The day ended with an enjoyable banquet at China Restaurant, the newest fine Chinese dining experience in Auckland, and a very amusing after dinner address by Ming Foon, the Chinese Mayor of Gisborne.
Sunday started with a second Keynote Address by Dr James Kember, the Director of Information and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Dr Kember noted that the "yellow kiwis" should be moving away from being an isolated minority and ride the leaping tiger if New Zealand is to gain from the closer relationship with China. Then there followed two sessions which were the highlights of the conference when Inspirational Achievers and Chinese persons with Multiple Identities spoke of their personal life experiences of overcoming prejudices and barriers to become successful in their chosen career endeavours and finding their niche in NZ society. All the speakers in these sessions were informative, inspirational and entertaining.
Then the audience had more serious presentations on Living Together, by Colin Knox on "How to work with the Treaty of Waitangi" and Mervin Singham, Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, on "Dealing with Discrimination". This session ended with Tze Ming Mok giving her ideas on what it means to be a Chinese NZer from a younger perspective. In the final session of the conference, the Wellington Branch of NZCA proposed to hold a conference in 2007 in Wellington to deal with the issue of multi-culturalism in NZ society. In addition, the Auckland Branch of NZCA agreed to look at some of the major concerns raised by recent migrants at the conference and hold a series of short seminars to discuss in detail the specific issues.
There were over 200 attendees at the conference with the majority from the long established Chinese community but with large representations from the younger new migrant who had a good understanding of English and from mainstream Kiwi NZers. About 20% of the audience were from outside Auckland coming from as far away as Melbourne, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Waikato.
Overall, there was a constant buzz and feelings of excitement and energy starting with the book launches and Welcome Reception right through to the final session late on Sunday afternoon. There were some exceptionally entertaining speaker including an impromptu talk at the end of Day 1 from Weijun Collins, the author of the book Desert Rose, about her life experiences in China and New Zealand. All participants related very well to the conference theme of the evolving identity of Chinese in New Zealand in the 21st Century and empathised very strongly with the "banana" concept and the amusing banana session titles. There were many unsolicited comments both during and after the conference that "It was the best conference I have ever attended". It will be a hard act to follow.
On behalf of the Organising Committee, I wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the speakers, sponsors and helpers whose efforts and support contributed greatly to the success of the conference.
