Finding refuge

Japan invaded China's Zhujiang Delta region in 1938. Understandably, this caused a great deal of anxiety for the Chinese men who were living permanently in New Zealand. The Chinese Consulate and the New Zealand Chinese Association urged the New Zealand Government to allow the wives and children (sixteen-year-olds and under) of these men to come here as war refugees.

But the Government made conditions - the men had to provide adequate housing for these refugees and give a sizeable bond - 200 pounds - towards the cost of repatriation after the war. And that wasn't all - any New Zealand-born children of the refugees would have to return to China after the war, with no right of re- entry to New Zealand.

A total of 249 wives and 244 children came here. The scheme was ended early in 1940 following complaints from European fruiterers - they were angered at the employment of Chinese women and children in the shops of their Chinese competitors'.

The photograph shows some of a party of thirty refugee women and children from the Canton area who arrived here in 1939.

The following publication may be found on the Discovery Centre bookshelves or in Te Aka Matua Library and Information Centre on Level 4. Photographs of Te Papa collection items may be ordered from Images on Level 4.
Ng, James. (1993-1999). Windows on a Chinese past. Dunedin: Otago Heritage Books. Vols 1-4.