Story: Chinese

Nokomai River Christian congregation

Presbyterian minister Alexander Don made few converts among the Otago Chinese. This photograph, dated 14 January 1903, shows one of the small congregations of Chinese Christians at Nokomai River. Don is seated at the right in the front row.

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Presbyterian Archives, Knox College, Alexander Don Collection

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Two Chinese gold miners, Otago, about 1900

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Gold miners at Winding Creek, Southland

How to cite this page:

Manying Ip, 'Chinese - The first immigrants', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1084/nokomai-river-christian-congregation (accessed 22 January 2022)

Story by Manying Ip, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015

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Hi There i am trying to track

Carol O'Neill (not verified)
14 June 2020

Hi There i am trying to track my Chinese history.The information i am looking for is when my Great grandfather came to Nz and what was his Correct name The information i have is his name being Joe CHOW/Chau Young Chee he was born in Naam south Village about 10 miles north of Canton City.Chow/Chau was his clan name>it became Joe in New Zealand .He was one of several hundred of his clan's men from Upper Poonyu.(spelling maybe incorrect)He arrived in NZ about 1870.But nothing is known of him or his where about until 1883 when he arrived in Greymouth.He was a cook when granted Naturalization at Greymouth on 29th June 1888.On the 13th September Joe Chee Married Eliza Grey at the the Registrars office Greymouth.They shifted to Palmerston North and had 4 children.Joe Chee was employed as a cook at the Commercial hotel Palmerston North .Joe Chee placed an advertisement in the Manawatu Evening Standard .Re the loss of his Letters of Naturalization and savings post boson the 27th July 1899.9 ( i have been to the library but records where distroyed in a fire) Joe Chee requested a certificate on the 26th Feb 1900 wanting his letters of naturalisation from the Department of Justice. We do know Joe Chee took his son Cecil (Joe Sun Yau) aged 7 back to China until he was 19 years old returning to Palmerston North 0n the 2 July 1913.I would love to go back China and try and find the village and some history of the family.So any information you have would help with my search.

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Story: Chinese

Nokomai River Christian congregation

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Story: Chinese

Nokomai River Christian congregation

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