Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust now open for applications
Media Release
30 January 2008
Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust now open for applications
Members of New Zealand’s Chinese community are being urged to apply for funding from the 2008 funding round of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.
The Trust aims to create heightened understanding of the Chinese community within New Zealand and to strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders.
Applications for the current funding round close on 28 February 2008. Successful grants will be announced in April 2008.
The Trust was established in 2002, following the Government’s apology for the historic actions of past governments who imposed a poll tax on Chinese persons entering New Zealand, and enacted other discriminatory statutes.
The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust provides recognition of the hardship caused by the poll tax, and is a gesture of goodwill to poll tax payers, their descendants, and future generations.
In 2007, the Trust provided over $340,000 for projects and activities across the country.
The Cantonese Opera Society of New Zealand, based in Auckland, received funds of $2,000 from the Trust for two community events: A Night at The Chinese Opera 07 and the Waitakere Moon Festival. These festivities help to celebrate cultural traditions that were first established by early Chinese settlers and to expand appreciation for the Chinese contributions to New Zealand.
The Nelson branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society received a grant of $15,000 to erect an entrance pavilion in the city’s new Chinese Garden. The garden symbolises the bond between Nelson and its Chinese sister city, Huangshi.
In Greymouth, the West Coast Historical & Mechanical Society was granted $13,000 to publish a large body of material about the history of Chinese people on the West Coast
To obtain an application, or to learn more about the Trust, visit the Department of Internal Affairs’ website: www.dia.govt.nz or phone 0800 824 824.
ENDS
Media contact
Shawn Hollister, Communications Advisor, Department of Internal Affairs, Local Government and Community Branch, phone (04) 495 7298 or email shawn.hollister@dia.govt.nz
