Hon Pansy Wong, MP for Botany

MAIDEN STATEMENT

Pansy Wong MP

19 March 1997

   Mr SPEAKER: We now come to what I think we will find a very special experience in the New Zealand Parliament. If I am not mistaken it is the first maiden speech-at this stage we call it the maiden statement-by a member of Asian descent. To help members in their comprehension, I should advise that I have acceded to the member's request that she might make some introductory remarks in Mandarin and Cantonese, but her speech, of course, will be in English.

   Hon. Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Deputy Leader-NZ Labour): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. A number of members have to go to the Finance and Expenditure Committee at 3 o'clock. I apologise to the member, in advance, for leaving the House at this stage. I wish her well for her maiden speech. Ni hao.

  PANSY WONG (NZ National): Mr Speaker, it is with sincerity that I wish you and your deputy and the assistant speakers all the best in your endeavour to maintain order and standards in this first MMP Parliament. It cannot be easy, with the number of inexperienced new MPs-~even more difficult with the experienced ones. This Parliament is very special. Its composition is more representative than ever before, and it has the potential to perform up to the expectations of the majority of the public.

    I would like to thank Sir Michael Hardie Boys for acknowledging the first MP of Asian ethnic origin during his opening speech delivered on behalf of the Crown, and I wish him well. It is with humbleness, great pride, and a sense of trepidation that I deliver the maiden speech as the first MP of Asian ethnic origin. It has been over 130 years in coming, and the path leading to Parliament is paved with tears, blood, hard work, and determination. It is the first step taken by New Zealanders of Asian ethnic origin into this House of Representatives, and a positive step towards the concept of – One nation, many people.

    Asian New Zealanders do not constitute a single community. We have different languages, cultures, religions, and values, yet we share the same aspirations as all New Zealanders in wanting a safe environment, a good standard of living, the ability to pursue our dreams, and a better future for generations to come. The lack of appreciation of these separate identities has not helped the wider community to understand, and the minority ethnic communities to participate effectively. Today I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge these communities by their ethnic backgrounds. They include Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Cambodian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Malay, Lao, Thai, Korean, Indonesian, Pakistani, Burmese, Bangladeshi, Nepalese, and Tibetan.

    Among New Zealanders of Asian ethnic origin, Chinese immigrants were the earliest to arrive. They account for almost the entire population of New Zealanders of Asian origin up to 1911, except for a small group of Indians.
 
 

   The first Chinese were invited in by big runholders and influential businessmen of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce in the 1860s to rework the goldfields and to help overcome the shortage of labour. They were not a welcome addition and became the victims of protests and outbursts of violence by European miners. Two main parliamentary Acts were passed: the Chinese Immigrants Act 1881 and the Chinese Immigration Amendment Act 1896. Both imposed a poll tax on new Chinese immigrants, the latter raising the poll tax to £100. In 1907 the Chinese Immigration Amendment Act made provision for Chinese to pass an English language reading test. These measures served to ensure a Chinese minority in New Zealand for many years ahead.

    The worst excess of community hostility was when Lionel Terry got a pistol and shot an old Chinese man, Jo Kum. Yung, in Haining Street, Wellington, in 1905. This overt racial prejudice was underpinned by fear of economic competition and a desire for racial purity. Chinese managed to survive by the cultural imperatives of hard work, education, and family values. A few examples include Chew Chong, who established a butter factory in New Plymouth, and Choie Sew Hoy, who pioneered a gold dredge that led the world and revitalised the Otago mining industry.

    Due to both internal and, particularly, external changes such as the two world wars, slowly and positively the social attitude towards the Chinese changed. They were accepted as model citizens after the 1950s: law abiding, undemanding, largely middle class, well educated, and low profile-a stark contrast to earlier years when they were seen as uneducated undesirables with low morale. The acceptance has been earned by the Chinese by mixing with, facing, and sharing the obligations of the wider society. It also came at a price, as with assimilation the Chinese language and culture did not flourish. Only with changes of social attitude with regard to intergration did the second generation of Chinese feel encouraged to explore their Chineseness.
 
 

   In 1986, after a decade in which there had been around 100,000 net migration outflow from New Zealand. a major review of immigration policy was completed. This review was finally reflected in the 1987 Immigration Act, which overturned the traditional emphasis on nationality and culture as criteria for the selection of immigrants. Coupled with the increased realisation of economic importance and geographical reality, New Zealand should be congratulated on being proactive in fostering a relationship with Asia. Through increased trade and tourism initiatives such as Asia 2000, there is a growing awareness of New Zealand in Asia, and vice versa.

    Asians responded to the positive immigration changes of this country. It is estimated that Asian New Zealanders now account for around 5 percent of the total population. Between 1992 and early 1996. the new immigrants of Chinese ethnic origin contributed well over $1 billion through spending and investment into our economy. They brought more than their money; this wave of imn-iigrants are high achievers with education, and skills to match. Most important, they brought their children, their most precious investment, without being able to fully control the outcome. Like my late parents. Mr Hung Shun Tsui and Madam Pui Ching Chui, they paid the price of enduring a degree of isolation and separation from their relatives and friends for a better future for us, the children.

   My mother further demonstrated that language was not a barrier to commitment to her new home. She devised a system to cope with names and terms in Chinese. The Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Jim Bolger, is known as the shepherd, in our household to reflect his leadership role and his farming background. The Rt Hon. Helen Clark is the lady in red. However, it is not generally appreciated how long it takes for immigrants to fully settle in. Ties of family, friendship. and business cannot be cut instantly. It is natural to look back for years to the former homeland. After all Britain is still being regarded as the motherland by many European immigrants.

    The increase in numbers, combined with behaviour perceived by New Zealanders to be irritating, has again aroused controversy and racial abuse. Sensational media headlines such as the – Asian Invasion - polls with anti-Asian immigration results, and the politically motivated immigration debate during the last election have once again caused pain and agony. Yet this time it is different. The new immigrants are of a breed that is not a passive target to racial prejudice. They also have access to votes and to making their votes count, particularly in the MMP political environment. In August 1996, over 3,000 Asians and non-Asians turned out to a political meeting in Auckland, organised by various Chinese associations in response to the unfair targeting of Asian immigrants. This time it was also different because of the changes of social attitude in the wider community, and the increasing acceptance of the fact that New Zealand is a multicultural country.

   An ideal multicultural country is one where social cohesion is achieved because the different groups share the same basic values. In New Zealand, some of these basic values are the right to a fair go, freedom to pursue dreams, compassion, and innovation. Multiculturalism signifies social justice and implementation of policies that enable individuals to maximise their potential. It also makes good economic sense. With a population of a mere 3.6 million people, we cannot afford for individuals not to realise their potential.

   New Zealanders of Asian ethnic origin appreciate and support the aspirations of the Maori people. We understand the importance of having confidence and pride in oneself, in one's ethnic origin. Without that pride and confidence, one's future resembles a sandcastle, not withstanding the next tidal wave of racial or other attacks.

   For a long time, the Chinese, Indians, and other ethnic minority groups have not taken an active part in the planning of our nation's future. They have not been vocal in expressing their aspirations for this country. They retreat, and confine their aspiration to their individual selves and that of their families. It must be confusing to grow up with reminders such as: - Do not make waves; there will be a racial backlash - against the New Zealand spirit of speaking one's mind. The violent attack by the cowardly skinheads on the Somali family in Christchurch recently is visible and the public condemns it. Yet the scars left by non-violent racial prejudice cannot be recognised even by victims themselves. Only keen observers detect the symptoms of self-denial of one's rights and responsibilities.

   This time, it will be different. We are known for an innovative and progressive attitude. Our antinuclear stand, our drive for equality of gender, and our recent economic reforms all lead me to be positive that we can show the way towards the ideal multicultural State. It needs to be a true partnership approach between ethnic minorities and the dominant groups. It needs to be bottom up from every one of us, and top down from Parliament. In this Parliament we must exercise leadership. We need to be courageous to ensure that New Zealand is pursuing policies that will enhance our future generations' opportunities in the world.

   Our future generations need to be confident and proud of being New Zealanders, and enjoy the benefits and make contributions as world citizens. In the forthcoming population conference we have the opportunity to ensure that it is comprehensive in its terms of reference and consultation. It can lay a sound platform to formulate future policies relating to social, cultural, environmental, and economic infrastructure, international trade, tourism, and immigration and migrant settlement schemes.

This Parliament can lead by example in changing attitudes. We should be proactive and genuine in seeking input from all ethnic minority communities, and mindful of their lack of resources in participation. We must be honest, bold, and objective in conducting well-informed debates on race issues. Individual conduct and behaviour should not be used to discredit the entire ethnic community.

   It is a real privilege to be able to serve in this House of Representatives. It was made possible by the new MMP system. The support from Chinese, Korean, and other ethnic communities throughout the country has been overwhelming, and I am deeply indebted. The positive responses from the community and the interest shown by international communities in Asia, Australia, the UK, and the USA have given me confidence that we will make positive progress. I am deeply indebted to my campaign committees in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. The Hon. Philip Burdon has been a vocal supporter of Asian New Zealanders, and he has greatly influenced my move into national politics. The National Party showed the foresight to foster a new era in New Zealand politics, and I am grateful for that. To my extended family, thank you for shouldering my responsibilities towards our parents. Without Sammy, Teck Seng Wong, this would not be possible.

 
  To all of them I say that words cannot adequately express my feelings. I shall repay their kindness and support by committing to the vision of “One nation, many people, shared values".

   Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members might like to know that I approved a request from Pansy Wong to mark this occasion. I might add that not only my approval was obtained, but also that of the Civil Aviation Authority to release from Parliament grounds 130 balloons marking 130 years of Chinese settlement in this country-appropriate, I thought, for the occasion today.