A Chinese family

A Chinese family

The first Chinese immigrants to New Zealand were men who arrived after 1866 to work on the Otago goldfields. Their wives and children usually remained behind in China. From the late 19th century some came out to assist in market gardening and retail businesses, but anti-Chinese legislation restricted their numbers. More liberal residence requirements from 1947 allowed wives and children to settle permanently. This Chinese family is seen in their greengrocer’s shop in the early years of the 20th century.