Interview of Alick Zhang - Stories of Chinese New Zealanders

Planning, organisation, recording and audio editing: Susan Zou
Interviewer, Project support: Lisa Yung
Interviewee: Alick Zhang

The “Stories of Chinese New Zealanders” is a series of interviews with descendants of Chinese people living in Aotearoa New Zealand. The programme looks at the history of their hard work, their settlement and development, integration into New Zealand society, and dedication to contribute and actively promote Chinese culture. The programme also introduces first generation Chinese New Zealanders’ experiences in studying, working and living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Alick Zhang was born and grew up in Harbin city, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, China. After completing his diploma study, he came to New Zealand in 2001 to immerse himself in a different culture and to study English. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Information degree in Systems Development and Information Management from Massey University. Now Alick works at the Ministry of Education as a Senior Test Analyst.

Motorbikes are a passion for Alick and he has appeared in the ACC videos of motorcycle riding safety and training, called Ride Forever. Alick and his wife pay a lot of attention to their boys’ Chinese language and Chinese culture learning, and let the boys attended the Wellington Chinese language school weekly. The boys started to be interested in Chinese painting after their Chinese poems performance in Te Papa in June, now they are learning the Chinese painting from their grandfather, Chinese painter Qianxiang Liu.

We are grateful to the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust and the Wellington City Council for their financial support and Wellington Access Radio for supporting and hosting the programme.

The programme “Stories of Chinese New Zealanders” will be on air from 8 September to 15 December 2019, every Sunday at 9-10pm, on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM. Tune in to listen to the 15 interviewees’ unique stories.

You can also listen to the programme on the internet at http://www.accessradio.org.nz/stories-of-chinese-new-zealanders.html

If you have any comments about this programme, please send your feedback to the email address of the programme: Chinesestoriesnz@gmail.com