Interview of Peter Ngan - Stories of Chinese New Zealanders

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

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.

Peter Ngan is a third generation Chinese in New Zealand. In 1900 his grandfather came from Guangdong to Otago and worked as a trader. Peter’s father came to Wellington in 1930 and his mother arrived later as a war refugee. Peter was born in 1940, but only gained citizenship when he was 7. His parents operated a hardware store and a fruit shop in Newtown.

At the age of 17, Peter took over running the family fruit shop with his younger sister. Competition with 18 other fruit shops in the same area made it a challenging time. Later he worked as a computer engineer at IBM for over 20 years. At the same time he ran a successful bean sprout business with his wife. Peter was Chairman for the Wellington Chinese Language School for two years.

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