Author Talk: Merchant, Miner, Mandarin

Join us at Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero for a talk with Jenny Sew Hoy Agnew and Trevor Agnew, authors of “Merchant, Miner, Madarin: The life and times of the remarkable Choie Sew Hoy".

Sew Hoy was an adventurous entrepreneur who succeeded as a teenage gold miner in California, saw the potential for merchant enterprise in Victoria, Australia and responded to an invitation from the Otago Chamber of Commerce to work in the goldfields, where he set up a mercantile empire. The store Choie Sew Hoy established in Dunedin’s Stafford Street was a huge success, while his revolutionary gold-dredging technology improved the fortunes of the gold-mining industry in Otago and Southland.

A benefactor to many social causes, he supported hospitals and benevolent associations to help his fellow Chinese immigrants. When the success of the Chinese in New Zealand aroused hostility, he fought the prevalent racism and unfair government legislation of the day. A man of two worlds, Choie Sew Hoy was a success in both.

Please join us in honouring his memory alongside authors Jenny Sew Hoy Agnew and Trevor Agnew, who will speak about their experience researching Choie Sew Hoy’s legacy, and those who helped them - particularly the Sew Hoy family, Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust and the University of Canterbury press.

Copies of the book will be for sale, courtesy of Time Out bookstore.

RSVP is essential, as spaces are limited - to secure a seat, please email centrallibraryevents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your name and contact details.