Presentation to Chinese parents for Waitemata DHB on growing up in New Zealand - the English version

1. My life Story
Bevan Chuang
Member, Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel
Auckland Council

2. My migration story
 Was born in Hong Kong
 Father出生在香港
 Father’s native of Fujian
and mom’s native of
Guangdong
 Was living with parents,
sister and grandmother
 Moved to New Zealand with
family in December 1996
 Was 15 years old
 Parents separated in 1998
 Currently living with mom
and sister; grandmother in
resthome.

3. 1.5 Generation1.5代
 1.5 Generation (or 1.5G) are people who
migrated to another country when they were
young. They were called “1.5 generation”
because they carry characteristics of their
home country, but integrated into the new
country. Therefore they are a mixture between
new and old cultures.
 Due to the age they migrate, where they live,
how much education in home country, and a
variety of different drivers, every 1.5
Generations have different home-town
characteristics. However, these characteristics
will change depending on their growth in a
new country. Most 1.5 Generations can speak
more than one language, and it is easier to
integrate into the new culture and society than
the adults.

4. My Relationship with my family
 Family expect us to integrate into the
mainstream society but hold on to the
traditional beliefs and culture.
 I took on the responsibilities of supporting the
family in the public as my mother’s English is
limited. However, I still remain as a child at
home.
 The differences between growing in New
Zealand and Hong Kong are:：
◦ School is very multicultural
◦ Academic achievements is not the most
important thing at school
◦ Private or well known schools do not equate to
better academic achievements
◦ There are a lot of extracurricular activities
◦ School Balls!

5. My relationship with my friends
and colleagues
 Non-Chinese people are surprised by my fluent English
 Mainstream think that we only mingle with the Chinese
 Mainstream think that we only like traditional things
such as traditional clothing, music and Chinese food
only
 Everyone thinks that you know a lot about Asia
 Surprised that I am still living at home
 Surprised why I spend so much time with my family

6. Internal Conflict
 When am I a Chinese, and when am I a Kiwi?
 Should I challenge Chinese traditional culture?
 Should I challenge my family’s traditional
culture?
 Should I challenge New Zealand culture?
 How will the Chinese community sees me?
 How will the mainstream sees me?

7. What can family members do to
help
 Family members need to be open and accept
new ideas and activities
 Family members and children can learn
about cultural differences through counselling
or mediator
 Family members need to be clear that they
are being caring, not restricting, and wanted
to open up communication channels
 Understand that the children’s unusual
activities are not rebellious but maybe they
are experiencing difficulties growing up