Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust funding round closing

Members of the public are being invited to apply to the current funding round of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust. Applications close on 30 September 2013.

The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust was established in 2004 in recognition of the hardship caused by the poll tax and other discriminatory legislation, and is a gesture of goodwill to poll tax payers, their descendants, and future generations.

Trust Chair Tony Thackery says the Trust aims to create a greater understanding of the Chinese community in New Zealand and strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders.

“The Trust distributes approximately $150,000 each year to a variety of projects and activities across the country which will help achieve the Trust’s aims and objectives.”

The Trust is strongly encouraging applications that are seeking funding to record and document the history of Chinese businesses. Mr Thackery said “it is vital that peoples’ experiences and accounts of Chinese industries in New Zealand are captured for future generations.”

Last year a grant of $7,500 went to Ashburton District Council to restore a Chinese Market Garden Settlement. This project will provide a living reminder of village life as lived by the early Chinese in Ashburton.

Other grants from last year included $6,500 to a research and art project to document Cantonese Chinese urban settlement in Wellington, $5,000 for a youth leadership camp for secondary school students and $1,000 to help fund a premiere season of the play Chop/Stick.

To obtain an application form, or to learn more about the Trust, visit the Community Matters’ website: www.communitymatters.govt.nz or phone 0800 824 824.

ENDS

Media contact
Jo Watt, Senior Communications Advisor, Department of Internal Affairs, phone
(04) 495 9382 or email jo.watt@dia.govt.nz