Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust funding round closing

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. The funding round opened on 1 December 2013 and closes on 31 March 2014.

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 $6500 was granted to Kerry Ann Lee to research and produce an artwork 'The Unavailable Memory of the Gold Coin Café’. This artwork was exhibited as part of a group show exploring themes of immigration and settlement.

Other grants included $2000 to the New Zealand Chinese Oral History Foundation to record up to ten poll descendant stories so as to preserve aspects of their families’ history. Funding of $25,000 was also provided to the New Zealand Chinese Association to finalise and publish research documenting its history.

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