Families in Transition: Cultures in Collision Panellist profiles

(please note not all panellists have provided a biography).

Asian Generation X:

Jessica

Born in Taiwan in 1981, Jessica moved to NZ with her family in 1990. After studying a BA majoring in English and Philosophy at the University of Auckland, she continued further with a BA (Hon) majoring in Philosophy. She has worked in various aspects of the hospitality industry and is currently about to start work for ASB Bank.

Hannah

“My parents and I moved from Taiwan to New Zealand in 1990 as the second wave of ‘fresh off the boat Asians’ in the block. Two years later my dad’s parents immigrated to NZ to be with us. We settled in Howick when it was still pronounced with an H sound, and where we can still leave doors unlocked and garage doors open without a care to burglary or theft. I left Auckland to study my undergrad at Victoria University, majoring in Psychology. Right now I am finishing off my BA in Psychology and am involved in a communications company started by a couple of Bananas called Banana Works Communication.”

Enter the Dragon:

Sue Lim

Sue Lim, of Malaysian Chinese descent, immigrated to New Zealand 16 years ago, with her husband and three children. Like many immigrants, Sue and her husband decided to brave the odds and embark to New Zealand, in 1988, primarily to make a difference in the lives of their children.

Through hard work, dedication and determination Sue rose through the ranks regardless of employment circumstances. She has not just catapulted into her current role as Manager of Asian Health Support Service for Waitemata DHB.

Her leadership and development of Asian initiatives for Waitemata DHB since December 2000 has won her 2nd placement at the 2003 Waitemata DHB Clinical Award.

She is very well known in the Asian migrant community and by many health professionals for the innovative work she has done to bridge the language and culture in the delivery of health services to respond to Asian health needs in the Waitemata district.

Her settlement journey has not been without difficulties at the initial stages. Sue constantly reminds herself and new migrants to work hard and endure challenges. She believes that it will pay off at the end.

She and her husband are pleased to have achieved their migration goals. Seeing their two eldest daughters graduated from University of Auckland, happily married and with one now expecting a baby is more than what Sue would expect.

Kenneth Xiaoxuan Wang
Kenneth is Managing Director of leading marketing and advertising agency Brandworks and has won national and international awards for his work. He has a Masters of Fine Art from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland and a Diploma of Design from China. Kenneth is a trustee of the Chinese Conservation Education Trust, a group of individuals whose aim is to foster a love and understanding of New Zealand's special places, plants and animals and to bring conservation to the Chinese living in New Zealand. He and his wife Li Ma came to NZ in 1985 as private students to pursue their study towards masters’ degrees before settling down in Auckland. They have two 'Kiwi’ children aged 7 and 17.

Kitty Chiu

Kitty Chiu and her family immigrated to New Zealand from Hong Kong/China in December 1997 and have happily settled in Auckland. Kitty Chiu has a Masters in Business and Administration, Diploma in Business and Diploma in Nursing. Part of her field of interest is presented in the Social Worker National Conference: Chinese Elderly and Spirituality (2001). Her passion is involvement with the Chinese elderly and immigrants. She actively participates in community projects and social development on a voluntary basis. Kitty was the founder and chairman of Evergreen Group – a Chinese elderly social group in Auckland in year 1998. Kitty is the founding member of the Chinese Social Workers Interest Group of ANZASW since year 2000, the Auckland Regional Migrant Services Trust (2002) and Chinese Lifeline Committee (2004).

Kitty will be volunteering herself to join a fund raising working party for setting up the Centre for Asian Health Research & Evaluation (CAHRE) at the School of Population Health, the University of Auckland.

In addition, Kitty is also creating a community project named Chinese Positive Ageing Project to assist local Chinese elderly to achieve fullness of their life in New Zealand. She has been committed to promoting the health and well-being of Chinese people. She is an active and effective practitioner with a big heart. Kitty’s role at work is the Marketing and Strategic Planner of Ora Limited. Her managerial role is to oversee the Marketing Department and to promote the Educational Programme called Kiwi Ora Programme effectively amongst migrant’s communities.

Dr Samson Tse Dr Samson Tse is the Associate Dean International at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland. Samson also holds the position of Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Development and Director of the Centre for Asian Health Research and Evaluation (CAHRE), School of Population Health, Tamaki Campus. Samson is a native of Hong Kong and has been in New Zealand for over 15 years. He is married with an 11-year old son. The family spent 13 years in Dunedin before settling in Mairangi Bay, Auckland. His research and teaching interests include mental health, psychiatric rehabilitation, Asian health and problem gambling.

For more information www.waitakere.govt.nz

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