前政府民族事务部长克里斯卡特(Hon Christ Carter)先生于近日和新西兰潮州同乡会的代表一起前往基督城送捐款及慰问地震受难家庭。
卡特议员和三位潮州同乡会的代表3月30日去基督城，向市长鲍伯帕克送上一张金额为45,090纽元的支票。这笔钱将纳入市长地震特别基金以帮助灾区民众。
三位潮州同乡会代表中，蔡林楠先生和Thanh Tran先生是1970年代是作为身无分文的难民来新西兰的。蔡先生是红色高棉恐怖政权下的幸存者，Tran先生则逃离了当年施行反华政策的越南。他们曾先后任潮州同乡会的会长，并在奥克兰安居乐业。他们感谢新西兰给了他们一个温暖安全的家，希望能帮助其他遭遇不幸的新西兰人。
Tran 先生表示每个人都愿意尽一已之力帮助基督城的受灾民众。
潮州同乡会的副会长Albert Tang表示：“我们要感谢新西兰，因为新西兰收留了我们、对我们非常好。我们中的很多人本来是难民，我们对新西兰深怀感激”
追根溯源，潮州同乡会的成员几乎都是中国潮州人的后代。来自潮州的移民到柬埔寨、越南和老挝定居，在上世纪七十年代作为难民到了新西兰。每年新西兰都会接收一定数量的来自这些国家的难民。前民族事务部长克里斯卡特先生与少数族裔移民社区联系紧密，他表示自己很高兴能协助这次潮州同乡会向基督城捐款的善举。
Lim Nam Chhour, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, Chris Carter MP, Thanh Tran and Albert Tang.
Hon Chris Carter
31 March 2011 Media Statement
Refugees give back to New Zealand
I was delighted to assist representatives of the Chao Zhou Association contribute towards helping the victims of the recent Christchurch earthquake,” said Chris Carter.
The former Ethnic Affairs Minister took three office holders of the largely Auckland based Chinese association to Christchurch yesterday and presented a cheque for $45,090 to Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker. The money will be added to the Mayor’s special earthquake fund and used to help victims of the disaster.
“Two of the office holders came to NZ in the 1970’s as refugees. They have built successful businesses in Auckland and wanted to help other Kiwis who had been affected by personal tragedy”. They wanted to give back something to the country that had provided a safe haven for them and their families, said Chris Carter”.
Lim Nam Chhour and Thanh Tran arrived in New Zealand in the 1970s as penniless refugees, Mr. Chhour surviving the horrors of Pol Pot’s murderous regime in Cambodia and Mr. Tran from the anti-Chinese policies of the newly unified Vietnam. Both men, the past and present Chairpersons of the Chao Zhou Association, have become very successful businessmen in New Zealand. Mr. Chhour organised a fundraising programme among their local association which also includes families of very modest means said Chris Carter’.
“Some people could only give $10 but others were able to raise more. Everyone wanted to help the suffering people of Christchurch” said Mr Tran.
“We want to thank New Zealand because it was very kind to us and accepted us. Many of us are former refugees, and we are very grateful. There are many people suffering in Christchurch and we wanted to help” said association deputy chairman Albert Tang.
The Chao Zhou Association is made up of people who trace their descent from immigrants from the southern Chinese city of Chao Zhou. Many migrants from that city settled in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos and came as refugees to New Zealand in the 1970s as part of this country’s annual intake of refugees. Former Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter has extensive links with these migrant communities and said he was happy to help facilitate the donation.
Contact Chris Carter 021461658
Tim Kano
Executive Assistant to Hon Chris Carter MP
Office of Hon Chris Carter MP (Parliamentary)
Freepost Parliament, Private Bag 18 888, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand
T : +64 4 817 8201 M: +64 21 240 8042 F : +64 4 817 6477
E : tim.kano@parliament.govt.nz
