Wong Yau Kwong

WONG YAU KWONG  (1886- 1964)
 
The young man depicted in this portrait has been identified by his son and daughter as Wong Yau Kwong.

Wong Yau Kwong was born in Gwa Leng village, Zengchen County, on 23 March 1886. 
 
He arrived in New Zealand on 22 May 1907. Thirteen years later, On 15 December 1920 his wife Chun Gun Wah whom he had married in 1907, arrived to join him.
The New Zealand authorities would not recognise the marriage in China, so the couple were married again in 1921.
 
The Wongs returned to China some time before 1927, and stayed there until 1930 when they decided to return to New Zealand. They ran a fruit shop on Riddiford Street in the Wellington suburb of Newtown, trading under the name of a previous proprietor, 'Kong Kee'
 
Their shop remained in business for many years, winning the gratitude of needy families during the Depression years by providing free credit.
 
Wong Yau Kwong was a member of the Tung Jung Association.  Life in New Zealand in the 1920s was difficult for the Chinese. There were many prejudices to overcome both socially and in business. In 1926 a group of progressive and far-sighted people from Jungsen and Tung Gwoon counties decided to form an association for mutual help in a country far from home. Thus was born the NZ Tung Jung Association - the first Chinese community organisation to be established in New Zealand. The primary objective of the Association is to unite and maintain the identity and kinship of those who claim affinity to the counties of Jungsen and Tung Gwoon and their descendants.
 
Wong Yau Kwong died in 1964 and is buried next to his wife in Wellington's Karori cemetery.