Austin Wang: 3 years old

November 2012: Austin Wang's life combines the busyness of a kiwi kid involved in sports and pre-school education, and his parents' Chinese heritage.

Austin is the first New Zealand born child in his family. His sister Yolanda was born in 2012. His mother is Ying Jia Li, known as Kili, and his father is Wilson Wang. In 2007, his parents and grandparents came to New Zealand from Shenyang city in Liaoning Province in China and now the family live in East Tamaki, Auckland. Kili works as a receptionist for Auckland's Asian market, China Town, and Wilson is a full-time dad.

Chinese heritage
The family’s Chinese heritage is a significant influence in Austin's life. He speaks Mandarin and English and the family are teaching him to read Chinese characters. Chinese New Year is an important annual event.

A busy week
Austin attends Barnados Early Learning Centre on weekdays from 1 to 5pm. Until he was 2, he went to My Gym, a children’s fitness centre, and he also swims regularly. Kili and Austin still regularly get together with their antenatal group. 

Austin’s favourite activities include ball-sports like soccer and basketball, and pretend cooking – he has a toy kitchen set. He likes watching Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer and the Wonder Pets on TV.

A family's wishes
Austin was a premature baby, born one month early, weighing 2.1 kilograms and measuring 35 centimetres long. He has grown into an active and energetic boy who is reaching all his milestones. Austin’s parents have some firm ideas about his future and hope that he will go to university, have a career, marry, and have a family of his own in New Zealand. They also wish to instil in him the importance of being a good citizen.