Home to China after 65 years

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 1, 28 May 1985, Page 1

Home to China after 65 years

After sixty-five years in New Zealand, Mr Kong Shem of Ohakune returned to his homeland of China last week. Mr Kong came to New Zealand when he was 1 5 and "not very high." He attended school in Wairoa and lived there until 1932, when he moved to Hawke's Bay. In 1 926 Mr Kong returned to China and was married in the pre-arranged Chinese tradition, but came back to New Zealand the following year. It was in 1936 that he came to the Waimarino to join the growing. band of market gardeners in the area. Mr Kong bought a 200 acre garden and farm at Horopito and grew "just about everything," including cabbage, cauliflowers, carrots, parsnips and Brussels sprouts. He also drove his truck to Auckland and Wellington every week to sell his produce. In 1978attheageof 73, he sold his farm, but continued to grow veges on his half acre section in Tay Street. In recent years he supplied Skiers Inn with veges using a trailer towed behind his Hillman Imp as the delivery vehicle! Mr Kong has one son in China, four grandsons, two grand-daughters and six great grand-children. Before he left for China, Mr Kong said, "I don't know what I'm going to do when I get home, but my son is in all sorts of businesses so I'm sure he will keep me occupied if I want to work." Although Mr Kong would like to stay in China, living with his family in Canton, it

depends on the Chinese immigration authorities. "I'm a New Zealand citizen now and they may not allow me to stay," he said. Mr Kong last visited his family in China in 1982 soon after he was granted New

Zealand citizenship. Ohakune Mayor, Mr Bill Taylor, presented him with his citizenship papers at a ceremony in the Ohakune Hotel, which was attended by a large number of friends and members of his family