Series Classification: G (General Audiences) | Find the series here.
Liu Boo Lung, also known as Wong Boo Lung (or recorded as Leu Ah Wee), was born on 18 February 1916 in Tong Hor Chuen (village), Sun Wui County, Southern China.
During the Japanese invasion, Liu Boo Lung fled Sun Wui with her daughter, Gin (5), her mother-in-law, Chan Shee, and brother-in-law, Wong Fong Sue (15), to New Zealand to join her husband, Norman, and her father-in-law, Wong Chew, at Mangapapa in Gisbourne.
In this episode, inspired by her great-grandmother's dramatic journey, Brecon Dobbie performs her critically acclaimed poem Diaspora Overboard for director Lynda Chanwai-Earle (herself a descendent of Chinese refugees).
Gin's Story:
Gin is 91 now. She shares a few recollections of China, of her journey, and some first impressions arriving in New Zealand as a six-year-old girl.
"[Back in Sun Wui] I was an only child, and the houses were all fenced. If anyone called, there was a little peephole -- you slid it to see who was there. We had a well, and we often sat outside in our lovely garden, amongst the flowers and shrubs. I only had my grandmother for company. She would tell me fairy tales all day.
"I remember when we vacated our house in China. We saw Japanese bombers overhead, and a bomb exploded about two blocks away from our house. I remember the fire and smoke billowing into the sky.
"I was five, standing there with bundles of clothes and belongings that my mother and grandma had quickly grabbed together.
"I cannot remember being frightened at all, but the adults must have been terrified. I remember a door slamming -- my last memory of China.
"We stayed in Hong Kong for a while, waiting for our passage to Sydney and on to Auckland. It was fabulous. We were totally spoiled on the ship. We had people serving us. We had Chinese food and food we had never seen or tasted before. It was a great experience.
"I take my hat off to my mother because she was spoiled and from a wealthy family. Her father and grandfather owned several shops. She married my father because she was adventurous and keen to start a new life in 'Gum Sarn' (Gold Mountain, New Zealand).
"The overseas Chinese were held in high regard by the local Chinese because they were perceived to be rich and successful. I can only image that when she arrived in New Zealand and saw the situation for herself, she was disappointed.
"She was pampered in China and did not know how to cook and clean, but that did not deter her. She rolled up her sleeves and started working alongside my dad with great determination to be successful."
- Record no: C. 33/24/989: Two-year temporary permit approved 27 October 1939.
- Arrived: 15 January 1940, aged 24, with her daughter, Gin (6), in Auckland on the Awatea.
- Granted permanent residence: with her five children (Gin, May, Don, Lei, and Jennifer) on 14 October 1947.
- New Zealand citizenship: Liu Boo Lung and her husband in October 1958.
- Husband: WONG Ah Wee also known as Norman Wong from Ging Sun Lee, Sun Wui, a market gardener.
Photo: NZ On Air
