News from the Society

National Notebook		Monthly updates from the National President
Branch newsletters		Auckland Hibiscus Coast Hamilton Hawkes Bay Wairarapa Wellington Nelson Christchurch	2008 National calendar of events (pdf)
Special Society news		Bill Willmott review "Mao: the unknown story" Human Rights in China - by Bill Willmott China Books Classic reprints - discounts available to NZCFS members

 

 

June

Great winter tidings friends

I want to tell you just how great it was being met last Wednesday in Tauranga by our Immediate Past President, Margaret Cooper looking so well and fine. We had an excellent catch up and Margaret asked me to pass on her best regards to everyone and to let you know she treasured your messages of support.

SICHUAN EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
What a grand effort Branches are making with a raft of excellent ways of raising funds for our Society rural community rehabilitation project. We certainly hope to exceed $20,000 to which we may be able to add funds from NZ Aid if our project meets their criteria which could make a significant difference (four to one) to the rural community our Society Projects leaders, Sally Russell and Dave Bromwich locate visiting Sichuan region in the next few months.

PRESIDENT'S RECENT BRANCH VISITS
TIMARU
Great to met the current Branch Committee under President Val last Monday and to learn of their Earthquake Appeal Fund reaching $1,500 and of their intention to nominate some great young Councillors for the up coming Prominent Persons and the Society Leaders Delegation to China.

TAURANGA
Being at the Branch Earthquake Fundraising Banquet last Wednesday evening was a real pleasure, and being able to advise of our Society's current activities, plus to learn how well their Earthquake Appeal is going with President Chris showing the way. The next day I was able to meet with Tom Mills of our National Tours Committee and Tim Jensen of Mondo Travel (formerly Holiday Shoppe) to draft an agreement for our Society Tours for the next three years.

HIBISCUS COAST BAYS
An excellent overnight visit staying with President Rhyl, sighting potential venues and accommodation for our forthcoming 2009 National Conference and discussing arrangements.

AUCKLAND
A visit to the Chinese Consulate and Vice Consular Wang Jianzhou explored launching the video produced by Vice President George Andrews, Kia Ora Ni Hoa, at the Consulte late July before its first showing on Maori Television. Then off to a meeting with Nora Yao, Director of the Confucious Institue to discuss future co-operation on bringing Chinese language into more intermediate schools and other initiatives. Finally an interesting and very beneficial meeting with two great young Auckland Chinese web specialists, Rickey and Raymond together with our web site organiser Anne Newnham, canvassed a raft of options for the future upgrade of the Society's web site. Watch this space for future developments!

CHRISTCHURCH
Then on Sunday to the Christchurch Branch under President Judy and their banquet, fundraising for the Earthquake Fund when 68 people were present. A great event complete with a City Councillor and recent returnees from China, Diana Madgin, Bill Willmott and members of their group.

Recent News:
· Our friend, His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Yuan Yuan is finishing his term in New Zealand early July , and we all will be sad to see him and his wife, Madam Wang Xiaofang depart our shores. Also ending their terms very soon are Consul General Mr Ma and Cultural Attache He Ta both of whom have also formed many friendships within our Society. We wish all these friends all the very best in their new postings and look forward to their return sometime.
· Nominations for the November 2008 Prominent Persons and Society Leaders Delegation close early August and we look forward to your Branch proposals.
· Do watch Maori Television on Sunday evenings beginning 3 August at 5.30pm for six sessions (30 minutes each) for your Society's sponsored Kia Ora Ni Hao video produced by George Andrews

May

Greetings Members

Thank you for the honour of asking me to lead the Society as President for the coming year. It was very sad Margaret Cooper, our outgoing President, was not able to be present at our National Conference in Masterton at the end of her term in office. We owe her much for what she achieved for us especially in relations with China and within executive itself. Margaret is a tireless worker on behalf of our Society and I am pleased to advise she is now recovering well and we look forward to her ongoing contribution on National Executive as Past President.

SICHUAN EARTHQUAKE
What a shocking terrible disaster to strike our friends in China. Some of us know people affected directly and we were relieved to learn Past National President Bill Willmott and Past Christchurch Branch President Diana Madgin who were going to Chengdu with their family and friends group the day of the earthquake, were actually to arrive nine hours afterwards and were diverted elsewhere. Please support your Branch earthquake fundraising activities by assisting in its organisation and in giving. This is one time we need to show the depth of regard for and our true support for our Chinese friends. Please give generously.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE - MASTERTON 16-18 MAY
Apart from the sad news about the terrible Sichuan earthquake, this was a memorable event well organised by Masterton Branch led by Branch President Hermann Geockel and its conference organising committee particularly its hard working chair Donald Simpson. Our grateful thanks to them for a job well done.

Notable visitors included Madame Li Xiaolin and four members from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Yuan Yuan, First Secretary Cultural He Ta, plus a delegation from Liaoning Province in attendance.

Highlights included:
· Addresses by Madame Li Xiaolin who spoke about needing new ways and new ideas to continue our close friendships to keep the work of people like Rewi Alley going
· Ambassador Zhang Yuan Yuan spoke of needing to use film and other new media for imaging our friendship showing people 'fighting' for friendship
· The Vice Chair of Liaoning Provincial Government who spoke of One Promise - we will bring harmony, One Dream - we will prosper
· an excellent forecast of our relationship as a country in China by Graeme Waters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
· George Andrews of Auckland Branch who presented his television production Kia ora-Ni Hao reducing many of us to tears as the emotional benefits of our hosting Chinese Friends were expressed graphically for us. We are so fortunate to have someone who can express what we do in such a media so well.
· George Andrews, with Toni Waho, School Principal who translated the Maori for us, also presented the TV footage of the Taku Whanau project that will be shown on Maori Television just prior to the Olympic Games.
· Sally Russell, Hawkes Bay Branch, opening our eyes to the opportunities for financial support from our government for aid projects we undertake.
· The awarding of a Society's National Life Membership to Past President Mary Gray, so richly deserved for what she has done both for our Society and for Chinese language in NZ.
· The well deserved Society's National Awards of Distinguished Service to John Meldrum - for many years service including on the Tours Committee Tom Mills - for long service as National Treasurer and on the Tours Committee And Certificates of Appreciation to Ken Bain - for many years support as auditor and advisor Donald Simpson - for organising an outstanding Conference, Masterton 2008
· Excellent summaries of branch activities by Branch Presidents or their nominees
· A most enjoyable Chinese Banquet during which we had four presentations on the entries for the best Branch Activity Award and the presentation to the winning Branch by Ambassador Zhang Yuan Yuan
· Hamilton's success winning the best Branch Activity Award with their Branch Tour to China - well done Hamilton, a most deserving effort
· Acceptance of Hibiscus Coast Bays offer to host the 2009 Conference in Orewa

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
Your new National executive is:
· National President Eric Livingstone
· Immediate Past President Margaret Cooper
· North Island Vice President Christine Strickland
· South Island Vice President Trevor Linyard
· National Secretary Alistair Shaw
· National Treasurer Royden Smith
· All Branch Presidents
· Elected Executive Members Bill Willmott Cecil Fowler Dave Bromwich Diana Madgin Ian Howat
· Co - opted Executive Member Tom Mills (National Tours Committee Chair)
Congratulations to all these people on their appointment and I look forward to working with you all during the coming year. Our next National Executive Meeting will be in Wellington on Saturday 19 July.

2008 SOCIETY'S NATIONAL HEARTLAND TOUR OF CHINA
We are pleased to advise that this tour has reached its ideal number of 24 and now we will commence a waiting list in case some confirmed participants cannot go.

PROMINENT PERSONS & LEADERS TOUR TO CHINA
We were pleased to learn during Conference that this event which has become an annual one, was confirmed as occurring this year during November. It is much later in the year than usual because of both the Olympic Games and the Pan Olympic Games. Details will be sent to you shortly, so give some thought who in your community you can approach to be a guest of Youxie for ten days, and who from your branch you would like to nominate. Air fares to and from China will be at the participants own cost. I will be leading this tour on this occasion.

While we keep busy with our Society's affairs, let us make sure we support our Chinese friends both here in New Zealand and in China who need our friendship right now in their time of need.

Eric Livingstone
National President

April

Dear Members

President Margaret is recovering well after her surgery early this month. She would like to thank members for their good wishes, cards and flowers. She is restricted in using the computer and apologises for not replying to all emails.

UPDATE ON NATIONAL CONFERENCE - MASTERTON 16-18 MAY
Mme Li Xiaolin and four members from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries have confirmed their attendance. Delegations from Xinyi City, Liaoning Province and a representative from Changchun (sister city of Masterton) will also attend.

Programme highlights (in addition to AGM business):
Friday:
· 5.45 pm. Maori Welcome and Official Opening of Conference.
· 8.00 pm. Welcome Dinner to delegations from China at Copthorne Solway Park.
Saturday:
· 8.45 am. AGM commences.
· Speakers: Ambassador Zhang Yuanyuan, Mme Li Xiaolin, and Mr George Andrews who will be presenting segments of the television production Kia ora-Ni Hao.
· A panel discussion: New Zealand China Friendship Society, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Chinese guests - Working Together in the Future.
· 6.30 pm. Chinese Banquet. Presentation of Best Branch Activity Award by Ambassador Zhang.
Sunday:
· 9.30 am. Speaker: Mr Graeme Waters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
· 11.30 am. Close of Conference
· 11.45 am. Farewell Lunch

A full programme will be sent shortly to all who have registered. We are so far looking at 70-80 attending including guests. This promises to be an interesting weekend, and it is not too late to register. Contact your branch secretary now for a registration form.

ENGLISH TEACHER FOR SHANDAN BAILIE SCHOOL
There is a vacancy for an English teacher at Shandan Bailie School, Gansu Province. This is a one year position, starting late August 2008. A degree or teaching qualification is required. Salary offered is around NZ$370 per month (2000 rmb); and airfares and accommodation are provided. The Society has been involved in sending English teachers there for some years now. While not preferred, a half year appointment will also be considered. For further information please contact Dave Bromwich, National Executive member, at dbromwich@xtra.co.nz

NZ CHINESE GIFT SCULPTURE TO 2008 OLYMPIC TEAM
Members may be interested to learn that the New Zealand Chinese community will be presenting a gift sculpture to the 2008 New Zealand Olympic Team. The sculpture will sit outside the NZ Team living area in the Olympic village and be presented to the Chinese Olympic Committee at the end of the games. The [Guy Ngan] sculpture will consist of a two metre long modern stylised dragon (symbolising Chinese) with a greenstone pearl on its tongue (symbolising Maori) on a granite base at a total estimated cost of about $40,000. On the rear of the stainless steel rectangular box frame will be the NZ Olympic logo with captions in English and Chinese and on the two ends the names of donors giving $1,000 or more written in English and Chinese. They also plan to have a special book presented to the NZ Olympic Team with names of all donors of $50 or more. A group of Wellington Branch members attended a fund-raising dinner last night, organised by the Wellington Chinese Association.

Best regards
Christine Strickland
North Island Vice President
28 April 2008.

March

Dear Members

I am writing this month's notebook on behalf of National President Margaret Cooper who is indisposed and due for surgery on Wednesday. Our best wishes, Margaret, for a speedy recovery.

2008 NATIONAL CONFERENCE - MASTERTON 16-18 MAY
Three other Chinese delegations will be taking part at the Conference. They are from Liaoning Province; Xinyi City, Jiangsu Province; and Changchun, Jilin Province (sister city of Masterton). We are waiting for confirmation from Mme Li Shaolin, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Tentative programme includes:
· Speakers Ambassador Zhang Yuanyuan, Mme Li Shaolin (if attending) and Mr George Andrews who will be presenting segments of the television production Kiaora-Ni Hao.
· A panel discussion: New Zealand China Friendship, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Chinese guests - Working Together in the Future.

Contact your branch secretary for a registration form, and send it in now to avoid a late charge.

"HEARTLAND CHINA 2008" TOUR - OCTOBER 10-30
There are still places available on this tour. All members should have received in the post a leaflet of the proposed itinerary.
Contact NZCFS Tours Tim Jensen, Phone 07 579 0746 or 0800 22 44 62. Email: nzchinatours@xtra.co.nz

2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
This updated calendar is available here. Please let me know if you have any other events of national interest to be included.

WEBSITE UPDATES:
Members might like to have a look at the following recent articles on our website:
Lu Wanru Tribute to Rewi Alley: About the latter years of Rewi Alley with new information about his critical role in China and why he never got married.
Language When I Was Young: An address by Dr James Ng to graduating Canterbury students in Chinese language in November 2007. Essentially there are two aspects to the address: Dr Ng's personal journey in language learning, though from the opposite perspective to that of the gathered graduands; and aspects of the history of Chinese, specifically Cantonese, in New Zealand.
Who Was Kathleen Hall: A new essay by Diana Madgin. The Kathleen Hall web page has also been updated with information on the present He Mingqing (Kathleen Hall) Scholarship, which replaces the previous Kathleen Hall Centennial Memorial Scholarship.

I look forward to seeing a great number of you in Masterton.
Christine Strickland
North Island Vice President

February

Greetings to you and the reports that I have received from around the country indicate that most branches enjoyed a colourful and successful event to celebrate the beginning of the "Year of the Rat".

Whilst we have been basking in the sun over the summer many regions of China have experienced heavy snow falls. The snow falls were the worst for decades and in many places have caused homes to collapse, power cuts, closure of roads and railways, destroyed crops and sadly many people have lost their lives.

TOURS REPORT: "Heartland China 2008" To date 5 people have confirmed for this exciting and educational tour of China in October. The tour departs o October 10th and returns to Auckland on October 30th. This tour is a great opportunity for branches to promote the tour to friends and relatives. For further information contact: HolidayShoppe, Tauranga email: nzchinatours@xtra.co.nz

2008 New Zealand China Friendship Society Conference - MASTERTON 16 - 18 May 2008.
Donald Simpson reports that registrations are slow, but steady. His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Yuanyuan has accepted our invitation to attend for the duration of the conference. I have also been informed that Madame Li Xiaolin from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is planning to attend also.

TWO YOUNG LADIES DELIGHTED BY OUR HOSPITALITY AND FRIENDLINESS
Ms Lidan Wang (Linda) and Ms Zi Ye (Karen) have just completed their short trip of New Zealand. They visited Tauranga, Rotorua, Wellington (briefly) Nelson, Queenstown, Timaru and Christchurch and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Thanks to the generosity of members in each area their itinerary included all the best places to visit, eat and spend a little money.

Next National Executive meeting is on Saturday 1 March in Wellington.

Meantime stay safe, be happy and enjoy our wonderful summer.
Margaret Cooper
National President

January 2008

Special greetings to everyone - Trust you all have had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year.

The Year of the Rat begins on February 7 2008. If you were born in one of the following years, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 you were born during the "Year of the Rat:" and it means good luck and opportunity

NEW ZEALAND CHINA FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY "HEARTLAND CHINA 2008"
A fully escorted quality three-week tour costings $8,200.00pp twin share (estimated Auckland - Auckland - October 10 - October 30 2008. The proposed itinerary includes Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Mount Emei, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Area, Huanglong scenic area,Miao Ethnic Minority Village, Zhenyuan County via Shidong, Guilin and Shanghai. For further information contact NZCFS Tours Tim Jensen Telephone 07 5790746 or 0800 223362 Email: nzchinaatours@xtra.co.nz

TAKU WHANAU "Wonderful trip To Beijing"
Six students from North Island kura kaupapa Maori immersion schools have returned from Christmas and New Year in Beijing sharing the lives on students of the Xuanwu High School. They shot video diaries of their stay for a six-part television series for Maori Television. The students, three boys and three girls, are all fluent Maori speakers and will present their video diaries in Maori.

The project is the brainchild of Auckland vice president George Andrews, a television producer. Mr Qing Boming of the CPAFFC provided the liaison in Beijing, and funding for the 3-week visit and the television programmes came from the Maori Broadcasting Funding agency Te Mangai Paho. Palmerston North's Mana Tamariki school selected the students from their Media Studies course. Principal Toni Waho, who led the visitors. signed a sister school agreement with Xuanwu High School and invited them for a return visit in 2009.

One of the themes China's One Child Family Policy. The students stayed in the home of students their own age and shared their school lessons. They visited The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and also joined in the school's cultural and sporting activities.

The students pictured above in Tianamen Square are left to right 1. Nawaia Watene, Te Wharekura o Nga Mokopuna. Wellington 2. Aniwa Nicholas, Te Kura Kokiri, Tauranga 3. Hurihia McGregor, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whakarewa i te Reo ki Tuwharetoa 4. Te Kohera Royal, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Mana Tamariki, Palmerston North. 5 Matariki Takao, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Mana Tamariki, Palmerston North. 6. Manawa Wright, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rito, Otaki.

Youxie Staff - Visiting New Zealand 15 - 22 February 2008
Ms Lidan Wang (Linda) and Ms Zi Ye (Karen) will be arriving in Auckland on February 15 for a 7 day visit. Linda has been to New Zealand several times and has asked to visit Queenstown and other centres in New Zealand. Their itinerary includes: Tauranga, Rotorua, Wellington (Airport only), Nelson, Queenstown, Timaru and Christchurch. Their visit is part of our ongoing exchange programme with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Getting Around in China , by Fred Richardson First Edition June 2007
This new book, Getting Around in China, is about China and about getting along. It is a practical handbook for anyone traveling, living, or doing business in China. It is not a guide, but rather a book about the process of traveling, addressing travel resources, common modes of travel, safety and security, hotels, food, Internet, medical care, money, telephones, and other related topics. The book also includes travel stories linked to each chapter, to provide a feel for what can happen while traveling in China. It is as up-to-date as is possible, given the rapid pace of change in China.

The book is not yet being distributed outside China, but you can buy it online (with free shipping) from the University Bookstore in Seattle: search the title on http://www.bookstore.washingto n.edu. For more information and photos, see his website about the book at http://www.gettingaroundinchina.com Fred Richardson 150 Lovering Park Waldron WA 98297 USA emailfredr@gmail.com

Next National Executive Meeting: SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2008 - Wellington
The agenda and information on venue and times will be circulated shortly.

Meantime remember to book your flights for our Annual Conference in Masterton 16 - 18 May. The registration forms will be out in early February 08.

Cheers for now - stay safe and well.

Margaret Cooper
National President

November/December 2007

Greetings everyone

Outcome of the National Executive Meeting - November 10th
An excellent meeting with the majority of our 14 Branches in attendance. The Wellington Branch again organised an excellent catering services with tea/coffee and biscuits available on arrival followed by a delicious lunch.

The meeting began with a tribute too Marie Greetham and Helen Fowler whom both passed away recently.

Each Branch present reported on the yearly activities to date. Our National Treasurer Tom Mills relinquished his financial chains onto Royden Smith from the Nelson Branch. A transition period is being adopted to allow Royden to learn the process our society use. Tom Mills has been outstanding as the National Treasurer over the recent years and though he his sharing this knowledge with Royden he will be greatly missed. Tom is continuing his interest in the Tours Committee. A vote of thanks was given to Tom.

2008 Tour: The Tour Committee outlined the proposed 2008 tour to China and tabled a proposal for the future of the society tours. After much discussion it was agreed that the National President form a subcommittee to work with the Tours Committee on preparing a contract with Tim Jensen - Holiday Shoppe Tauranga to independently organise tours on behalf of the society.

Website: Eric Livingstone advised the Society that the website is proving more popular with greater interest particularly from the Auckland area. However, branches and members are still encouraged to provide new items of interest.

Rewi Alley: It was reported that the Rewi Alley Tour in September 07 was an outstanding success and branches are encouraged to celebrate Rewi's 110th birthday on December 2nd.

Taku Whanau: George Andrews from Auckland shared the Taku Whanau project that has finally become a reality and the 5 students depart for Beijing on 12 December returning on 3 January 2008. They are being home hosted in Beijing and will produce a television documentary for Maori TV.

He Ming Qing Project: The He Ming Qing Project expansion to 2012 was approved along with approval for financial assistance from the National Society. The success of the project will in part rely on donations from branches. It was suggested the branches consider donating approximately $3 per member to allow the fund to grow slightly each year.

Important Delegation - Youxie visit:
A delegation of 15 people led by Mr Yao Cheng in late November will visit Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Branches in those areas were asked to meet with the delegation.

Youxie visit
Youxie Beijing will be sending a staff member to New Zealand in February 2008 to be hosted by various branches. Details and dates of the visit are not currently available but will be circulated when received. Christchurch, Wairarapa, Wellington, Timaru, Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Hamilton, Hibiscus Coast, Palmerston North offered to be host branches.

2008 Conference - Masterton
Mr Donald Simpson advised that planning is well underway. However it is recommended that delegates attending the conference book their flights how. Registration forms will be circulated in early February 2008.

New Project - Proposal for a Rewi Alley Memorial Challenge Rowing Cup - Whanganui river.
Mr Dave Feickert from Wanganui proposes to hold the first Rewi Alley Memorial Challenge Cup for youth crews (under 18's) on the first Saturday after Rewi Alley's birthday (2 December 1897). Support was given for this event and Dave will keep the society informed of the progress of the event.

Society Awards
Trevor Linyard is continuing to revise and update our special awards that are presented annually at our conference. He is also co-ordinating a review of the Best Branch Award. Comments about both of these have been solicited and are still appreciated.

KOHA Congratulations to Sally Russell.
Sally has been elected to a two-year position on the Programme Management Committee for KOHA made up of four NGO (non-government organisation) representatives, one from NZAID and an independent chair. KOHA is a government fund that supports projects such as our support for poverty relief in Guangxi and cooperative development in the area around Shandan.

The Confucius Institute
Ian Howat, Cecil Fowler and past National Executive member Stan Boyle met on Thursday 4 October with the Institute Directors. After a fruitful meeting it was recommended maintaining a close working partnership between the Confucius Institute and the New Zealand China Friendship Society.

Next National Executive Meeting: SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2008

Cheers for now - stay safe and well
Margaret Cooper
National President

October 2007

An Amazing Journey and a Grand Tribute to a Great New Zealander who was loved and respected by the Chinese People.

Rewi Alley 110th Birthday celebrations - 80 years since his arrived in China - 20 years since his death.

I had the honour last month of leading the New Zealand China Friendship Society Rewi Alley delegation to China for the above celebrations. Also attending were members of Rewi's family, participants on the Society's 2007 Silk Road Tour, a delegation from the Maori New Zealand China Friendship Society, New Zealand Ambassador Tony Browne and Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yuanyuan.

The main celebration was held in The Great Hall of the People in Beijing and it was an emotional, but memorable event for all of the three hundred people present. The proceedings commenced with a DVD featuring Rewi's latter years, followed by poems that Rewi had composed, and concluded with formal speeches. All speakers referred to Rewi as being a Great New Zealander and highly honoured by the Chinese people, a determined person who achieved so much in his 60 years living and working with the Chinese people.

Later all the guests reassembled outside Rewi's residence in the Youxie compound for more speeches and the presentation of gifts from New Zealand to the Rewi Alley Museum. Our society presented a Whakairo (Maori carving) of Rewi Maniapoto, the Maori chief after whom Rewi was named. During the afternoon the International Committee of Gung Ho conducted a seminar on the role of Rewi and again special tributes were paid to this humble man.

The three delegations then visited the Soong Ching Ling Residence in Beijing for a tour and dinner in the garden. During the evening thoughts, readings and inspirations of Rewi Alley were shared with those present along with Kiwi and Chinese songs.

The next day we all flew to Lanzhou and were welcomed by Party Secretary Lu Hao from the Gansu Provincial Government and other Gansu officials. One of the highlights of this visit was traveling by bus through the beautiful and ever changing landscape from Lanzhou to Shandan. We travelled through new forests, farmland and open spaces where shepherds watched their flocks. Scenery that is similar to parts of the South Island and I remembered that Rewi spoke of this landscape being a little like home in New Zealand.

At the Shandan Bailie School we were all welcomed by hundreds of the school's children singing, clapping and waving flags. The formal meeting again saluted Rewi's work and life, followed by a tour of his residence and viewing of hundreds of photos embracing the 8 years he lived at the Shandan Bailie School. An afternoon forum mainly focused on the time Rewi spent at the Shandan Bailie School and the impact on the lives of those he taught. The changes to the teaching methods, living in the Shandan region, the families and outlook of life were reflected by students, teachers and friends.

Later in the afternoon everyone visited the Museum to view the collection of Chinese art, and the memorial to Rewi and his colleague George Hogg. The evening concluded with singing and dances by students of the Shandan Bailie School.

When we all left the next day we all felt extremely proud of Rewi, proud to have attended all the celebrations, proud to be part of such a well organized memorial and proud to be a member of the New Zealand China Friendship Society.

My journey after that took me back to Shanghai, then onto Xinyi City, Qingdao and Guangzhou, then home.

Highlights from the Lower North Island Regional Meeting of the New Zealand China Friendship Society Inc.
Held at the ETC Learning Centre, Palmerston North on Saturday 22 September, 2007.
Present: Christine Strickland, North Island Vice President (Chair) Manawatu: Anne Henderson, Hilary Laracy, Kee Teo, Jill Spicer, Josie Randall, Gordon Ngai and Kate Ngai Wairarapa: Hermann Goeckel, Donald Simpson and Jan McLeod Wellington: Bernie Richmond, Elaine Richmond and Jo Alexander Wanganui: Rod Trott

Wellington Branch President Bernie Richmond gave a resume of the programme and speakers over the last 12 months. Wellington meets 10 times annually including two banquets, all well attended. Members total 176.

Wairarapa Branch Secretary Donald Simpson reported that they held a meeting every 2 months. They have had a number of people moving into the district from China or folk taking up posts in China. They will email their newsletters to other Branches.

Palmerston North President Anne Henderson reported that they had been on the brink of disbanding the Branch, but were now doing well and had held several meetings this year. They now have a Secretary and have produced a newsletter. In the past they looked after Chinese students, but they usually join up with the Chinese Association now.

Wanganui Secretary designate Rod Trott read a report by Dave Feickert. Wanganui was hoping to bring a team of Chinese rowers to compete on Lake Karapiro in 2010. Dave would be relocating back to Wanganui in October and hoped to get the branch up and running soon.

"Beijing Welcomes You" Exhibition: This exhibition from the Embassy (about the 2008 Olympic Games) would be on display in Wellington October 1-15.

Newsletters and the Society's website was discussed and all agreed were excellent communication tools.

Christine Strickland distributed samples of the Wellington brochure and business cards and would email the brochure word document to branches to adapt for their own use.

The Wellington Branch again recommended the use of a listing in the telephone book was an easy reference particularly for new members. The Wellington Branch has adopted the Goal from our 2007 Strategic Plan to promote Chinese Language in schools.

All agreed that the meeting had been most worthwhile and should be held annually.

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH
Mr George Andrews from Auckland Branch has successfully secured funding for the Taku Whanau project. The project that was instigated at the 1st Friendship Forum in Chongqing in 2003 Six kura kaupapa students -- three boys and three girls will visit the Xuanwu Foreign Language Experimental School in Beijing during December and January. They will be guests in one-child family homes for three weeks.

They record video diaries of their experience in Maori. Video diaries by young Maori, for young Maori, in the language of young Maori. The students shoot the diaries under the supervision of professional Maori language director Mahanga Pihama. Mahanga also supplement their footage with professionally-shot sequences of key scenes. Teacher Hinurewa Poutu who has supervised the students NCEA Level 3 media studies throughout 2007 will accompany them to Beijing. She also will act as a Te Reo Consultant. Mahanga and Hinurewa will supervise the students when they post-produce their diaries in Auckland in January.

The diaries are delivered for broadcast on MTS early in 2008. Congratulations George Andrews on developing such an important project that will be recognition for the New Zealand China Friendship Society Inc.

NEXT NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING
Saturday 10 November 2007 - Brian Davis Room, Wellington Cathedral, Wellington 10 am - 4 pm
All Branch Presidents are invited to attend this meeting and your airfares and travel expenses will be reimbursed. So book now so that you can get the cheaper seats. The Agenda will be circulated later this week.

Cheers for now - stay safe and well
Margaret Cooper
National President

September 2007

Dear National Executive and members

I am writing this month's notebook in the absence of our National President and South Island Vice President. President Margaret Cooper is on the way to China, leading a group of Rewi Alley's friends and family from New Zealand to attend the Rewi Alley commemorations on 7th September in Beijing and on 10th September at the Shandan Bailie School. Vice President Eric Livingstone is on holiday in Perth.

The 2007 Silk Road and Rewi Alley Commemoration Tour, led by National Executive members Bill Willmott and Diana Madgin, departs 3rd September. Best wishes and happy journey to all travellers.

Marie Greetham
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that long time member Marie Greetham died on 25th August after a long battle with illness. Marie was President of the Hibiscus Coast Branch which she had been key in founding, had been President of the Auckland Branch and had served on the National Executive of the Society.

Marie and her husband Bob first joined the New Zealand China Friendship Society (NZCFS) in 1982; their interest in China heightened by backpacking through the People's Republic the year before. Marie and Bob joined their local (Auckland) branch and they were quickly elected onto the Branch Committee. Their tireless undertaking of the less than glamorous tasks (Bob used to refer to himself as the tea-lady) was a small measure of their commitment.

Marie was to return to China a half-a-dozen times over the next twenty-five years. The most significant of the early trips was when she joined an NZCFS Study Tour in the early 1990s and spent three months studying Chinese Language at Beijing University in the Chinese capital.

Marie served as Secretary to the Auckland Branch for an extended period and was President for two years, 2002-2003. In addition she was elected to the national committee for four years, ending in 2006 when poor health meant she was unable to seek election again.

In September 2006 Marie was selected to represent the National Society on a Leaders and Prominent Persons' Tour to China. The tour coincided with a Friendship Forum where groups from Australia, Canada, Guyana and the United States joined the New Zealand delegation to discuss deepening and extending the relationship between the peoples of China and those from the Americas and Oceania. Being selected on that tour was meant to bookend Marie's involvement in China friendship activities. Her illness and a move to Orewa had meant she was unable to continue to participate in Auckland Branch activities.

But back on the Hibiscus Coast Marie was invited by a number of groups to talk about the PRC; both the recent trip and as a result of her long involvement with the NZCFS. Her warm and friendly manner and the power of her argument for closer relations with China attracted others to her cause. On February 24th the Hibiscus Coast launched the China Friendship Society's newest branch. The Branch, and its contribution to the ongoing work of the National Society, will carry Marie's legacy towards greater friendship between the peoples of China and New Zealand.

The Society has sent a donation to the Cancer Society, in accordance with Marie's wishes. On behalf of National President Margaret Cooper and the National Executive, I would like to convey our condolences to Bob and the family.

2007/2008 Calendar of Events
We have begun listing a Calendar of Events which will be updated regularly. If branches or members have any other events of national interest, please let me know.

Best regards
Christine Strickland, North Island Vice President

July 2007

Dear National Executive and members

Rewi Alley
In September 2007 the late Rewi Alley will be remembered in Beijing and at the Shandan Bailie School. The reason for the celebrations is to mark his 110th birthday, acknowledge that it would have been 80 years since he arrived in China and twenty years since his passing. Rewi is still remembered and respected today for initiating The Gung Ho Movement and establishing the Bailie Schools.

I am pleased to announce the following members of our society will be attending the celebrations in September: Royden Smith - Nelson Branch
Grant Hughes - Christchurch Branch
Garth Fraser & David Somerset - Wellington Branch
Jacob Daniels - Wairarapa Branch
Margaret Cooper - National President (leader)

Four members of the Rewi Alley family will be joining the delegation: Maurice and Dorothy Alley, Dorothy Weymouth, Philippa Reynolds.

Book Review
Please find below a book review about a recently released autobiography of Raymond Lam, a Chinese man who fled Hong Kong and China to the Pacific Island of Nauru in the middle of the 20th century.

Journey out of China - an autobiography of M. Y. Lam
Reviewed by Keith Lyons
The map on the cover of this informative book gives a clue about what's inside. The cover map features China, the vast Pacific Ocean, Australia, New Zealand and some small dots of islands. This book, in a way, fills in some of those blanks on the map and joins the dots from mainland China via one dot in the middle of the Pacific, and then onto Australia. The autobiography of M. Y. Lam is not just the story of one man. It provides insight into life and the great changes witnesses during the turmoil of the first half of the 20th century in China.

Mr Lam, or Raymond as we come to know him through these pages, is both an unlucky and lucky man. There's a Chinese blessing which goes something like this: may you live in interesting times. Well, our man Raymond does in and through 'interesting times'. His struggle for survival and success is often against a backdrop of dramatic political upheavals and change.

Born in 1919 into poverty in crowded Hong Kong, he is shunted around relatives and by eight years old is working to avoid being a burden on others. Believing he had brought bad fortune to his extended family, the young lad is a uniformed solider in Guangzhou at the tender age of 12, and later takes on exhausting work to support himself and his loved ones. Even though Raymond has been handed a lousy hand, he plays his cards with a stoic poker face. Forced to flee Hong Kong to avoid the invading Japanese, he undertakes epic journeys into China's interior, narrowly avoiding likely death and ending up as a World War II refugee.

Throughout the first few decades of Raymond's life, he manages to pack in so many experiences and ordeals, including the loss of his mother, estrangement from his father, and his tragic separation from his first love. He marries and in order to support his new family decides to go to the remote island of Nauru in the Pacific to work in the phosphate mining industry. While life is relatively peaceful in this Pacific island, it is not paradise, and Raymond encounters new challenges, rising to the occasion and becoming a respected representative for the hundreds of Chinese workers brought in to mine the phosphate for fertilizer. Despite his lack of formal education, he goes beyond the normal call of duty to gain the trust of others, including warring factions. Raymond fights to be re-united with his family and also has to deal with gambling, offers of bribes, favoritism and personal issues among the Chinese workers.

The second half of the book details the events on the island, showing what life was like for the Chinese laborers shipped in to work on the seabird-deposits. Nauru even has its Red Guards and threat of workers' revolution. From the descriptions of functions, Chinese operas, cocktail parties, picnics and trips around the island, we get a fair impression of Raymond as a family man, community leader, wise and loyal employee, and modest man of letters. His love of Australia, developed during long holidays there from the island, is reflected in his warm depictions of people and places.

In the 1960s as the island moves towards independence and the islanders seek a greater share of the profits from mining, Raymond crusades for his family to become Australian citizens, with help from allies on the island and in Godzone. Do they make it? You will have to read the book to find out. As well as being more than 300 pages long, the beautifully-designed book has a selection of historic and family photos, some appealing well-drawn maps, and a useful appendix about the island of Nauru. Essentially a book of two halves, this will appeal to anyone interested in Chinese and Pacific island life and times. The unique circumstances of Raymond's life make this book an important contribution to understanding more about the impact of China's turbulent history and the equally challenging times on the island of Nauru.

(Keith Lyons is a New Zealand teacher and photographer based in south-west China.)

Mission Statement and Strategic Plan Goals
Our South Island Vice President Eric Livingstone has prepared the Mission Statement and Strategic Plan Goals as approved by those attending the National Conference in Nelson. I am sending them out to all Branch Presidents and National Executive members for you to action.

July Meeting
Our next National Executive meeting will be held at the Brian David Room at the Wellington Cathedral, cnr Molesworth & Hills Streets, (just up from Parliament) commencing at 10 am. All Branch Presidents are welcome to attend.

Cheers for now
Margaret Cooper National President