This is such a vital conversation. Thank you for posting this. I'm a poll tax descendent and I think this has pretty much been erased from the history of New Zealand immigration. Most kiwis have no idea that is legacy.
Thanks for introducing yourself to me at the Capitol last night, and for your insights on Park Chan-Wook's film making.
Kia ora Jennifer, I really enjoyed our chats so thank you! I was well into my late 20s when I got to learn about Chinese poll tax in New Zealand, after many years of living here. I could have been a terrible student but zero memories of it being taught during school. I am privileged to have had people later in my life that opened my eyes to how good we are at censoring and sanitising history in New Zealand (and other colonial settler states).
Look forward to digging down into culinary journeys too :)
Go Stella, keep on explaining us to ourselves. It is not silence, but it feels true. As a Dutch teenager who emigrated to Aotearoa at the age of 13 i sort of get it.
This is cutting. You've really started to pierce through something with your last couple of pieces. As a Pākehā man who has never been forced to endure this insidious aspect of the colonial and patriarchal culture we live in, but has come to understand even if only a fraction of it through whanaungatanga and an intersection into to Ao Māori through my better half's whanau, this piece in particular illustrates something quiet profound to someone ignorant of it like myself.
Keep up the great writing (and thinking) Stella. Its super valuable. I hope your readership grows to what it deserves. This is important stuff, and you do a very good job of simplifying it down without losing the emotional impact.
This is such a vital conversation. Thank you for posting this. I'm a poll tax descendent and I think this has pretty much been erased from the history of New Zealand immigration. Most kiwis have no idea that is legacy.
Thanks for introducing yourself to me at the Capitol last night, and for your insights on Park Chan-Wook's film making.
Kia ora Jennifer, I really enjoyed our chats so thank you! I was well into my late 20s when I got to learn about Chinese poll tax in New Zealand, after many years of living here. I could have been a terrible student but zero memories of it being taught during school. I am privileged to have had people later in my life that opened my eyes to how good we are at censoring and sanitising history in New Zealand (and other colonial settler states).
Look forward to digging down into culinary journeys too :)
Go Stella, keep on explaining us to ourselves. It is not silence, but it feels true. As a Dutch teenager who emigrated to Aotearoa at the age of 13 i sort of get it.
Kia ora Tur, what a world would it be if there were more of you than the eyerolls we get 🧚♀️thank you!
This is cutting. You've really started to pierce through something with your last couple of pieces. As a Pākehā man who has never been forced to endure this insidious aspect of the colonial and patriarchal culture we live in, but has come to understand even if only a fraction of it through whanaungatanga and an intersection into to Ao Māori through my better half's whanau, this piece in particular illustrates something quiet profound to someone ignorant of it like myself.
It takes vulnerability to be receptive and do those reflections, and thank you for being that person we all want to see. 🙌🤝💪
Keep up the great writing (and thinking) Stella. Its super valuable. I hope your readership grows to what it deserves. This is important stuff, and you do a very good job of simplifying it down without losing the emotional impact.