Mr Chin stepped down at the trust's annual meeting in Dunedin last week and was replaced by fellow founding trust member and secretary-treasurer Malcolm Wong, also of Dunedin.
Mr Chin plans to remain a trust member, but during a visit to the garden yesterday told the Otago Daily Times he was immensely proud of the trust's achievement during his time as chairman.
The garden idea was conceived more than 12 years ago by Dunedin Chinese community members, then the trust formed in 1997 with Mr Chin as chairman.
He led the effort to get the garden built, and yesterday said he was "exceedingly proud" to see it finished after years of criticism.
The reward was on show for all to see yesterday, as groups and families strolled through the garden.
"I think that despite all the very negative criticism over the years we have persisted, and we have now got a garden here that I and the trust are hugely proud of, and it looks like the whole community is hugely proud."
The garden and the trust have received a steady stream of community awards since opening on July 8.
Income from ticket sales, merchandising, food and tours reached $122,000 in the garden's first 53 days - more than double the $1000 expected per day.
Mr Chin said he ranked the garden as his "No 1" achievement in public life, but had decided to step aside to allow for "renewal" within the trust.
He said he was determined to remain involved "as long as I feel I'm fulfilling a purpose".
New chairman Mr Wong paid tribute to Mr Chin's contribution yesterday, saying his "statesmanship, general leadership and standing in the community" had helped see the project to fruition.
"Whilst we all sort of have shared in terms of the glory of the garden and its success, he's the one who has borne the lion's share of the unfounded criticism it has had in the past," Mr Wong said.
Mr Wong was looking forward to his new role and said there was much to be done - including a book and DVD telling the story behind Dunedin's garden and the city's Chinese links.
