MALCOLM ASHLEY WONG
Dunedin
For services to the community and New Zealand-China relations
The creation of Australasia’s only authentic Chinese Garden was the start of Dunedin chartered accountant Malcolm Wong gaining a deeper understanding of his own ancestry.
Now nearly 25 years after its inception, it is clear the garden project represented the first footsteps in a larger journey of service to his community.
Since 1997 Mr Wong has been secretary and chairman of the fundraising subcommittee for the Dunedin Chinese Garden Trust.
He went on to help foster Dunedin’s sister city relationship with Shanghai, support the Lawrence Chinese Camp Trust, act as a trustee of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Fund and serve as chairman of the Dunedin Shanghai Association from 2006-15.
He said being able to contribute to the local Chinese community was important to him because historically it had contributed a great deal to New Zealand.
"We’ve had Chinese involved in market gardens, fruit shops, laundries, and in early days through the gold mining.
"It’s happened for such a long time that the Dunedin community really respects the Chinese."
Wider community contributions include serving as a councillor on the Otago University Council, as a trustee of the Otago Community Trust and on the vestry of St John’s Church in Dunedin.
The news of his award was a humbling experience.
"When I received the news about the award offer, I had to re-read it several times to make sure of what I had read and I had to shut the door to my office to compose myself for a while."
