The 800-page, self-published book, entitled Tuapeka Chows, is set to go to print this week, and will be the first of three volumes serving as a detailed historical record of the contribution of many of the South Island’s Chinese immigrant families and their descendants.
Ms Shaw said the project had been inspired by her desire to find out about her own Chinese family background, but quickly grew into a "juggernaut" extending to the many interconnected families who came to Lawrence during the 1860s Gold Rush.
"It had an original working title of The Butcher and the Barmaid, and was focused on my great-great-great-grandfather Chau Chu Taai. But I soon found it was impossible to tell his story without telling the story of the interconnected families, and their descendants.
"That’s meant it’s taken longer than first planned, but also become more of a historical record, as well as being something anyone could read and enjoy as a historical narrative."
She said she had discovered much on her writing journey.
"There was segregation in the early days, when Chinese Camp residents were not allowed into Lawrence township at night for fear of crime. But crime was pretty evenly split between the area’s Chinese and other residents. Relationships were often de facto or with prostitutes, as well as by marriage, and some of the children from those relationships grew into family branches. There are just so many interconnections, extending right down to the present day."
"I’m already 70% through the next volume, which will be more like 300 to 400 pages, and is earmarked for publication at the end of 2026."
Entitled Lest We Forget, it would cover about 90 men and women of Chinese descent who served in the armed forces in World Wars 1 and 2, the Malayan Emergency, Vietnam War or Korean War who were born or lived in the South Island.
"I believe I’ve found more names than any previous research, so it’s been very interesting. There are fewer opportunities for side journeys with this volume, so I’m confident it will stay on track."
A final volume covering the Chinese immigrants of the wider South Island would conclude the project, she said.
Inquiries regarding Tuapeka Chows can be directed to Ms Shaw by email: onemadcow@xtra.co.nz
