Dear Consul General, Madam Xu Er Wen,
Ladies and gentlemen,Friends,
It is my great honour to say a few words as one of thousands of Chinese New Zealanders at this special
occasion to welcome the year of the Pig, and to celebrate the 2019 China-New Zealand year of Tourism.
My name is Wayne Huang. I am the principal of the Institute of Commercial Education NZ in
Auckland. I have been living in NZ for more than 20 years now.
Looking back at the past 40 years of my life, I feel fortunate to have lived in two great countries, China
and NZ, and witnessed and experienced some of their history-making changes.
In the first 20 years, I experienced China’s economic reforms and opening-up since 1978, Now China
has stood up, grown rich, and become strong. It has come to embrace the brilliant prospects.
In the more recent 20 years, I have been experiencing and appreciating New Zealand’s uniquely
inclusive and diverse environment, which makes this country a great place to live, study, raise a family
and do business. My experiences truly reflect these.
As a first generation Chinese migrant, I graduated with a MCom degree from the University of
Auckland. I have then set up and run my own business in Pakuranga, during which time I have also
had the honour to serve as an elected member in the former Manukau City Council and as a Howick
Local Board member in the Auckland Council.
Currently, my community services include being a Board of Trustee member at the Sunnyhills Primary
School in Pukuranga, and an Advisory Committee member in The Royal New Zealand Yachting
Squadron – an internationally known club. It is also the current home of the America’s Cup and will be
represented in the 36th America’s Cup challenge in 2021 by the Emirates Team New Zealand.
Last December, my daughter, Lisa, also graduated from the University of Auckland, and will join the
KPMG Auckland team this month and contribute to the firm’s mission of “Fuelling New Zealand’s
prosperity” and beyond.
I firmly believe that Chinese New Zealanders can “stay confident and work together for a shared future”
with their Kiwi friends and neighbours. We can all make our community better and greater.