Navigating the Narrative: The SS Ventnor Legacy

What was remarkable about this ship was that in its cargo were the remains of around 499 Chinese men who had earlier died in New Zealand. Since 2007, the Chinese community, including direct descendants, have built relationships with local iwi in the Far North, who have looked after the remains of these men all these years and together continue to honour the memory of those whose bones and lives were lost. Murray Wu is a fifth generation Wellington resident, a descendant of migrants who came from southern China to New Zealand from the 1880’s to the 1940’s. He is interested in the history and experiences of Chinese New Zealanders. Currently, he is working on documenting the history of his ancestors in both New Zealand and China. Co- presenting with Murray is Lynette Shum, a third generation Poon Yu Chinese New Zealander and a well-known Wellington oral historian.