Appo Hocton : Wong Ah Poo Hoc Ting : New Zealand's first Chinese immigrant, Nelson, 1842-1920

Appo Hocton, New Zealand's first naturalised Chinese immigrant, arrived in Nelson in 1842, within months of its settlement. As a nine-year-old, Wong Ah Poo Hoc Ting left South China to become a cabin boy on English sailing ships. In his early 20s he was a steward on the immigrant ship, the Thomas Harrison, bound for New Zealand. After jumping ship in Nelson he was employed by the vessel's former surgeon, Thomas Renwick, as a housekeeper, saving enough to buy a bullock team and establish a carting business. His successful assimilation into colonial New Zealand society is illustrated in references from influential men which accompanied his successful application for naturalisation, thus enabling him to buy property. Marriage and children to two European women followed as Appo became in turn a property developer, fungus and scrap iron dealer, and farmer. Described as a gentleman upon his death in 1920, Appo Hocton's story is one of migration, diversity, integration and acceptance.… (more)