Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust applications closing soon

1 March 2012

Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust applications closing soon

The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust is now receiving applications to its first funding round of 2012.

The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust was established in 2004 in recognition of the hardship caused by the poll tax and other discriminatory legislation, and is a gesture of goodwill to poll tax payers, their descendants, and future generations.

The Trust aims to create a greater understanding of the Chinese community in New Zealand and strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders.

The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust may award grants to any person or organisation, Chinese or otherwise, for projects and activities that support the Trust’s objectives. In the last funding round, the Trust granted $116,004 in total to a variety of projects and activities across the country.

The New Zealand Chinese Association Auckland Inc received $5000 to assist with costs associated with running the 2011 Youth Leadership Camp attended by 40 teenagers.

$2858 was granted to the Chinese New Zealand Oral History Foundation Inc to continue the 21 Voices project which is recording the stories of poll tax payer descendants.

Rebecca Lau received $1000 to attend the Australian Figure Skating Championships.

The Trust holds two funding rounds each year. Applications for the current funding round close on 31 March 2012. Successful grants will be announced in June 2012.

Current funding priorities for the Trust are histories of Chinese fruit shops, laundries, restaurants and takeaway shops; histories of Chinese wives and mothers pre-1970s; New Zealand Chinese Association Branch histories; restoration of gravestones; and commemoration of poll tax payers. Applications from the Chinese and wider community for projects in these areas are encouraged.

To obtain an application form, or to learn more about the Trust, visit www.communitymatters.govt.nz or phone 0800 824 824.

ENDS

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