Media statement 20 August 2001

A working party has been formed by members of the Asian community and city leaders to combat violence and alleged extortion within the Chinese community.

The group was formed today following a meeting called by Christchurch’s Mayor Garry Moore.

About 50 people, many from the Asian community, including Member of Parliament, Pansy Wong, attended this second meeting.

The first meeting was held early this month when it was decided to call a second meeting with wider representation.

At today’s meeting, the group looked at what parents would expect of their children in a foreign country, Mr. Moore said.

“Basically, this is a safety issue in the broadest sense. Therefore, we are looking at a code of practice which incidentally the Government is also looking at introducing,” he said.

The group decided to see if such a code could be introduced on a voluntary basis in Christchurch, he said.

The code would provide information an overseas person would need in New Zealand and include support structures and rights and responsibilities of the person, he said.

Representatives of a number of affected groups attended, including the Police, immigration, education, and the City Council and Asian community leaders.

The working party will report back to the larger group as soon as possible.

The Mayor called the initial meeting after reports of Chinese youths being assaulted and being subjected to extortion by Chinese gangs surfaced in the city.

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