PJ TAYLOR talks to a strong and consistent advocate in east Auckland since she arrived here 28 years ago and is a great example that if you get involved, you reap the rewards and satisfaction of a job well done.
Where were you born and grew up?
I was born in Hong Kong. It was then a British colony and where my family lived was a fishing village. We only had the very basics, like most people, but we were happy. The only thing electrical was a light bulb. We learnt to live without. We turned the ordinary into goodies. I know how to use a kerosene stove. I could chop firewood. My father believed that a bright future depended on good education, and he insisted we learned good habits from a young age.
When did you arrive in New Zealand and why did you decide on a life here?
We arrived in New Zealand in 1997. New Zealand had what we did not have in Hong Kong, like more living space, fresh air, good education system and smooth traffic. We settled here pretty easily as we did not have a huge language barrier, although it took quite a while to really blend in due to the socio-cultural difference. Of course, things have changed a lot since then. Houses are getting smaller, traffic is horrible a lot of the time, pollution is a problem – in short, life is getting more complicated!
Did you work and what was your career?
I was a nurse in Hong Kong and worked through clinical, education and management positions. I worked as a practice nurse in a family doctor’s clinic for several years. I started tutoring small business management at Te Wananga o Aotearoa in 2004, thanks to the MBA degree I acquired in my earlier years. More than two decades on, I’m still tutoring small business, project and money management. I’ve now spent about an equal amount of time in nursing and in teaching. Thirty years ago, I would never have dreamed that’s how my working life is going to look like! Recently I completed a course on mediation. I walked into this programme by chance but find it so interesting that I can’t stop finding out more about it. Maybe I will pick up yet another career!
You’ve been very busy in the east Auckland community. Why did you decide to get involved in activities and contribute voluntarily?
In the first few years when we lived in New Zealand, we led relatively quiet lives. I had also more time then. I started exploring and volunteering in the community and found the experience positive and enjoyable. Among the small circle of friends, we shared our abilities, like making snacks, singing, and teaching simple English. The community circle then expanded, and so were opportunities. The satisfaction of learning and contribution was immense, and life is never dull.
How important has been the Asian Council on Reducing Crime?
This charitable trust enabled us to learn about crime prevention and reach out to educate our communities on protecting ourselves and ours. We organised expos and wrote columns in Chinese newspapers, but times have changed, and we now focus on foot patrols and community education by delivering talks and workshops. We organised a couple of talks with the police and Auckland Transport after an assault on a young man on a bus. Recently we also spoke with some senior groups on scams. We work very closely with the police, Māori wardens, and the crime watch patrol. We do not have a large team, but we believe any contribution is worthwhile.
Did you enjoy your role on Macleans College’s board of governors?
It was about two decades ago when I first became a board member at Macleans. Being the only Chinese there, it was scary for the first term. Then interesting. I joined the board as a parent. I wanted to learn more about how the school was being run. I stayed on for a couple of terms to make sure there was an Asian voice. I treasure the times there and appreciate the immense support I got from everybody at Macleans. One thing I was proud of was initiating meetings between Chinese parents and the principal. Back then, a lot of Chinese parents found it difficult to communicate with the school. Understanding the school system through such meetings brought a sense of belonging and responsibility towards their children’s education. Nowadays such meetings are not held as frequently, as most parents are able to communicate with the school readily.
What other roles of community service have you undertaken?
I’ve done some little things around the church, medical clinics and with some community groups. I helped set up the Inclusionz Charitable Trust, formed with the basic belief that people should be comfortable in their own skins. We’d like to see more acceptance towards others, particularly those from different cultures. Raising the awareness and understanding of different cultures in the community became the key projects in recent years. We organised trips for groups to visit temples, mosques and other places of historical or cultural interest, such as the Polish Museum in Howick. Many people don’t even know it exists. We organised cultural workshops in primary schools, introducing the kids to different experiences like the making of Vietnamese rice paper rolls, halal meals, Chinese opera, cultural dresses and so on. We do this with schools who otherwise may not have the resources to do that themselves, and we have the support of the Howick Local Board as well as many volunteers who came to showcase some of their arts and crafts.
How did you feel when receiving your Queen’s Service Medal for services to immigrant communities in 2021?
I was humbled. There are so many people contributing to the well-being of the communities, and I just happened to be noticed. Of course that gave me great joy, pride and more importantly it was affirmation of our work. As a migrant myself, I’ve come across countless numbers of people who were very supportive when I was lost or puzzled or unsure. Volunteering is a type of paying back to society, an acknowledgement of humanity and a source of fulfilment. The honour serves as a reminder that being able to give is a blessing.
In your downtime, where are some of your favourite places in east Auckland to visit and activities to do?
I’m a foodie, particularly with Chinese yum cha. I know of almost all yum cha places in east Auckland. I’ve delivered talks on related topics and am happy to share my knowledge about this Cantonese culture. Look me up if you want to organise a different gathering with your family and friends!
If there was one thing you’d like to see change in New Zealand society, what would it be?
The drinking and drug culture. Drinking and drugs are getting out of control in our society. A lot of crimes are fuelled by drugs and alcohol. I will leave this to the experts to share their views!
