"The history of the New Zealand Chinese began with Cantonese cabin steward Appo Hocton's arrival in Nelson in 1842. The Chinese comprise about 3.7% of today's New Zealand population: over 170,000 people. These include recent migrants primarily originating from China, but also many other parts of the world, with about one quarter being local-born. Using more than 100 outstanding photographs sought throughout New Zealand, this book presents a visual introduction to the history of the Chinese in New Zealand over the past 175 years. The photographic record is far from complete, but from the earliest times it depicts a people participating in the building of New Zealand, a young nation, through hard physical labour, self-sacrifice, determination and innovation. We wish readers to appreciate the profound impact of the unique way that photographers can tell and retell our past"--Abstract (page 22).