AUDIO
Interview with Harry Moon
- Date
- 02 Jan 2004
- By
- Moon, Harry, 1931-
- Reference
- OHInt-0747-05
- Description
Interview with Harry Moon, born in Jung Seng district of Guangzhou, China, in 1931. At the start of WWII, Harry, aged 8, was taken on a refugee's permit from Hong Kong to his father in New Zealand. Mother returned to China. Harry taught Confucist morals and philosophy.
Father and 3 uncles had market garden in Wairoa. Went to Wairoa school - learned English easily. Later moved to Gisborne and stayed with uncle. Then moved to Nelson and stayed with uncle Mr Ng King Ming who had a fruit shop. Harry went to Nelson College. He expected to return to China after the war but the Labour government granted refugees permanent residency so Harry stayed in NZ.
In 1948 (age 17) sent back by father to China for 2 years to experience Chinese culture. Advised to return to NZ when the Communists took control in 1949. Mother also came to NZ at that time.
1949-50 worked in Gisborne for his uncle Mr Ng Norman Yew Luen. Moved to Wellington and worked for Ken and Jessie Wong She in Molesworth Street and then for Jack Young in Cuba Street. Lent money by father to buy a fruit shop in Johnsonville in 1952. Bought another shop in Johnsonville Mall in 1961 and worked there until he retired in 1996.
Discusses new business practices and auction system - business 'snowballed.' Freedom to spend time with children and grandchildren. Feels he is a mixture of 50% Chinese and 50% New Zealander - adapts well to both worlds. Reflects on the importance and emphasis on Chinese language and culture in NZ in the early days. Discusses wider horizons for the young ones. Reflects on need to make next generation financially secure after coming from an impoverished country. Harry feels accepted in NZ, has not experienced racial prejudice. Reflects on changes in attitudes towards 'foreigners' over time - today more tolerance and understanding.
Interviewer(s) - Kitty Chang
Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014096
Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.20 Hours and minutes Duration.
Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5052.
2 Photocopies of a photograph of Harry Moon aged about 8, with his father in Wairoa. Colour photograph of Harry Moon at the time of the interview
Search dates: 1931 - 2004
- Additional description
Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.
Alternative form available: Listening copies available at OHLC-008028 and OHLC-009211
- Use/Reproduction
- Public use may require the written permission of the copyright holder Copyright: Copyright held by the Tung Jung Association of New Zealand
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted material
- Part of
- Tung Jung oral history project
- Format
- 1 C90 cassette(s), 1 printed abstract(s), 1 interview(s), 1.20 Hours and minutes Duration, Oral histories, Illustration: 2 Photocopies of a photograph of Harry Moon aged about 8, with his father in Wairoa, Illustration: Colour photograph of Harry Moon at the time of the interview
Click to request to view this item, access digital version (if available), and see more information.
Copyright
All Rights Reserved
Interview with Harry Moon, printed abstract
Date: 02 Jan 2004
From: Tung Jung oral history project
Reference: OHA-5052
Description: Interviewer(s) - Kitty Chang Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 photocopies of a photograph of Harry Moon aged about 8, with his father in Wairoa. Colour photograph of Harry Moon at the time of the interview
Interview with Harry Moon, tape one
Date: 02 Jan 2004
From: Tung Jung oral history project
Reference: OHC-014096
Description: Interviewer(s) - Kitty Chang Arrangement: Tape sequence - 1 of 1 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5052.