Can you imagine Haining Street over a century ago? The Joe Kum Yung Memorial Plaque stands here as a somber reminder. It marks a dark chapter in Wellington’s history. This plaque commemorates Joe Kum Yung. He was the victim of a racist murder in 1905. Joe Kum Yung’s story is a poignant one.
Originally from Guangdong province in China. Joe Kum Yung arrived in New Zealand after spending years mining in Australia. An accident left him unable to work. Instead of returning to China, he moved to Wellington’s Haining Street. It was the heart of the capital’s Chinese community.
On September 24, 1905, tragedy struck. Joe Kum Yung was walking when Lionel Terry shot him from behind. Terry was a white supremacist. He wanted to rid New Zealand of non-European immigrants. Joe Kum Yung died soon after. Terry surrendered and was later found guilty. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment due to insanity. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Terry spent his life in mental hospitals.
The murder highlighted the hatred towards New Zealand’s small Chinese community. Haining Street was considered Wellington’s Chinatown. European settlers saw it as a ghetto. Chinese immigrants struggled to make a living. They faced racism and prejudice. The community rallied against opium. They even petitioned Parliament to restrict it.
In 2005, the Wellington Chinese community unveiled this Joe Kum Yung Memorial Plaque. It marked the centennial of his death. The ceremony included traditional incense lighting. It honored his spirit.
Auckland-based singer Sabreen Islam was touched by Joe’s story. She wrote a song about him. She wanted to raise awareness of racism in New Zealand. There was little information about Joe. But there was public sympathy for Terry. Sabreen wanted to humanize Joe.
Historian Lynette Shum helped produce the monument. Her uncle lived on Haining Street. She noted the hardships faced by Chinese in Wellington. They faced poll taxes and restrictions. Another Chinese man was killed in his shop in 1914. His murder remains unsolved. These events reflect the anti-Chinese sentiment at the time.
Koreen Liew-Young is Wong’s great-great-granddaughter. She was touched by Sabreen’s song. It shed light on a forgotten history. She felt grateful for her ancestors’ hardships. They paved the way for future generations.
Haining Street is now a mix of apartments and businesses. This plaque is the only reminder of its past. It’s a tribute to Joe Kum Yung. It also serves as a reminder of the racism faced by Chinese immigrants. May this Joe Kum Yung Memorial Plaque inspire us to remember. May it encourage us to fight prejudice. May it promote understanding. May it foster inclusivity.