The store Choie Sew Hoy established in Dunedin’s Stafford Street was a huge success, while his revolutionary gold-dredging technology improved the fortunes of the gold-mining industry in Otago and Southland. He backed dredging, quartz crushing and hydraulic sluicing ventures in the goldfields of Ophir, Macetown, Skippers, Nokomai and the Shotover. Sharp as a razor, Sew Hoy was a visionary, able to spot opportunities no one else could, whether sending vast amounts of unwanted scrap metal from New Zealand back to China, or joining famous Taranaki businessman Chew Chong’s fungus export trade.
Sew Hoy was also a local character, always elegantly dressed and with legendary success in horse racing. His self-assurance and charm gained him entry to the Chamber of Commerce, the Jockey Club, the Masons and even the Caledonian Society. A benefactor to many social causes, he supported hospitals and benevolent associations to help his fellow Chinese immigrants. When the success of the Chinese in New Zealand aroused hostility, he fought the prevalent racism and unfair government legislation of the day. A man of two worlds, Choie Sew Hoy was a success in both.
Richly illustrated and deeply researched, Merchant, Miner, Mandarin is both the compelling biography of one of the most distinguished figures of New Zealand business and an intriguing account of late 19th-century society, industry and race relations.
Jenny Sew Hoy Agnew, born in Dunedin, was raised speaking Cantonese; she didn’t learn English until she started school. Graduating from the University of Otago with a languages degree, she became a high school teacher. A great-great-granddaughter of Choie Sew Hoy, and fifth generation New Zealander, Jenny has traced the history of her Cantonese ancestors from Guangdong, China, to Melbourne, Australia, to Central Otago, New Zealand.
Trevor Agnew has a lifelong passion for New Zealand history. As an award-winning writer and teacher, he has had a wide range of articles and reviews published in New Zealand and Australia. He has combined his interests and skills to help honour a remarkable man in this new history.
Listen to Jenny and Trevor being interviewed by Kathryn Ryan on Nine To Noon.
