Virus kills NZ citizen in Hong Kong

By NATASHA HARRIS

A New Zealand citizen has died from the Sars virus after being ill for two months in Hong Kong.

Malaysian-born missionary Chee Nan Pin lived in the Amoy Garden Housing Estate, where his next-door neighbour also caught the deadly virus. Hundreds of residents were taken to hospital after an outbreak at the complex.

Mr Chee, who was in his 50s, studied at Auckland University during the 1970s and has lived in New Zealand on and off since.

His wife, Eleanor, is from Otorohanga and he has two children, Elizabeth, 19, and Matthew, 15.

Mrs Chee and Matthew were also hospitalised for the virus on March 30 but were discharged last week.

Mr Chee had been working in the Hong Kong region for 20 years with the Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ, and was planning to open a training centre.

The organisation's New Zealand director, Maurice Charmon, described Mr Chee as a quiet, fun guy who was a real family man.

"He was totally committed and his family were extra special to him. He was A1 in that area."

He was last in New Zealand a year ago for a few months finishing his doctorate. Mr Charmon said a memorial service in Auckland was planned but no date had been set as the family had not yet held their own family service or cremated Mr Chee's body.

He said no other New Zealanders were working for the mission in Hong Kong.