Pride of NZ Awards: Hai Tong Too

Vote for your favourite finalist now at www.prideofnzawards.co.nz Napier man Hai Tong Too knows how daunting it is settling into a new country, let alone a new town. So for more than 40 years, Mr Too has been a key advocate for minority groups in the Hawke’s Bay, namely the Chinese community. ‘‘Most of them, when they arrive, they’re all pretty reserved and a lot of New Zealanders don’t know they exist. ‘‘I’m there to show [new migrants] how to integrate into society and to showcase their cultures through performances and things like that, so people can see them in the community.’’ Mr Too is the immediate past president of the Multicultural Association Hawke’s Bay. From 1997 to 2009, he served as the Hawke’s Bay Chinese Association president and is also a founding member of the Ethnic Association in the area. He has also worked on the NZ Chinese Association, as the vice-president, and was an ethnic adviser for the local council.