Kiwis have their day in the city

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, famously filmed in New Zealand, opened the eyes of the world to the unbelievably picturesque and magnificent New Zealand countryside. But when it comes to the people themselves - who are, by the way, not hobbits, dwarves or even elves - there is little appreciation of their importance. To grasp the modesty of the typical Kiwi when it comes to their countrymen who live in this town, ask a question.

Ask a Kiwi about the New Zealand community in Shanghai, then prepare to smile. "The New Zealand community in Shanghai?" the New Zealander responds. "I saw him at the Little Huia restaurant last week."

The gag that there are few New Zealanders in the world and even fewer in Shanghai, does not give full credit to the importance of New Zealand or its relationship with China. New Zealand's presence in this country is significant. China and New Zealand are serious trading partners with two-way trade, according to the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, estimated to be worth $16 billion by 2015.

The two countries are tied by more than money, however, as many Chinese people travel to, live in or have settled in New Zealand while many New Zealanders are moving here for business and travel. Although their easygoing natures will probably mean that they will constantly joke about their insignificance, nothing could be further from the truth.

Joking about the role of Kiwis in Shanghai and in China also overlooks that New Zealand is making its culture known here, not just its investment money. People from New Zealand have brought with them their unique ways of doing things, like their national day which was celebrated in New Zealand yesterday but will be celebrated in Shanghai this weekend.

With New Zealand's Waitangi Day in focus this week there is an excuse for people to indulge in the country's many cultural offerings, food, parties and wine.

Remembering a treaty

Every year, Kiwis commemorate the signing of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi in different ways. The document, signed by British government representatives and chiefs of the indigenous Maori tribes, established New Zealand as part of the British Empire. Annual Waitangi Day events started taking place just after World War II, and, after much debate, Waitangi Day became New Zealand's national day in 1973.

Nowadays the holiday is a politically contentious topic. Although it is a time to remember their shared history, the official celebrations are enmeshed in controversy as Maori protestors interrupt the ceremonies involving the prime minister and political leaders.

The protestors claim that promises made in the original treaty are not being met by successive governments. For most New Zealanders, however, Waitangi Day is a day to go to the beach or have fun with family and friends.

This will be the first Waitangi Day that Kiwi Justin Birmingham, the Shanghai Brewery executive chef, will enjoy in Shanghai. He moved here with his family nine months ago for a life very different to the one he had in New Zealand.

"I wanted a new challenge with my cheffing so that's why I decided to head over here," Birmingham said.

There were other factors involving his family which have encouraged him to lay down roots in Shanghai. The move was good for his wife, a Shanghai designer who had more opportunities in fashion-crazy Shanghai than in small town New Zealand (New Zealand's population is 4.40 million while Shanghai's population stands at about 23 million). And the city is a great place for his son to learn Chinese.

In Shanghai Birmingham will bring his skills and New Zealand accent to a city where excellent food has become its byword.

A special opportunity

Far away from their homeland, some New Zealanders in the city have decided not to celebrate their country's national day (officially Waitangi Day was yesterday, February 6) and will work, play or study as normal. For others, like Jennifer Cuthbertson, Kea New Zealand regional manager for China, the day creates special opportunities.

"New Zealanders love to find other New Zealanders around the world, and there are particular things that we come together for. One is rugby and the other is something like Waitangi Day," Cuthbertson said. "This is very much a get-together and a celebration of New Zealand culture and identity."

Kea is a non-profit organization (located online at www.keanewzealand.com) that connects people around the world to New Zealanders. In so doing, it hopes to support the "international success of New Zealand and its people," increase trade, promote investment in New Zealand and attract skilled immigrants. Kea Shanghai is the organization's Shanghai branch, which organizes regular activities including this year's Waitangi Day celebrations.

Cuthbertson boasted that the Waitangi Day 2012 at NZ Central on Madang Road this coming Saturday will be the best in the way "Kiwis do best" with food and drinks.

She said that Kiwis are especially famous for their barbecues and she expects this event to live up to New Zealand's outstanding reputation for excellent food and hospitality.

As advertised, the celebration will be a "family-friendly event and one of the biggest in the year with plenty to entertain both kids and adults alike." Cuthbertson said that it will include a children's entertainment area and short addresses by the New Zealand Consul General in Shanghai Michael Swain and the Chair of Kea China, Sharon Fraser.