Cash for Chinese groups

The Internal Affairs Department is now accepting applications for funding by the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.

Open to members of the Chinese community, the scheme aims to create a greater understanding of, and strengthen, the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders.

The trust was established in 2004 in recognition of the hardship caused by the poll tax and other discriminatory legislation.

It is also a gesture of goodwill to poll tax payers, their descend-ants and future generations.

In the last funding round the trust granted $95,000 in total to a variety of projects and activities across the country.

The Dunedin Chinese Language and Cultural Trust was granted $3000 to continue teaching Cantonese dance, language and culture.

Another $5000 was granted to Mu Yu Ming and Keith Lyons to paint the portraits of families descended from poll tax payers.

The trust also supported the recent Chinese New Year celebrations in Auckland, Wellington and Manawatu through grants to the Auckland Chinese Community Centre, Asian Events Trust and the Manawatu Chinese Community Trust of $6000, $6000 and $2000, respectively.

It holds two funding rounds each year, with applications for the current round closing on March 31. Successful grants will be announced in June.

For more information and to obtain an application form

visit the department website at www.dia.govt.nz or call 0800-824-824.

- © Fairfax NZ News