Peter Chin is a descendant of the earliest Chinese immigrants to New Zealand,[2] and his family owned a fish and chipstake-away establishment in Dunedin.[1]
As Mayor, Chin supported the Forsyth Barr Stadium, which drew controversy over its cost and source of funding.[6][7] In the course of examining funding options he sent a confidential letter to the Government asking for money without full Council approval,[8] and was on a committee of three that later censured Councillor Teresa Stevenson for leaking the letter to the Otago Daily Times.[9]
As chair of the Chinese Gardens Trust, Chin presided over the building of the Dunedin Chinese Garden, which receive NZ$3.75 million in public funding and NZ$1 million in ratepayer funding. The Chinese Garden opened in May 2008.[14][15] The Garden was constructed in an authentic manner, using almost a thousand tonnes of rocks imported from Lake Tai, China.[16]
He also served the chair of the national Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust, which was set up with government funding in 2004.[2][17] The trust aims to raise awareness of the early Chinese community in New Zealand and its history, language and culture.[17]
Personal life
Chin has been married to Noleen since 1964 with whom he had 4 children.[18] he lives in Roslyn and is a prominent operatic singer. Chin suffered a heart attack on New Year's eve, 2014[19] whilst on a plane from Dunedin to Wellington to visit his son. He had a triple bypass and later recovered.
Filmography
Chin played a minor part in the 1987 film Illustrious Energy, a historic drama based on the experiences of Chinese gold miners in Central Otago.[20]
^ abIp, Manying (15 November 2012). "Peter Chin". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
