Short chronology of Government policy and legislation toward Chinese

• Select committee of inquiry into Chinese immigration reports findings.
• 1872 Results of investigation into possibility of introducing Chinese labourers into New Zealand to work on Otago railways published.
• 1879 Memorandum on the immigration of Chinese into the colony. Governor George Grey's support for the anti-Chinese immigration movement.
• 1879 Chinese immigrants bill, 1879 no.12-1  Attempt to impose tonnage restriction of one Chinese to ten tons of ship's cargo, as well as a ten pound poll-tax. Bill rejected.
• 1880 Chinese immigrants prohibition bill, 1880 no.78-1 Attempt to impose poll-tax of ten pounds on Chinese immigrants. Bill rejected.
• 1881 Gaming and lotteries act, 1881 no.10 Chinese games known as fan-tan, pa-ka-poo, or any similar game, declared illegal.
• 1881 Chinese immigrants act, 1881 no.47 Imposes tonnage restriction of one Chinese to ten tons of ship's cargo, as well as a ten pounds poll-tax.
• 1882 Chinese mining exclusion bill, 1882 no.76-1  Chinese excluded from right to mine gold in New Zealand. Bill rejected.
• 1882 Aliens act amendment act, 1882 no.17  Fee for naturalisation reduced from one pound to two shillings and sixpence, except in the case of Chinese.
• 1888 Proclamation declaring Chinese and Far Eastern ports infected under Public health act 1876 utilised as means to prevent ships carrying Chinese passengers refused entry to Australia from entering New Zealand.
• 1888 Chinese immigrants act amendment act, 1888 no.34 Tonnage restriction for Chinese immigrants raised from one to ten to one to 100.  Not to apply to naturalised Chinese.
• 1889 Chinese immigrants act amendment act continuance act, 1889 no.18  Chinese immigrants act amendment act, 1888 to remain in force until repealed.
• 1892 Aliens act amendment act, 1892 no.19  Fee for naturalisation abolished, except in the case of Chinese.
• 1894 Undesirable immigrants exclusion bill, 1894 no.158-1  Attempt to virtually prohibit Asian immigration, impose poll-tax of 50.00 pounds.  Bill rejected.
  1895 Asiatic and other immigration restriction bill, 1895 no.67-1  attempt to raise tonnage restriction to 1 to 200, and poll-tax to 100.00 pounds.  Bill rejected.
• 1896 Asiatic restriction bill, 1896 no.2-1  Virtually identical to 1895 no.67-1.  Bill rejected.
• 1896 Chinese immigrants act amendment act, 1896 no.19   Tonnage restriction raised to 1 to 200, poll-tax raised to 100.00 pounds.
• 1896 Asiatic restriction act, 1896 no.64  Tonnage 1 to 200, poll-tax of 100.00 pounds, Chinese naturalisation prohibited.  Did not receive Royal Assent.
• 1897 Alien immigration restriction bill, 1897 no.92-1  Attempt to prohibit naturalisation of Chinese.  Bill rejected.
• 1898 Immigration restriction bill, 1898 no.26-2  Reading test for non-British immigrants.  Chinese not effected.  Bill rejected.
• 1898 Shearer's accommodation act, 1898 no.15  Chinese shearers to be housed separately from Europeans.
• 1898 Old-age pensions act, 1898 no.14  Chinese not entitled to old-age pension.
• 1899 Immigration restriction act, 1899 no.33  1898 no.26-2 passed with minor changes.
• 1900 Thumbprints required of Chinese wishing to travel overseas.  Returning Chinese to deposit poll-tax until identification established.
• 1901 Chinese immigrants act amendment act, 1901 no.3  Rationalises provisions relating to Chinese crews of ships visiting New Zealand.
• 1901 Opium prohibition act, 1901 no.26  No search warrant required to search Chinese homes.
• 1904 Fingerprints to be taken and placed on the reverse of the Poll-tax certificate, on the Poll-tax butt, on the certificate given to intending emigrant, and on duplicate certificate held by Customs office.
• 1904 Gaming and lotteries act amendment bill, 1904 no.57-1  Greater powers to persecute Chinese gambling.  Bill rejected.
• 1904 Shops and offices act 1904 no.52  Closing hours of shops to be decided only by "British" New Zealanders.
• 1906 Chinese immigrants act, 1881 modified so that Chinese exhibitors at the New Zealand International Exhibition, 1906 allowed to enter without being subjected to provisions of that Act.
• 1907 Factories act amendment act 1907 attempts to prevent Chinese from opening laundries.  Relevant section deleted by the Governor-General.
• 1907 Chinese immigrants amendment act, 1907 no.79  Imposes reading test of 100 words in English.
• 1908 4 February. Cessation of naturalisation for Chinese.
• 1908 Immigration restriction act, 1908 no.78  Consolidates all previous immigration legislation.
• 1908 Juries act, 1908 no.90  No-one who is not a natural-born or a naturalised subject of His Majesty "is qualified to serve on any jury or any Court or on any occasion."
• 1908 Legislative act, 1908 no.101  No-one who is not natural-born or naturalised subject of His Majesty able to stand as member of Legislative Council, or vote at national elections.
• 1908 Opium act 1908 no.137  No search warrant for Chinese homes provision continued.
• 1908 Shipping and seaman’s act, 1908 no.178 "A ship is not deemed to be a British ship, and shall not be registered in New Zealand, unless wholly owned by natural-born or naturalised British subjects."
• 1908 Inspection of machinery act, 1908 no.224  Engine drivers and operators must be British New Zealanders.
• 1908 Immigration restriction act amendment act, 1908 no.230  Reading test not to apply to returning Chinese if thumbprints taken.
• 1908 Regulations standardise thumb-printing system and requirement for returning Chinese to deposit poll-tax.
• 1909 Defence act, 1909 no.28 "Alien" Chinese not able to join New Zealand armed forces.
• 1910 Immigration restriction amendment act, 1910 no.16  Certain Chinese allowed to visit New Zealand, Chinese not paying poll-tax liable to deportation.
• 1910 Factories amendment act, 1910 no.67  Restricts hours of work in Chinese laundries.
• 1911 Regulations exempt Chinese businessmen, tourists and students on temporary visit from paying poll-tax.
• 1912 Public service act, 1912 no.23  "Except with the permission of the Governor-General, no person shall be admitted to the Public Service unless he is a natural-born or naturalised subject of His Majesty."
• 1916 Military service act, 1916 no.8  Local-born Chinese liable for conscription.
• 1917 Registration of aliens act, 1917 no.12  Every alien in New Zealand must register within 28 days of passing of Act.
• 1917 War legislation act, 1917 no.21  Aliens not allowed to be elected to any local authority, but allowed to vote at such local authority.
   
  1920 Christchurch tramway district act, 1920 no.15 (local and personal).  No-one allowed to elect members of Tramway Board unless he is a "British subject either by birth or by naturalisation in New Zealand."
• 1920 Immigration restriction amendment act, 1920 no.23  Reading test abolished.  Entry to New Zealand for non-British by permit only.
• 1920 Thumb-printing system abolished, certificates of registration and temporary forms set out.
• 1921 Quota of one hundred permits a year for Chinese. Includes 25 for women.
• 1921 Samoa act, 1921 no.16  Marriages between Chinese and Samoan prohibited.
• 1921 Auckland electric-power board act, 1921-22 no.17  "Alien" Chinese not able to be elected to Board.
• 1923 British nationality and status of aliens (in New Zealand) act, 1923 no.46  Women marrying "alien" Chinese loses her New Zealand citizenship.
• 1924 Regulations add condition that Chinese on temporary permit not to engage in manual labour.
• 1925 Women excluded from quota of permits.
• 1926 Cessation of granting permanent residence permits to Chinese.
• 1926 Family allowances act, 1926 no.30  Chinese, whether naturalised or not, or whether a British subject or not, not entitled to family allowance.
• 1926 Local elections and polls act, 1926 no.42  Aliens not allowed to hold local body office.
• 1926 Pension act, 1926 no.56  Chinese whether naturalised or not, and whether British subjects or not, not entitled to Old-age pension.
• 1927 Details of payment of poll-tax to be written on application for certificate of registration.
• 1927 People on temporary permit may require guarantee from New Zealand resident to reimburse government if permit holder is deported.
• 1927 Dangerous drugs act, 1927 no.18  Power to search Chinese without search warrant continued.
• 1927 Electoral act, 1927 no.44  Only people being a "British subject, either by birth or by naturalisation in New Zealand, is entitled...to be registered as an elector."
• 1927 Shops and offices amendment act, 1927 no.53  Further restrictions on Chinese fruitshops.
• 1928 Earliest known date of granting temporary permits to Chinese "business managers."
• 1928 30 April. Last Chinese males granted permanent residence arrive in New Zealand.
• 1929 Select committee on Chinese employment of Maori women on market gardens.
• 1930 Chinese students allowed to come for 6 years.
• 1933 Air Navigation Regulations. Non local-born, non-naturalised Chinese unable to own aircraft.
  
  1933 Reserve bank of New Zealand act, 1933 no.11  Only British subjects allowed to be on Board.
• 1933 Municipal corporations act, 1933 no.30  Election to and ability to vote for Municipal or Borough Councils only entitled to those being "a British subject either by birth or by naturalisation having effect in New Zealand."
• 1934 September. Poll-tax payments waived.
• 1935 British nationality and status of aliens (in New Zealand) amendment act, 1934-35 no.38  Wife of alien loses her New Zealand citizenship, but can retain it, after declaration, but loses it if she leaves New Zealand.
• 1935 Ten permits a year for wives of local born Chinese New Zealanders.
• 1935 Probable year of quota of five permits a year for wives of naturalised Chinese.
• 1936 Pensions amendment act, 1936 no.26  Chinese entitled to old-age pension.
• 1938 Social security act, 1938 no.7  Chinese entitled to all social security benefits.
• 1939 June: permits to bring "refugee" women and children to New Zealand for two years. 200 pound deposit, 500 pound bond. 249 wives and 244 children.
• 1939 Applicants for certificates of registration must be 15 years of age or over.  Designed to prevent children born of refugee women from applying for re-entry at later date.
• 1939 September. Alien registration reintroduced.
• 1939 December. "Alien" Chinese allowed to enlist in New Zealand's forces.
• 1940 Introduction of conscription, local-born Chinese liable.
• 1940 Educational Bursaries Regulations.  Non local-born, non-naturalised Chinese not eligible for bursaries.
• 1940 "Refugee" permit concession withdrawn due to complaints about fruiterers.
• 1942 Enrolment in Emergency Reserve Corps compulsory for all Chinese in New Zealand.
• 1942 "Alien" Chinese unable to buy or lease land for duration of war.
• 1944 Finance act (no.3), 1944 no.31  Abolition of poll-tax and tonnage restrictions.
• 1946 British nationality and status of aliens (in New Zealand) act, 1946 no.20  Woman marrying "alien" Chinese does not lose her New Zealand citizenship.
• 1947 July. Permanent residence granted to five types of Chinese immigrants.
• 1947 Cessation of granting temporary permits to Chinese.
• 1947 Temporary permits to Chinese business managers ceased.
• 1948 March. Allowance for 50 Chinese of 20 years residence to bring wives and minor children.
• 1948 Condition re above allowance that Chinese must have applied for and be suitable for naturalisation dropped.
• 1948 October.  Cabinet decides to reintroduce naturalisation for Chinese.  Not proceeded with due to objections of Chinese Consul-General.
• 1948 Aliens act, 1948 no.28  All aliens in New Zealand to register and carry such registration with them at all times.  Formalises 1939 regulations.
• 1949 Air Navigation Regulations.  Non local-born, non-naturalised Chinese unable to work as aircraft engineer or flight engineer.
• 1949 Chinese market gardeners request 250 Chinese men be allowed to work on market gardens. Refused.
• 1949 Cessation of granting temporary permits to Chinese teachers.
• 1949 1948 allowance re wives extended to another 50.
• 1949 Military training act, 1949 no.23  Compulsory military introduced.  Chinese New Zealanders liable.  Repealed 1973.
• 1950 No permits issued.
  
  1951 March. Naturalisation for Chinese resumed with four conditions.
• 1951 March. Policy for Chinese approved by Cabinet.  Reunite families. Stop further immigration of Chinese. Break tie with China. Re-entry permits to Chinese reduced from four years to 18 months. Three months extension in exceptional circumstances. No permits valid post 21 months.  No Temporary permits to Chinese from China.  No permanent residence permits to Chinese except under family reunion policy.
  
  1951 April. Certificates of Registration for re-entry for Chinese reduced to 18 months. "Chinese" includes Chinese born in New Zealand. No extensions or exceptions. Chinese overseas to be warned extensions to their Certs will not be granted.
• 1952 31 December quota system abolished, reintroduction of individual application.
• 1953 Policy for Chinese immigration reiterates family reunion as only qualification.
• 1954 Chinese permanent resident men granted same right to bring wives to New Zealand as local-born, on condition they are naturalised and marry in Hong Kong.
• 1954 Chinese New Zealand women unable to bring fiancees to New Zealand.
• 1956 One year concession allows remaining son or daughter to join family in New Zealand to complete family unit.
• 1961 Annual quota of six entry permits for "British" Chinese Singaporeans or Malayans.
• 1962 40 Chinese orphans from Hong Kong allowed into New Zealand as adopted children of white New Zealanders.
• 1963 Policy for Chinese immigration adds entry on compassionate grounds.
• 1964 Immigration act, 1964 no.43  British immigrants require permit to enter New Zealand.  Hailed as new, non-discriminatory policy but little change for Chinese.  Non family reunion policy Chinese allowed to apply for permanent residence. Very few applications received.
• 1965 Narcotics act, 1965 no.45  Repeals power to enter Chinese homes without search warrant granted by 1927 and 1901 acts.
• 1965 Policy for Chinese immigration allows Chinese to apply for entry on similar grounds as other immigrants.  Very few applications received or granted.
• 1965 Six families allowed as refugees from China
• 1966 Further six families allowed as refugees from China
• 1967 New Zealand accepts 12 families of Chinese refugees from Indonesia
• 1969 Six families allowed as refugees from China
• 1970 Six families allowed as refugees from China
• 1970 42 Chinese refugees from Indonesia arrived
• 1971 Some Asian professionals allowed.
• 1971 Anomaly of Chinese New Zealanders' temporary permit time period to Australia highlighted by New Zealand Chinese Association.  Amended 1972
• 1974 Review of immigration policy.  Introduction of Occupational Priority List.
• 1974 50 single Chinese men allowed as one-off concession to work on market gardens.
• 1975 Beginning of acceptance of South-east Asian refugees.
• 1977 Citizenship act, 1977 no.61  Repeals necessity of aliens to register under 1948 no.28
• 1977 Gaming and lotteries act, 1977 no.84  Fan-tan and pakapoo no longer illegal.
• 1979 Education amendment act, 1979 no.148  Introduction of $1500 fee for private overseas students aimed to limit number of Chinese Malaysian students admitted to New Zealand.
• 1986 Review of immigration policy 1986, by Hon. Kerry Burke, Minister of Immigration.  Leads to Immigration Act, 1987, and Business Immigration Policy.
• 1986 February. Removal of Traditional Source Country criteria for immigration.  Opens door for greater Chinese immigration.
• 1986 August. Business Immigration Policy introduced.
• 1987 Immigration Act 1987 no.74  Entry for Chinese immigrants liberalised, Chinese on almost equal footing as other immigrants. Entry under four categories: general business investment, family, humanitarian.
• 1989 Amendment to overseas private students policy introduced to prevent Chinese using students visa as 'backdoor' entry to New Zealand.
• 1991 Business Investment Category introduced.  Points system replaces Occupational Priority List.  Changes allows great increase in Chinese immigration.
• 1992 Students from China must have university degree or be government-sponsored before being accepted.
• 1994 600 Chinese students granted permanent residence for humanitarian reasons.
• 1995 1 July.  Points system under General Category raised from 29 to 31 on a floating basis.
• 1995 October.  Policy changes introduced to tighten up on Asian migrants, English test requirement introduced.
• 1996 January.  Points required to obtain permanent entry changed from 31 to 25.
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1871