The first few Chinese arrivals to Aotearoa came between 1842 and 1865. These were independent individuals looking for new opportunities. They set up businesses in transportation (cartage), farming and hospitality, worked as carvers and gilders, or worked in  these industries for other people. From 1866, large numbers of Chinese goldminers began arriving in Otago. The first arrivals did very well, although some quickly realised that the goldmining life was not for them. They set up market gardens, or took jobs as cooks or shepherds. Other realised that the real money was not in gold, but in businesses supplying the miners, and in imports and exports. A new elite of Chinese merchants was born.