Asia Dynamic - Two Sisters

Future National Party MP Melissa Lee presents this documentary about two Chinese Kiwi sisters reminiscing about their childhood. Wailin Elliott and sister Eva Ng return to their old family home in Newmarket, Auckland, and share memories about their strict father, working in his fruit shop, and the pain of losing their mother. The pair recall the racism they encountered — "which shamed us dreadfully" — and open a chest of Western and Chinese clothing belonging to their mum. The documentary was made for series Asia Dynamic, which later became Asia Downunder.

We had a lot of name calling when we were at school, which shamed us dreadfully. But we accepted that, well, we never talked about it somehow to each other. We always kept it deep within ourselves.

– Wailin Elliott, on encountering racism in Auckland while growing up in the 1950s

Key Cast & Crew

Melissa Lee

Presenter

Alison Carter

Director, Research

Robin Kingsley-Smith

Producer

Paul Richards

Camera Operator

Suzanne Taylor

Editor

Craig Perry

Sound Recordist