Christchurch Museum Celebrates Rewi Alley and NZ-China Ties

A new museum dedicated to Rewi Alley has opened in Christchurch, aiming to strengthen the relationship between New Zealand and China. The Rewi Alley Memorial Museum was inaugurated on November 25, 2023, with dignitaries including China’s top legislator, Zhao Leji, attending the ceremony. The museum is envisioned as a space to enhance understanding of Alley’s significant contributions to bilateral relations and his lasting legacy.

Born in Springfield, Canterbury in 1897, Alley first traveled to China in 1927 and spent the next 60 years of his life there. He passed away in Beijing in 1987. Throughout his life, Alley was a committed political activist, writer, and educator, known for his efforts to support the Chinese people during challenging times, particularly during the Second Sino-Japanese War. He played a crucial role in grassroots industrial and economic development, significantly impacting China’s recovery and progress.

During the opening ceremony, Zhao highlighted Alley’s importance, stating, “Rewi Alley nailed the foundation for China-New Zealand friendship, a true pioneer.” He praised Alley’s initiatives, including the Chinese Industrial Co-operatives movement, which helped bolster the economy during wartime, and the establishment of Beili schools, which trained technical professionals. Zhao emphasized that Alley’s philosophy, encapsulated in the “Gung Ho” spirit—meaning to work together and diligently—continues to influence vocational education in China today.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, also attended the event and expressed hope that the museum would foster a deeper appreciation for Alley’s contributions. “Rewi Alley devoted his life to fostering understanding, lifting people out of hardship, and building bridges between our two nations,” Luxon remarked. He noted that Alley’s story is a reminder that genuine friendship is built on commitment, respect, and empathy—values that remain essential today.

Dave Adamson, a member of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, expressed optimism that the museum would raise awareness of Alley’s legacy. He acknowledged that some people in the West may have a limited view of Alley due to his support for the communist government in China, but emphasized the importance of understanding the broader context of his contributions.

At the ceremony, Alley’s foster son, renowned Chinese artist Deng Bangzhen, shared his personal experiences with Alley. Deng, now 84, recalled how Alley cared for him and his siblings after their parents’ deaths. “He would help us with showering, changing into clean clothes, and haircuts,” Deng said. “He encouraged me to draw when he discovered my talent.”

Deng expressed happiness about the museum’s opening, stating that it fulfills a long-held wish. He and his wife, Lu Bo, still possess many of Alley’s belongings and hope they will find a suitable home in the museum. “Because he served as a bridge between the Chinese and New Zealand friendship, we hope people from both countries would get to know him and help promote his spirit of enhancing friendship between countries,” Deng added.

The Rewi Alley Memorial Museum is expected to open to the public in the coming days. Memorial sites dedicated to Alley also exist in Springfield, his birthplace, and in Amberley, where he spent his childhood.

Zhao’s visit to New Zealand included meetings with Prime Minister Luxon and New Zealand counterpart Gerry Brownlee. He is set to conclude his brief visit to Australasia on November 25, following his trip to Australia. The opening of this museum is seen as a significant step in enhancing cultural ties and promoting mutual understanding between New Zealand and China, celebrating the enduring legacy of Rewi Alley.