Peter Chin

Early life and career

Peter Chin is a descendant of the earliest Chinese immigrants to New Zealand, and his family owned a fish and chips take-away establishment in Dunedin.

In the 1950s Chin was a student at Otago Boys' High School and then the University of Otago, graduating with an LLB in 1965. He started working as a lawyer in Dunedin in 1968 and became a founding partner at the Otago law firm Webb Farry. He also took up a position in the Otago District Law Society.

Mayoral career

Chin was first elected in 1995 as a councillor in the Dunedin City Council, representing the Hills Ward. He served three terms before being elected as Mayor during the 2004 Dunedin mayoral election, replacing Sukhi Turner who was retiring as mayor. He was re-elected during the 2007 Dunedin mayoral election with an absolute majority.

As Mayor, Chin supported the Forsyth Barr Stadium, which drew controversy over its cost and source of funding. In the course of examining funding options he sent a confidential letter to the Government asking for money without full Council approval, and was on a committee of three that later censured Councillor Teresa Stevenson for leaking the letter to the Otago Daily Times.

Post-mayoral career

During the 2010 Dunedin mayoral election, Peter Chin was defeated by Greater Dunedin candidate and Dunedin City Council councillor Dave Cull. He was one of the twelve members of the Constitutional Advisory Panel, which sought public input on a written constitution for New Zealand, since 2011.

Community involvement

In addition to his professional and mayoral career, Chin served as the chair of the Otago Community Trust, the Chinese Garden Trust, the Otago District Law Society and head of the Gambling Commission, the government-appointed panel that regulates casinos. In the 2003 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to local-body and community affairs.

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. The Garden was constructed in an authentic manner, using almost a thousand tonnes of rocks imported from Lake Tai, China.

He also served the chair of the national Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust, which was set up with government funding in 2004.

Personal life

Chin has been married to Noleen since 1964 with whom he had 4 children. he lives in Roslyn and is a prominent opera singer. Chin suffered a heart attack on New Year's eve, 2014 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.

References

References

1. (19 September 2017). "Visit from Old Boy Peter Chin". Hail to.
2. Ip, Manying. (15 November 2012). "Peter Chin".
3. (Autumn 2019). "Leaders, 150 Alumni heroes". University of Otago Magazine.
4. (13 February 2017). "Hidden Talent: Former Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin". [[Radio New Zealand]].
5. (1 July 2016). "Team player in law". [[Otago Daily Times]].
6. Gregor, Kelly. (24 August 2009). "Court of Appeal dismisses allegations against Dunedin City Council". [[National Business Review]].
7. (20 April 2009). "Dunedin stadium plans advance". [[Newshub.
8. Price, Mark. (29 January 2009). "Questions over secret stadium letter". [[Otago Daily Times]].
9. Schofield, Edith. (6 May 2009). "Stevenson to apologise for leaking information". [[Otago Daily Times]].
10. (9 October 2010). "Cull wins Dunedin mayoralty". [[Otago Daily Times]].
11. "The Panel". Constitutional Advisory Panel.
12. (4 August 2011). "Constitutional Advisory Panel named". New Zealand Government.
13. (31 December 2002). "New Year honours list 2003". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
14. (31 May 2008). "$200,000 boost for Chinese garden". [[Otago Daily Times]].
15. (28 May 2008). "Glimpse at Chinese garden". [[Otago Daily Times]].
16. Beattie, J. (ed.) (2008). ''Lan Yuan: The garden of enlightenment.'' Dunedin: Dunedin Chinese Garden Trust. p.64
17. (2014). "Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust". Department of Internal Affairs.
18. "Candidate profiles for Mayor and Council wards". Dunedin City Council.
19. "Heart attack survivor reflects on life - Super Seniors".
20. (10 October 2013). "Illustrious Energy screens at the Film Archive".