8 December 2014 Thank you everyone who's shown their concern over the taking of the SS Ventnor artefacts. We greatly appreciate your support and encouragement. Since the media story broke two weeks ago with footage of the wreck and the artefacts taken, we have been active in efforts to ensure the safety of the objects taken. You will remember that there were suggestions of sending them over to China. As well as issuing a media statement about our concerns, we have been seeking legal advice and actively lobbying various government departments. We have also sought legal advice which indicates that the artefacts come under the "Protected Objects Act". This means that they cannot be taken out of New Zealand without the permission of the Government (through the Ministry of Culture and Heritage). I would like to confirm that the project is now formally under NZCA governance, and I am working to set up a subcommittee. Our current group comprises Wong Liu Shueng (Historic Ventnor Project Group), Virginia Chong (NZCA immediate past president), Peter Sew Hoy (nominated Sew Hoy family representative), Charlie Ding and Lynette Shum (Poon Fah Association), Gordon Wu (Tung Jung Association) and Kirsten Wong (Historic Ventnor Project Group). Recently, we made contact with the Minister of Culture and Heritage, Hon Maggie Barry, and hope to be able to update you with more news next week. The goal we are working towards is to have the artefacts securely in New Zealand public ownership." And will be meeting the Ministry for Culture & Heritage that afternoon. Regards Gerald Wong 黄志湖 National President New Zealand Chinese Association |
The Lost Voyage of 499 “The Lost Voyage of 499” documentary was broadcast on Maori Television, 17 November 2014, 2 days before the announcement of the discovery of the wreckage of the Ventnor. Headlines regarding discovery of the Ventnor Otago Daily Times Announcement of the documentary By Hamish McNeilly on Fri, 14 Nov 2014 Wed, 19 Nov 2014 Announcement of wreck find By Hamish McNeilly on Thu, 20 Nov 2014 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 New Zealand Herald 12:39 PM Wednesday Nov 19, 2014 CCTV.com 11-20-2014 19:40 BJT 3 News (New Zealand) By Jane Luscombe and Taylor Sincock Wednesday 19 Nov 2014 12:01 p.m. Stuff Nick Perry Last updated 15:59, November 26 2014 Scoop Saturday, 22 November 2014, 10:59 am Press Release: NZCA 22 November 2014 International Business Times By Mary-Ann Russon November 26, 2014 16:57 GMT Daily Mail (Australia) By Louise Cheer PUBLISHED: 18:03 GMT, 25 November 2014 | UPDATED: 15:16 GMT, 26 November 2014 Scuttlefish by Owen James Burke PUBLISHED: December 11, 2014 |