RYAN ANDERSON/STUFF
In 1902 the SS Ventnor sank, carrying the bones of 499 Chinese miners with it. Their descendants tell the story of finally recognising the Chinese miners.
Nearly 500 Chinese miners whose bodies were lost more than 100 years ago will be recognised for the first time thanks to a unique relationship between Chinese and Māori. Denise Piper and Lucy Xia report. An event on April 10 will read out the names of 499 Chinese gold miners, whose remains were being returned to their homeland aboard the SS Ventnor when the ship sank in 1902 near Hokianga Harbour. The event will be in the tradition of Ching Ming (清明節), also known as tomb-sweeping day, a traditional Chinese festival when people honour their ancestors.