Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust

The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust provides funding to help strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders and their communities in New Zealand in recognition of the poll tax payers. The Trust aims to preserve Chinese New Zealand history and promote awareness of the contributions of early Chinese settlers while providing tangible support for Chinese New Zealand history, language and culture, particularly that of the early settler Chinese community. The Trust funds requests for proposals that support its aims and have support from the Chinese poll tax descendant community. The Trust provides funding to both individuals and not-for-profit organisations, including branches of not-for-profit organisations with a national body. Applicants are not required to be Chinese or descendants of early settlers, and the Trustees encourage both members of the Chinese poll tax descendant community and members of the wider community to seek funding for suitable projects. The Trust promotes funding for learning and use of the Cantonese language, awareness and understanding of the history of Chinese communities in New Zealand, recording and preserving of Chinese New Zealand history, greater public understanding of ethnic diversity with emphasis on Chinese New Zealanders' contributions, and Chinese arts and culture including Chinese New Zealand creative and cultural expression.