Masterton opportunity seized

Kitchen Kudos: Bontong Hong, pictured with son David, 7, says Kiwis and tourists enjoy his food and that business, and life, is good in Wairarapa. Photo / File

30th July 2011
By Jared Nicoll
Wairarapa Times-Age (New Zealand)

An Asian immigrant family has travelled more than 9000 kilometres to create a shining example of business success in Masterton.

Bontong Hong and his wife bought the Master Fried Chicken restaurant on Queen St and strong profits persuaded the family to open another in Featherston and, recently, one in Palmerston North.

The Hongs flew in to New Zealand from Cambodia about two years ago to start a new life and, after researching business opportunities in Auckland and Wellington, settled in Masterton.

Mr Hong said his family's success was proof New Zealand had more potential business opportunities compared to Cambodia if you were willing to work hard to find them.

Pie high hopes for national honours [... by Cambodian-Kiwi baker Tony Sea]

Pie-eyed: Tony Sea had never had a pie until he move to New Zealand, but he's a sucker for them now. (BRUCE MERCER/ Waikato Times)

Tony Sea had never tasted a pie before moving to Hamilton, but he's a sucker for them now.

21/07/2011
JONATHAN CARSON
Waikato Times

Relevant offersTony Sea had never even tasted a pie before he moved to Hamilton 13 years ago – they didn't exist in his native Cambodia.

But now the 35-year-old Goldstar bakery owner makes them for a living and is one of a record number of Waikato entrants in the 15th Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie awards.

Waikato has one of the highest number of entries this year, with 42 bakeries entering 470 pies – from a record-breaking total of 380 bakeries and 4400 pies nationwide.

Mr Sea is entered in nine of the 11 categories, and says his specialty is his apple, mixed berry and custard pie, which received a highly commended honour last year.

A day to celebrate cultural diversity [in New Zealand]

DELIGHTFUL: Sormalin Tuor, from Cambodia, performs at the Race Unity day at Victory Square on Sunday. (EVAN BARNES/Nelson Mail)

23/03/2009
Nelson Mail (New Zealand)

Thousands made their way to Nelson's Victory Square yesterday to celebrate the region's diverse cultural background in all its forms.

Nelson Multi Ethnic Council coordinator Evey McAuliffe said it was the biggest turnout in the event's 11-year history.

"It was a fabulous day, Nelson really turned it on."

People were treated to 18 cultural performances from places as diverse as Ukraine and Cambodia to Ireland and Japan, and 24 food stalls were set up creating a "gastronomic treat" for those who attended.

Ms McAuliffe said there were many highlights but it was fantastic to have Sormalin Tuor from Cambodia performing on behalf of the Cambodian community.

"Everyone was very excited to have her perform but she got a bit shy about an hour before the show and said she did not want to perform," she said.

"I had to beg her but everyone was so happy she did. She was delightful."

Ms McAuliffe said it was great to see so many people turn out to support the event.

"People really do see it as part of their civic responsibility to make sure the day goes well and it really did."

The Nelson region has the third highest concentration of migrants in New Zealand, with about 20 per cent of its population born overseas.