Talia Pua in Iron Eyes by Jang Huddle
PAT has signed on to co-produce and mentor Hand Pulled Collective on a new show highlighting the Chinese Poll Tax imposed on new immigrants of Chinese descent in 1881.
The Chinese Immigrants Act 1881 and the Immigration Restriction Act 1899 and its amendments, set out details of requirements to be met by ‘aliens’ or non-British citizens, entering or leaving New Zealand, When departing overseas, they required certificates of registration to ensure that they would be permitted to re-enter New Zealand.
‘Pork and Poll Taxes’ is a movement based exploration of NZ’s dark history, by creator and performer Talia Pua and produced by Natalya Mandich-Dohn who make up Hand Pulled Collective.
Pork and Poll taxes has been funded by the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust Fund and Creative New Zealand’s continuity grant.
PAT creative director Chye-Ling Huang says, “We couldn’t be more excited to work with Hand Pulled Collective on this piece about an often forgotten event in Aotearoa’s history. Made all the more relevant by the increase in anti-Asian sentiment over Covid era NZ, we are excited to mentor two dedicated and promising talents in the Auckland art’s scene to make something striking and resonant.”