Koreans seek $5m for culture spree

An artist's impression of the Korean garden planned for Barrys Pt Reserve.

Auckland Koreans are seeking $5 million for three "key projects" they hope will keep their culture alive in this country.

Korean community leader Stanley Park says some Korean youths are assimilating so well in New Zealand that they are losing their heritage and culture.

Three projects - a Korean garden, a Korean school and a Korean culture and heritage centre - are planned.

"Many Koreans send their very young children to New Zealand, believing it would be easier for them to pick up English," said Mr Park. "And some of these young Koreans have adapted so well to New Zealand, they forget their culture and everything about being Korean."

The 1ha Korean garden will be at Barrys Pt Reserve in Takapuna, but a site has yet to be found for the school.

Mr Park, the spokesman for the garden project who also sits on the school project board, says the South Korean government has been approached to cover at least half of the cost of their projects.

However, South Korea's Auckland-based consul, Kwak Tae-yeol, says while he considers all three projects to be justifiable and worthy, the local groups would have to find their own money to fund them.

South Korea is historically influenced by Confucianism, which the Korean school hopes to impart through its programmes, Mr Park said. "Things like respect for elders and discipline are not emphasised enough in New Zealand schools.

"The Korean school will teach values that are important to Korean families."

Mr Park said the community had decided that the garden project would take priority because it would be the most visible and most public of all.

About $120,000 has been raised for the garden since the project was launched last year.

Audrey Chung, spokeswoman for the Korean Society, which is overseeing the culture and heritage centre project, says it has set a target to get the centre up and running within five years.

"The centre will also double up as a Korean community centre where we can also run courses for Kiwis to learn Korean arts, cooking and language as well," said Ms Chung.

About 30,000 Koreans live in New Zealand, most of them on Auckland's North Shore, where the society is planning to build the centre.

KEY PROJECTS

* Korean garden, Barrys Pt Reserve, cost $1.5 million.
* Korean school, estimated cost $2 million.
* Korean culture and heritage centre, estimated cost $1.5 million.