Rewi Alley – the most famous New Zealander in China.

This event has been especially designed for anyone who is blind or has low vision. Entry is free for everyone to attend.

Caption: Painting of Rewi Alley in middle age. He is wearing a peaked cap and a warm jacket. There are snowy mountains in the background.

Rewi Alley (1897–1987): 

One man, born on the Canterbury Plains.  

Went to China and became an outstanding inspiration for good. 

 

Rewi lived most of his adult life in China and became a humanitarian, educator and social reformer. His tireless efforts improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

Anyone who is blind or has low vision is invited to this unique event. Accompanying whānau and friends will be most welcome, as well as interested members of the public. Come along to discover:

“Who was Rewi Alley?”

“Why was he famous?”

“What did he do?”

When: Saturday 26 September 2026, 2:15 – 3:45pm.

Please arrive at 2:15 and be seated and ready to start at 2:30pm. Taxi pick-up time at the end of the event will be at 4pm.

Where: Manurewa Library (in the Community Room)

7 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2102. Click here for the map reference.

Price: FREE

RSVP: Not essential but preferred. If you wish to confirm, please email Jocelyn Alley-Watkin on: jo**********@***il.com or text Jocelyn on 027 493 9851.

Caption: Photo of the exterior of Manurewa Library, which is a single-level building with a large veranda. There is a 2-hour carpark at the side of this building

What will happen at the event?

There will be a keynote address by New Zealand author Geoff Chapple, who wrote the biography ”Rewi Alley of China”.

An English Braille version of that book will be available to touch and explore. David Boyd, a young blind man from Manurewa, will read an extract from the Braille edition.

Who is organising this event?

The Rewi Alley Foundation of New Zealand, which is a registered charity that is dedicated to promoting and preserving the legacy of Rewi Alley.

The trust board includes those who had connections with him, including his New Zealand and Chinese family members.

We gratefully acknowledge the support and funding by the Manurewa Local Board to hold this event.

Photo Caption: David, a young bearded man, sits on a couch. On his lap is a volume of the Braille version of Geoff Chapple’s biography called “Rewi Alley of China”. David is reading aloud from the Braille. Geoff sits next to him holding the book of this biography. He is comparing the text to match David’s words.

How to get to the event 

The Manurewa Library is located at 7 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2102 and is close to public transport. It is:

  • a 1-minute walk from the Gt South Road, Manurewa (a main transport route) 
  • a 7 – 10-minute walk from the Manurewa Train Station (Stop 98 on the Southern Line). 
  • an 8 – 10-minute walk from the Manurewa Bus Interchange. 8 Selwyn Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2102. The bus interchange is almost next door to the Southmall Manurewa Shopping Centre. Refer to map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BPJNZ9KUjfiFi7r68  

Free parking: There is a 2-hour free car park for your friends and whānau at the back of the library. The entrance to this car park is from Hill Road.  

RSVP: Not essential but preferred. If you wish to confirm, please email Jocelyn Alley-Watkin on: jo**********@***il.com or text Jocelyn on 027 493 9851. 

How to find out more about the event and also about Rewi Alley 

Fun fact about Rewi

In 1938, he invented the slogan “Gung Ho” (which means work together) for the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives that helped China during their war of resistance against Japan. Later this slogan was commandeered by the US Marine Corps as it was mistaken for a rallying call to ‘go for it’.

Photo caption: This is the Gung Ho logo. It is shaped as an inverted triangle with rounded corners and has two Chinese characters inside the triangle, which translate as “Working Together” or “Work Together”.