Row erupts over remains of miners
A row has erupted over documentary filmmakers claiming to uncover remains of Chinese miners underwater, with officials criticising them for an alleged lack of consultation with the deceased people’s descendants.
The remains of hundreds of Chinese gold miners have been discovered by Project Ventnor Group and Definitive Productions, who were filming a documentary.
The discovery could solve a 118-year-old maritime mystery, after the groups claimed they found the remains of bodies, which were on the SS Ventnor which sank.
However the New Zealand Chinese Association is disappointed the documentary makers were viewing and possibly filming remains of their ancestors. But the filmmakers are adamant no footage has been released showing remains.
In 1902 the bodies of 501 Chinese miners were being sent home to their families via the SS Ventnor.
However, the ship struck a reef near Taranaki and sank off the Hokianga Heads.
In 2012, Project Ventnor chair John Albert, along with ‘‘underwater explorer’’ Keith Gordon, former editor Dave Moran and cameraman Eruera Morgan, went searching for the Ventnor. It was not until May 2020 that the remains were found, the documentary makers said.
Albert said he had been in touch with some descendants of the men, but was hoping to hear from others.
He said he hoped the discovery would bring closure to the men’s families.
But the Chinese Association said it was disappointed that it had received minimal communication from Albert, informing them he found bones.
The association said it was distressed the Project Ventnor group ‘‘appears to want to claim the history’’.
‘‘We want to make it clear this story doesn’t belong to Mr Albert’s group,’’ said Richard Leung, New Zealand Chinese Association President.
Albert said he had contacted senior members of the Chinese Association about the findings, and said no footage of remains had been broadcast. It was ‘‘not illegal’’ to film the ship, he said.