Starch Work by Experts: Chinese Laundries in Aotearoa New Zealand
(Hardback)
Publishing Details
Starch Work by Experts: Chinese Laundries in Aotearoa New Zealand
By (Author) Joanna Boileau
Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust
Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust
6th June 2019
New Zealand
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Biography: business and industry
Physical Properties
Hardback
386
Width 220mm, Height 300mm
Description
Chinese laundries first opened in the 1880s and were an integral part of New Zealand's social fabric until at least the 1950s. How did they develop in towns from Southland to the far north before slowly disappearing after the 1940s Who ran them and how did they fit into their communitiesStarch Work by Experts: Chinese Laundries in Aotearoa New Zealandtells the story of the laundrymen, their families and customers.
Hand laundries were one of four main occupations for early Chinese settlers, along with mining, market gardening and storekeeping. They provided a low-cost stepping stone to a new life through hard work, skill and long hours. This book counters the stereotype of Chinese laundry work as menial and unskilled. While Chinese laundries were humble establishments, Chinese laundrymen (and women) were experts in starching, particularly men's shirts and detachable collars.
Blending documentary research, personal stories and fascinating images,Starch Work by Expertsgoes beyond the grille to step inside the world of steaming coppers, hissing irons and perfectly starched collars.
Dr Joanna Boileau is an historian specialising in the history of the Chinese in New Zealand and Australia. Her most recent bookChinese Market Gardening in Australia and New Zealand: Gardens of Prosperitywas published by Palgrave McMillan in 2017.
Author Bio
Joanna Boileau's primary passion is history, in particular the history of the Chinese in Australasia with an academic background is in archaeology, anthropology and history.Joanna has developed skills in editing, journalism, and a strong media and communication professional.She is an independent historian and heritage consultant based in Auckland New Zealand. She completed a PhD in history through the University of New England, in Armidale, NSW in 2014. She specialises in local history and the history of the Chinese community in Australia and New Zealand.
