Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement
Free Community Heritage Park
138 Allens Road, Allenton, Ashburton.
History
The Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement was once one of the largest and most prominent market gardens in the South Island. Trading as King Bros, the business operated from 1921 until 1964.
The 伍Ng menfolk came to Aotearoa New Zealand from Toi Shan/Hoisan County, one of four counties that make up the Seyip province of Guangdong in China. The 伍Ng men initially settled in Gore but soon moved to Ashburton in 1921, where they rented five acres of land for market gardening. The 伍Ng families were embraced by the Whakatere Ashburton community for their hard work and dedication to providing fresh produce.
This uniquely preserved example of a 20th century Chinese market garden site was declared a post-1900 archaeological site and a Category 1 historic place by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
John Rooney, Yep Ng and former Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay standing next to the pig pit oven at the Ng King Bros. Chinese Market Garden Settlement, March 2013.
Restoration
After the market garden business ceased operations in 1964, the buildings fell into disrepair and a number of ancillary buildings, such as long drops, storage sheds and animal shelters were lost. Fortunately, the majority of the habitable and more historically important structures remained.
Restoration work was carried out between 2019-2023, co-ordinated by Heritage Consultant and Project Manager Arlene Baird. This included stabilising buildings and improving weathertightness of roofs and cladding without affecting the overall heritage aesthetic.
Unfortunately the shed and adjoining store buildings had suffered severe weather damage and collapsed. They were rebuilt using new structural timbers to ensure longevity and recycled materials where possible. These newly repaired and partially rebuilt buildings were repainted in heritage colours kindly donated by Resene.
Volunteers painting the former garages, used for storing carts and later trucks, at the Ng King Bros. Chinese Market Garden Settlement, February, 2022. Courtesy of Arlene Baird.
Archaeology
Archaeologists discovered many artefacts during 2019 works at the Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement. These artefacts were analysed by Underground Overground Archaeology Ltd. They identified remnants of everyday life: animal bones, toothbrushes, combs and game pieces. Fragments of over 120 glass vessels included sauce, rice wine and spirits bottles. There was also a large collection of shoes including boots, oxford shoes, sandals and slippers.
As part of landscaping work carried out at the site, other important archaeological finds were uncovered in 2023. This included a vegetable washing basin, an old fire pit and the original brick foundations of a former building, possibly used for hay storage and kennels. The floor was kept exposed and edging was built around it in order to help tell the story of what was there before.
Archaeologist Gwen Hoopmann uncovering a former concrete path behind the living area at the Ng King Bros. Chinese Market Garden Settlement, February 2022. Courtesy of Arlene Baird.
Community Heritage Park
In 2013 it was agreed that the site would be managed by the Ashburton District Council under a stewardship, while the descendants of the five original Ng King landowners retained ownership. Council made a commitment to administer the land as a reserve and to preserve the heritage values of the property.
25 February 2024 was the start of a new era for the Ng King descendants and the people of Whakatere Ashburton. The site was opened to the public as a community reserve and heritage park. Illustrated interpretation panels installed at the site explore the history and significance of the settlement and its structures and buildings.
Thanks to the many years of hard work dedicated to restoring and interpreting the site, the important contribution of the Ng King family to Whakatere Ashburton has been preserved.
Qiao Yi Hong De Lion Dance Team performing at the official opening of the Ng King Bros. Community Heritage Park, 25 February 2024. Courtesy of the Canterbury branch of the NZ Chinese Association.
Education
Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum is committed to the delivery of education programmes that engage local schoolchildren with the history and significance of the Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement. If you would like to make a donation towards a bus fare that will support local schoolchildren to visit the Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Settlement and participate in an education programme exploring the history and significance of the site, please contact the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum at aagm@adc.govt.nz.
