Story: Laotians

Souphong Lanthong and his sons

Souphong Lanthong and his sons

Souphong (right) like many other refugees, spoke very little English when he arrived in New Zealand. One of his first challenges was to learn the language. Trained as a teacher in Laos, he also spoke French but could not get a job in New Zealand as his qualifications were not recognised. He eventually found work in a biscuit factory. He was photographed with his sons in Wellington in 1988.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1988/3942/12-F
Photograph by John Nicholson

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Man Hau Liev and Rosa Chhun, 'Laotians - Community', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/1080/souphong-lanthong-and-his-sons (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Man Hau Liev and Rosa Chhun, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 25 Mar 2015