Introducing
Rewi Alley
Introduction
Mr. Rewi Alley, friend of New Zealand. Went to China in 1927,
Dedicated his life to the cause of China’s national independence and nation-building ——Xi Jinping
Rewi Alley is one of China’s “Top Ten International Friends” with the same fame as Nornam Bethune and Edgar Snow. He helped the Chinese people in disaster relief, initiated and led the Chinese Industrial Cooperative Movement in Shanghai, Wuhan and other places to support the War of Resistance against Japan with Snow and other places, founded the Sandan Bailie Technical School to train students in practical skills in the New China… He was unmarried for life, but adopted the children of the victims of war and famine, where he cared for and trained them until they were adults.
From the beginning when he arrived in China in 1927, until his death in Beijing in 1987, Alley’s footprints spread all over China except Taiwan and Tibet. He came to Hubei many times and wrote the monograph “Journey to Hubei”, which records in detail the major changes before and after the liberation of Hubei. Especially from 1932 to 1983, he came to Honghu five times in half a century. Just like migratory birds flying far away always return home, he is affectionately called ” Honghu Migratory Bird ” by the Honghu people .
The history of Rewi Alley and his tangible connections to Christchurch, Selwyn District and the Hurunui District in New Zeland and Gansu Province, Wuhan City, Shandon and Honghu City in China is the nucleus of the four sister city or sister district relationships.
These relationships are held in high esteem by the respective regional government bodies as they acknowledge each region’s value in understanding the history of the Rewi Alley connections and the advancement people to people diplomacy because of Rewi Alley.
Today many people are unaware of the Rewi Alley legacy, the pages about Rewi Alley on this website are written to engage and broaden one’s knowledge about a New Zealander who is famous in China but unknown in his birth country.
We have also included several links to acknowledged thought papers or websites from credible sources about Rewi Alley to ensure a balanced perspective. We invite people to complete their own historical research in Rewi Alley.
Rewi Alley Book
Order yours now!
Written by Rewi Alley’s niece Philippa Reynolds in 1997, it details the life of the New Zealand-born writer, educator and political activist who dedicated 60 years to humanitarian causes in China and written as an easy and engaging read by people of all ages, interests and walks of life.
Over 200 pages detailing the life of Rewi Alley starting from his birth in Canterbury in 1897 through to his death in China in 1987.
Who Was Rewi Alley?
Rewi Alley a New Zealander who lived his life in a great period of change globally. From growing up in Canterbury, fighting the battlefields of Europe in World War 1 and living in China during the birth of Peoples Republic of China and residing there until death in 1987, Rewi Alley was an agent for change and education globally.
Rewi Alley Timeline
Rewi Alley was a man of his time and had a true can-do kiwi attitude, that he used in China during a period of great change for all Chinese people. During his 90 years of life over 60 years were spent in China. From 1929 when he was a Shanghai Fireman and factory inspector to his final days living in Beijing his life story is a remarkable journey and interesting read.
The Legacy Continues
To hold the honour of being one of China’s top 10 friends voted by the Chinese public is one of the few accolades on this earth one can hold. Rewi Alley has left a large legacy to the people of both China and New Zealand, but also the world globally. However many people do not know of Rewi Alley outside China and in New Zealand, his story and legacy are virtually unknown.
Rewi’s Connection to Gansu
Rewi’s Connection to Wuhan City
Official Professional Videos of Rewi Alleys Life
Rewi Alley’s life story in video
Interesting Videos about Rewi Alley
Rewi Alley was a prolific writer during his lifetime
Learn more about Rewi Alley
David Mahon Article
Read the article exploring the life of Rewi Alley written by David Mahon [ipages id="1"]
Canterbury Museum Rewi Alley Collection demystified, how the collection began.
In April 2016 there was a launch of a website dedicated to the Rewi Alley collection held at the Canterbury Museum that revealed new and surprising perspectives on New Zealand’s most extensive collection of Chinese decorative art. Held in its Asian Gallery, the...
REWI ALLEY 120TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE CANTERBURY
The Christchurch China Sister Cities Committee headed by former Chair Mr Eric Livingstone were the lead coordinators for the 120th commemoration celebrations. The event was held on the 120th Anniversary of Rewi Alley’s birth, with events on the day based in...
REWI ALLEY named China’s top 10 Friend
New Zealander educator Rewi Alley has been named as one of China’s top ten international friends for “making exceptional contributions to the country in the past 100 years.” China Radio International (CRI) ran an Internet poll to select the top ten which included...
Rewi Alley & Canterbury Museum Connection
2021 is the 150th celebration of the Canterbury Museum and as we prepare for a much-needed rebuild we have been taking stock of our many wonderful collections. One of these is the Rewi Alley collection which contains over 1000 items given to the museum by Rewi...
