Peter Chin

CNZM, Director, Trustee of Asia:NZ

Peter Chin was born in Dunedin to Chinese parents – shopkeepers who owned and operated stereotypical laundry and fish and chip shops.

He graduated in law from Otago University, and practiced in Dunedin as a senior partner in one of the city's oldest law firms until he was elected as Mayor of Dunedin at the end of 2004.

He has had a lifetime interest in singing, in the performing arts in Dunedin, and has appeared in numerous television productions.  He has also been involved with the Otago Southland Branch of the New Zealand Chinese Association.

He was part of the consultation process following the Government's apology to the Chinese people for the imposition of the Poll Tax and was on the inaugural board of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.

He chaired the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust with the support of Dunedin's sister city Shanghai which delivered New Zealand's first authentic Chinese Garden dedicated to the part played in Otago's historic, cultural and commercial heritage.

He is the Chief Commissioner of the Gambling Commission, and in 2002 was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

He is married with four children and eight grandchildren.