Story: Laotians
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 (PA-Group-00685)
Reference: EP/1988/3942/12-F
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.
How to cite this page
Man Hau Liev and Rosa Chhun, Laotians – Community, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1080/souphong-lanthong-and-his-sons (accessed 17 February 2026).
Story by Man Hau Liev and Rosa Chhun, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 August 2024.