ABSTRACT
This chapter reveals another particular phenomenon that exists in the new Chinese immigrant families – that is reverse remittance. Reverse remittances indicate that the financial nexus between the first-generational adult Chinese immigrants in New Zealand and their older parents in China is usually from China to New Zealand rather than from New Zealand to China. Such a reversed pattern of remittances challenges one well-reserved Chinese cultural tradition – filial piety that requires adult children to take financial and daily responsibility to look after their older parents. The reverse remittances also determine the power relation within a multigenerational Chinese immigrant family; and consequently, influence the overall family dynamics and settlement plan.
