Debbie Sew Hoy

Import Specialist, New Zealand Post

Debbie is a 5th generation Chinese New Zealander. Her great, great grandfather Choie Sew Hoy came to New Zealand in 1869 to seek his fortune in the Central Otago goldfields.

She has worked in marketing roles for a range of FMCG companies including Unilever, SC Johnson, Tip Top Ice Cream, NZ Dairy before joining the family apparel business. She has 17 years experience building relationships in China and Bangladesh, supplying major retailers in New Zealand such as The Warehouse and Farmers Trading. She experienced many changes and developments in China and enjoyed the challenge of this ever-changing environment. More recently Debbie has joined the International team at New Zealand Post as the Import Specialist.

Between 2004 and 2011, Debbie was an inaugural trustee of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust. Prior to this she was a member of the Poll Tax Advisory (community) team that consulted directly with the government following the Government’s apology in 2002. Debbie is an executive committee member of New Zealand Chinese Association Auckland, and helped to set up the Cantonese Bilingual Music School. Other governance roles have included the role of Trustee of Oranga Primary School from 2003 to 2009. Debbie was also a member of the NZAL Advisory Board from inception in 2013 through to 2016. As part of the Future Director programme Debbie joined The Lion Foundation board in October 2019.  Debbie is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Debbie’s hope for her 2 children is that they will embrace their NZ Chinese identity, value their heritage and appreciate the struggles that their ancestors had, to give them the life that they enjoy today.