New to New Zealand, Migrant Worker from China Suffers Devastating Injuries

On October 25, 2022, Mr. Panlong Chang, a painter from Luoyang, China, was involved in a serious car accident in Hamilton when his car, driven by a colleague, collided with a truck at an intersection. Mr. Chang had come to New Zealand only one month earlier, leaving his wife and two young children behind in China, in order to work and send money home to them. The tragic accident resulted in him being hospitalized at Hamilton Waikato Hospital with head trauma, damage to his lumbar spine and severe intestinal injuries. His wife, Panfei Xu, applied for a visitor visa and rushed to her husband’s side overnight.

After 11 days in ICU, Mr. Chang regained consciousness and was moved to the recovery ward, however he currently does not recognize his wife and has a long road ahead in terms of recovery. In the near future, Mr. Chang and his wife will need to find outpatient accommodation, and although they are being supported by the local Chinese community, there are many challenges ahead including living in an unfamiliar environment, the language barrier and overall lack of funds.