The Chinese had a long history in the province after they trekked into Central Otago in search of gold.

Photo taken on June 10, 2008 shows a corner of Dunedin Chinese garden, in Dunedin, a south city of New Zealand. The ribbon-cutting ceremony of Dunedin Chinese garden was held on Tuesday in Dunedin. (Xinhua Photo) 

Some had returned to set up businesses in Dunedin or start their market gardens.

What mattered to Chinese people was how their achievements and culture were viewed around the world and included into society.

"People in China viewing these gardens will see the contribution of the Chinese community made to Otago has been fully recognized."

A high-level visit from Chinese city of Shanghai would be "the icing on the cake" for Dunedin, she said.

Clark described the gardens as a dream come true.

When she first saw the old site, she found it to be one of the least prepossessing sites she had seen.

"We knew a lot of big-vision community projects were in trouble as the Lotteries Commission did not have a lot of money in kitty. There was a need for us to fill the gap."