Phomen Singh (1869/1870 – 27 May 1935), also known as Phuman Singh or Phomen Singh Gill, is celebrated as one of the earliest Indian migrants to New Zealand, where he established a successful confectionery business.
Singh’s remarkable journey from his native Punjab to becoming a key figure in the history of Indian settlers in New Zealand is a story of resilience, determination, and cultural integration. As one of the first Indian pioneers in the country, Singh’s life stands as a testament to overcoming racial barriers, preserving cultural identity, and building a successful career in an unfamiliar land.
Early Life in Punjab
Phomen Singh was born in the village of Charik, in the Moga district of Punjab, India. Growing up in a Sikh family of farmers, Singh experienced a simple rural upbringing alongside his parents, Bela and Sundar, and his two brothers.
His elder brother, Bir Singh, ventured to Hong Kong and later to Australia in the 1880s, leading the family to lose contact with him. The absence of communication prompted the family to send Phomen on a mission to find his brother when he reached the age of 22. This journey to reunite with his sibling would be the start of Singh’s life-changing adventure.
In Australia, Phomen Singh succeeded in locating Bir Singh, and the brothers lived together for three years. However, the call of new opportunities led the two brothers to set their sights on New Zealand, where they arrived around 1890. Little did they know, their arrival would mark the beginning of an important chapter in the history of Indian migration to New Zealand.
Settling in New Zealand and Early Struggles
As early Indian settlers in New Zealand, the Singh brothers encountered challenges in adjusting to a new society. One notable moment of racial prejudice occurred in Auckland when Singh’s turban, an important symbol of Sikh identity, was publicly unraveled. The painful experience of having his hair exposed led Singh to make the difficult decision to cut his hair and cease wearing a turban. It was a personal sacrifice that highlighted the pressure many immigrants faced to fit into the cultural norms of their adopted countries.
While his brother Bir eventually moved to Whanganui and embraced a different path—marrying a Māori woman and working as a herbalist—Phomen stayed in Auckland, determined to make his mark in business. It was there that Singh began his career as a confectioner. Guided by a Muslim confectioner, Singh learned the art of making sweets, a skill that would become the foundation of his future success.
A Sweet Path to Success
In 1898, Phomen Singh moved to Wellington and started selling Indian sweets, curries, and chutneys door-to-door from a suitcase. His business grew steadily as he built connections and gained trust within the community. Around this time, Phomen Singh met and married Margaret Ford, an English nurse from Kent. The couple had four children—three sons and one daughter—and later eight grandchildren, ensuring that Singh’s legacy would continue through future generations.
Singh’s confectionery venture officially began when he partnered with a Muslim businessman, Charlie Abraham, to form Abraham, Singh, and Company, Indian Lollie Manufacturers. Though the partnership dissolved soon after it began, Singh took over the business independently, determined to make it thrive. With shops in Whanganui, Singh’s family lived behind one of the storefronts, and Singh employed a fellow Sikh migrant, Ganda Singh, who also became involved in local cultural performances.
Business Challenges and Triumphs
Singh’s business ventures faced a series of ups and downs. Despite opening sweet and fruit shops in towns like New Plymouth, Eltham, and Marton, the businesses initially struggled to take off. However, Singh’s perseverance eventually paid off when he moved to Palmerston North in 1924, where his confectionery business flourished.
The shops he established on The Square and Rangitikei Street became popular fixtures in the town. Singh, alongside his family, produced sweets from their home on Andrew Young Street, distributing them to nearby towns by horse-drawn van.
Through hard work and a reputation for quality, Phomen Singh solidified his standing as a successful businessman in the Palmerston North area. His journey from a door-to-door salesman to owning a well-established confectionery company serves as a shining example of resilience in the face of adversity.
Legacy and Contributions to New Zealand
Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Phomen Singh’s contribution to New Zealand’s cultural landscape cannot be overlooked. He was among the first to bring the Sikh religious scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, to New Zealand in 1892.
This act of devotion underscored his deep connection to his faith, despite the pressures to conform to Western customs. Furthermore, Singh played a key role in preserving Sikh traditions during his daughter Kartari’s wedding in Te Aroha, which garnered significant public attention in the 1930s for adhering to Sikh customs.
Phomen Singh’s personal resilience was evident in the face of declining health. After a long period of illness, Singh made one last trip to India to recuperate. Upon his return to New Zealand, he donated his cherished copy of Max Arthur Macauliffe’s “The Sikh Religion VI” to the Palmerston North Public Library, a gesture reflecting his commitment to sharing his culture and history.
Phomen Singh passed away on 27 May 1935, but his contributions to New Zealand’s Indian community and his entrepreneurial legacy live on. He is remembered as one of the country’s first Indian settlers, leaving a lasting impact through his confectionery business and cultural contributions.