Chinese man becomes coolest man in New Zealand after buying a tank
Staff Writer: Yima
Image Source: Supplied
People often describe Chinese immigrants as low-key and reserved, but there is one Chinese man in New Zealand who has made quite a splash in the media.
At the recent Stihl Shop Browns Bay Boys Toys 2024 exhibition, he showed up in an armored vehicle.
With a unique set of hobbies, he has amassed a collection of "treasures" that has led locals to call him “the man with more military equipment than the New Zealand Army.”
While others drive cars on the street, he drives an armored vehicle.
He even has his own private land for driving tank.
Instead of everyday items at home, his house is filled with "various military equipment."
Get a Tank from the UK
Crown Xu, who acquired this armored vehicle a few years ago at an auction in the UK with a friend.
This is a West German Cold War-era military vehicle. After the Cold War, it was auctioned off. Crown Xu, passionate about military collections, was excited when he saw the auction and contacted his friend to bid on it. They put great effort into shipping it to New Zealand.
This was not his first military vehicle. Before this armored vehicle, he had already collected troop carriers and other military vehicles, as well as his own Humvee.
Many people imagine armored vehicles as being too heavy for everyday use and worry they would damage the streets.
Before the auction, Crown Xu considered this and confirmed that it was a vehicle suitable for road use.
The vehicle has rubber tracks, so it doesn’t place too much pressure on the road. He often drives it to various events in Auckland. Many people also reach out to him for various reasons, wanting to experience the vehicle up close.
This vehicle has appeared in many fashion photo shoots and is often rented for birthday parties, film productions, and themed events.
Started Hunting at Age 7
Crown Xu was born into a family of doctors in Beijing, with two older brothers. Growing up with his uncles, who were very "masculine," he developed an interest in hunting and military affairs from a young age.
While other children were playing with toy guns, he was already handling real firearms for hunting.
At the age of 7 or 8, he started going hunting in the suburbs of Beijing with his uncle, who was a physical education teacher. By his teenage years, he owned his own air rifle.
Initially, his parents were worried and thought it was too dangerous for him to play with guns. They even locked his guns away in a closet, but he managed to sneak them out and continue playing.
Over time, his parents realized that he wasn’t causing any trouble and often came back safely with game he had hunted. Their attitude changed, and they began to support his hobby, allowing him to indulge in it freely.
Wearing leather jackets, leading a hunting dog, and walking into the woods to wait for prey—such scenes occurred countless times during his childhood.
Even now, he continues to hunt regularly.
Hunting, Horseback Riding and Collecting in New Zealand
Crown Xu gets excited when talking about hunting. This is a hobby he has pursued for decades, and it has become a major part of his life.
“When hunting, wind direction and scent are very important,” he says.
To successfully hunt, he prepares thoroughly, “I don’t smoke because animals are very sensitive and can detect smells. I also avoid wearing reflective clothing, as animals’ eyesight is sharp”.
Wind direction is also crucial, as animals are sensitive to changes in the environment.
Crown Xu has become very familiar with New Zealand’s natural landscape through hunting.
“Many people ask to come hunting with me, but if they wear perfume or apply skincare products, I’ll tell them to go clean up first. Scent is deadly in hunting.”
Crown Xu enjoys the entire hunting process—walking into the woods, appreciating the scenery, finding prey, and making the shot himself.
“In hunting, patience is key,” he says. In a recent hunt, he shot two deer in five seconds, an experience he’s had many times before.
After arriving in New Zealand, his hunting skills were already well-honed, but he joined local clubs to further improve, learning new shooting and hunting techniques, and connecting with other enthusiasts.
He quickly mastered the New Zealand style of hunting and obtained the necessary local certifications.
Most importantly, he found a sense of belonging and made friends with people from various fields who shared his passion.
“New Zealand is a paradise for hunters,” he says. Deer hunting is possible year-round, and there are public hunting grounds available.
In addition to hunting, Crown Xu is also skilled at horse riding and owns his own ranch.
He enjoys leisurely riding through the open fields, feeling free and carefree.
Of course, what made him famous is his weapon collection—armored vehicles, Humvees, guns from different eras.
Many of the items he owns can only be seen in museums, but they are stored in his warehouse.
The Softer Side of a Tough Man A Super Dad to Four Kids
In 1985, China experienced its first wave of self-funded study abroad programs.
In 1988, Crown Xu obtained a Japanese student visa and went to Japan.
Although he went abroad with a Japanese visa, he wasn’t particularly interested in Japanese culture or language. Instead, he saw it as a stepping stone to explore the world.
During his studies, he traveled to many countries across Asia, Africa, and South America, eventually choosing New Zealand.
“I had a cousin working at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing who shared information about New Zealand with me. I learned that it’s rich in natural resources and very safe, so I decided to immigrate.”
More than 30 years ago, Crown Xu arrived in New Zealand, and after three and a half years, he obtained residency.
In 1993, he left New Zealand to work, and in 1997, his first child was born.
Wanting his child to have New Zealand residency, the whole family moved back to New Zealand.
After nearly 30 years of living here, Crown Xu now considers New Zealand his home.
Despite his tough image as a hunter and weapon collector, he is a caring and dedicated father to his four children. His eldest is now in university, and his youngest is about to enter middle school.
Every afternoon after 2:00 p.m., Crown Xu devotes his time to his children, picking them up from school, taking them to outdoor activities, and staying busy with family responsibilities.
“Every day is busy, spending time with the kids, my wife, and sometimes clients, but I still find time to hunt and ride horses.”
As a Chinese immigrant, he has found his own way to settle into New Zealand. “When Chinese people arrive here with nothing, locals think it’s normal. But if we have a lot, we may be met with jealousy. So it’s important to be neither arrogant nor servile and make sure everything is perfect.”
Crown Xu now operates a high-end tourism business, catering to clients interested in hunting and military collections from China and abroad.
He has found a way to turn his passion into a thriving business, making a name for himself in New Zealand’s military collectibles and hunting circles and bringing the influence of Chinese culture to the scene.
