Over a steaming cup of jasmine tea on a table overflowing with dim sums, @simonlwong and @chyna.lily got talking about their upbringings. Before they knew it, the seed had been laid for what would become their new book 'Territory Unknown'. In four years of living in Tāmaki Makaurau alone, my best friend and I have probably consumed over 100 bowls of chicken feet at various yum cha venues. Most of these dates would’ve likely fallen on a dusty Sunday or if one of us were feeling homesick. It’s these traditions that make up the bones to form a strong cultural identity. Yet, it’s also these traditions that we try to erase out of existence in our youth, for how ashamed we’re made to feel by Western culture. 'Territory Unknown' is a celebration of what it means to grow up as Chinese-Pākeha. The book owns Simon and Chyna’s selfhood, particularly as they work through the stages some of us know all too well—shame of any language that isn’t English, the yearning for a more “normal” name and most of all, the pressure to assimilate into whiteness. The concept of ‘Otherness’ is something that will feel as foreign to its creators as its victims are made to feel. The pair’s collaborative book comes at a poignant time, particularly as people begin to forget about the rise of Asian hate during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s a privilege to forget. Through their brilliant and enigmatic photography, the duo hope to widen the lens through which our upbringings have framed around us. Their representation as Chinese-Pākeha is also undoubtedly crucial. Pākeha in the creative industry will rarely worry about being tokenised and used for their ethnicity. Nor will they ever feel the itch of discomfort from being the only person of colour in the room. To reckon with your cultural identity is a process that can feel endless and tiring, but to then invite someone else into this sphere requires an inordinate amount of trust. Head to Coolpretty.cool to immerse yourself in the admirable mahi of Chyna Lily and Simon L Wong and peruse the exclusive behind-the-scenes photos. Features writer: @yawynne Photos: @chyna.lily and @simonlwong