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| Devin Dai
| | '''Devin Dai''' is a New Zealand-based entrepreneur, President of LovedForever.org.nz and founder of [[Headstone Factory Limited]]. His work spans the memorial industry, public art, commemorative projects, community initiatives and digital heritage preservation. |
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| 戴非凡 · Feifan Dai
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| Artist · Entrepreneur · Founder · Cultural Communicator
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| </div></div>'''Devin Dai''' (Chinese: '''戴非凡'''; also known as '''Feifan Dai''') is a Chinese-born entrepreneur, artist, cultural communicator and founder based in New Zealand.
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| He is the founder of [[LovedForever]], a digital memorial and life-story platform developed around the idea that every person's life and family story deserves to be preserved.
| | Alongside his business activities, Dai has been involved in charitable and community-oriented projects, as well as artistic work that explores the relationship between culture, identity, memory and public space. These experiences have informed his approach to creating meaningful memorials and commemorative works that reflect not only individual lives, but also the histories, values and cultural identities of families and communities. |
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| Dai has worked across several fields including entrepreneurship, traditional Chinese arts, digital media, cultural exchange and memorial services. | | Through Headstone Factory Limited, Dai works with families to develop personalised memorials and contributes to commemorative projects that bring together design, craftsmanship and remembrance. His broader interests extend beyond physical memorials to the role of art and public commemoration in preserving collective memory and strengthening connections between people and their heritage. |
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| == Early Life and Education ==
| | Dai subsequently established LovedForever, a digital heritage platform founded on the principle that every life has a story worth preserving. The platform aims to provide an accessible online space where individuals and families can document life stories, connect family histories, and preserve photographs, memories and personal legacies for future generations. Its vision extends beyond remembrance of those who have passed away to include the stories and experiences of people who are still living, as well as the histories of families and communities. |
| Dai was born in 1989 in China.
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| He studied at Yangtze University, where he studied urban planning and became involved in student organisations, communications and entrepreneurial activities.
| | Bringing together entrepreneurship, artistic practice, community engagement and digital innovation, Dai's work reflects a broader interest in making cultural and personal heritage more accessible and enduring. Through both physical commemorative works and digital archives, he seeks to help ensure that the stories behind people, places and communities are not lost to time. |
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| During his university years, Dai participated in student media and entrepreneurship projects and developed an early interest in business, communication and cultural activities.
| | His approach is grounded in a simple idea: '''preserving heritage is not only about remembering the past, but also about ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to understand the people, experiences and stories that shaped it.''' |
| | | [[Category:People]] |
| Public profiles have described him as a recipient of the 2010 China College Student Self-Improvement Star recognition and as a 2011 Hubei Youth Entrepreneurship Model.
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| == Early Entrepreneurship ==
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| Dai began experimenting with entrepreneurship at a young age.
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| During his teenage years and university period, he participated in a variety of commercial and community projects. While studying at university, he helped establish student entrepreneurship initiatives and later became involved in projects including student-oriented businesses and media activities.
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| His early experiences contributed to his later interest in combining business, culture and communication. | |
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| == Transition to Arts ==
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| In 2013, Dai left a government-related career path and moved into the field of traditional Chinese arts.
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| He moved to Yixing, Jiangsu, an important centre of Chinese zisha pottery, and began working in zisha art design and creation.
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| He later studied under Chinese arts and crafts master Ge Jun (葛军).
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| Dai used the artistic name '''Hutuxian''' (壶涂仙) and was associated with the creation and promotion of zisha art and culture.
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| == Zisha Art and Cultural Exchange ==
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| Dai's work in zisha art later developed into a broader interest in cultural exchange between China and New Zealand.
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| Public reports describe his participation in China–New Zealand arts and cultural exchange activities and his role in promoting Chinese zisha culture in New Zealand.
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| One notable project involved a series of zisha works inspired by New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi.
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| The project involved children from a New Zealand primary school creating kiwi-themed artwork, which was incorporated into zisha vessels.
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| A related kiwi zisha work was presented as a cultural gift and was reported to have been accepted for permanent collection by members of the Māori Royal Family.
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| == China–New Zealand Cultural Exchange ==
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| Dai has participated in activities promoting cultural and artistic exchange between China and New Zealand.
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| In 2019, reports described him as participating in the China–New Zealand Arts and Crafts Education Conference and as receiving recognition connected with China–New Zealand arts and crafts cultural exchange.
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| He also participated in discussions and events involving Chinese zisha artists and Māori artists and cultural representatives.
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| His work during this period focused on using traditional Chinese arts as a medium for cultural communication between the two countries.
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| == New Zealand ==
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| In 2018, Dai moved to New Zealand for further study.
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| His public writings describe his decision to study in New Zealand at the age of 30 as an important turning point in his life.
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| Since moving to New Zealand, he has become involved in business, cultural activities and community-oriented projects.
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| == Entrepreneurship in New Zealand ==
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| Dai has established and participated in several businesses in New Zealand.
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| He is a director and shareholder of '''Happy Kiwis Group Limited''', a New Zealand registered company established in 2021.
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| He is also the founder, director and shareholder of '''Headstone Factory Limited''', a New Zealand company established in 2024 and operating in the monumental and memorial industry.
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| Headstone Factory provides memorial-related services including headstone manufacturing, memorial installation, inscriptions and related memorial products.
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| == LovedForever ==
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| Dai is the founder of '''LovedForever.org.nz''', a digital memorial platform designed to preserve people's lives, stories, memories and family histories.
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| The concept behind LovedForever developed from Dai's belief that historical records should not be limited to famous individuals.
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| While traditional encyclopedias and historical publications often focus on notable public figures, ordinary people also have lives, relationships, experiences, photographs and stories that are meaningful to their families and communities.
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| LovedForever was created around the principle:
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| '''Every Life Deserves to Be Remembered.'''
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| The platform is designed as a memorial wiki where families and communities can create and contribute to memorial pages.
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| A LovedForever memorial may include:
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| * Life stories
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| * Family trees
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| * Photographs
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| * Videos
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| * Personal memories
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| * Tributes
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| * Important life events
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| * Cemetery information
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| * Family history
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| * Stories contributed by family and friends
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| The platform also explores the connection between physical memorials and digital memorial pages through QR codes.
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| == Editorial Philosophy ==
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| As the founder and Editor-in-Chief of LovedForever, Dai is involved in developing the platform's editorial direction and content principles.
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| The platform aims to create a respectful environment where families can preserve memories while maintaining appropriate privacy and dignity.
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| Its broader philosophy is expressed through the concept:
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| '''A Wiki for Every Life.'''
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| == Creative and Cultural Interests ==
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| Dai's work has crossed several areas, including:
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| * Traditional Chinese arts
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| * Zisha pottery
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| * Entrepreneurship
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| * Digital media
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| * Cultural exchange
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| * Family history
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| * Memorial culture
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| * Community projects
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| * Digital preservation
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| His career reflects an ongoing interest in combining traditional culture with new forms of communication and technology.
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| == Selected Recognition and Activities ==
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| Publicly available profiles and reports have associated Dai with a number of activities and recognitions, including:
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| * 2010 China College Student Self-Improvement Star recognition
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| * 2011 Hubei Youth Entrepreneurship Model
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| * 2011 World University Games Campus Communication Ambassador
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| * 2012 Jingzhou Outstanding Young Volunteer
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| * Participation in China–New Zealand cultural and arts exchange activities
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| * Recognition associated with China–New Zealand arts and crafts cultural exchange
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| == Personal Philosophy ==
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| Dai has frequently expressed an interest in entrepreneurship, cultural creativity, personal development and building projects with long-term value.
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| A recurring theme in his work has been the belief that traditional culture can be preserved and communicated through new forms of media and technology.
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| This idea later became part of the philosophy behind LovedForever: using modern digital technology to preserve stories and memories that might otherwise disappear.
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| == See Also ==
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| * [[LovedForever]]
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| * [[Headstone Factory]]
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| * [[Digital Memorial]]
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| * [[Family History]]
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| * [[Zisha]]
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| * [[New Zealand–China Cultural Exchange]]
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| </div>{{TributeWidget}}
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Devin Dai is a New Zealand-based entrepreneur, President of LovedForever.org.nz and founder of Headstone Factory Limited. His work spans the memorial industry, public art, commemorative projects, community initiatives and digital heritage preservation.
Alongside his business activities, Dai has been involved in charitable and community-oriented projects, as well as artistic work that explores the relationship between culture, identity, memory and public space. These experiences have informed his approach to creating meaningful memorials and commemorative works that reflect not only individual lives, but also the histories, values and cultural identities of families and communities.
Through Headstone Factory Limited, Dai works with families to develop personalised memorials and contributes to commemorative projects that bring together design, craftsmanship and remembrance. His broader interests extend beyond physical memorials to the role of art and public commemoration in preserving collective memory and strengthening connections between people and their heritage.
Dai subsequently established LovedForever, a digital heritage platform founded on the principle that every life has a story worth preserving. The platform aims to provide an accessible online space where individuals and families can document life stories, connect family histories, and preserve photographs, memories and personal legacies for future generations. Its vision extends beyond remembrance of those who have passed away to include the stories and experiences of people who are still living, as well as the histories of families and communities.
Bringing together entrepreneurship, artistic practice, community engagement and digital innovation, Dai's work reflects a broader interest in making cultural and personal heritage more accessible and enduring. Through both physical commemorative works and digital archives, he seeks to help ensure that the stories behind people, places and communities are not lost to time.
His approach is grounded in a simple idea: preserving heritage is not only about remembering the past, but also about ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to understand the people, experiences and stories that shaped it.
