Poland in New Zealand

On 1 November 2019, 75 years after the arrival of 733 Polish children and their 102 caregivers aboard the US ship General Randall to the port of Wellington, about 60 of the original children with families returned to Pahiatua - a town where those children found shelter from atrocities of World War 2. This small New Zealand town became a centre place of Polish celebrations, reminiscing and meetings for those who spent their childhood years together.

The celebrations were attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland Zbigniew Gniatkowski, Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis, New Zealand Minister of Defence Ron Mark, local MPs as well as the Polish Community and city residents. The Polish guests were greeted with Polish flags, the youth of the local school prepared an artistic program including kapa haka and Polish folk dances were presented by “Orlęta" from Wellington.

The Polish Ambassador Zbigniew Gniatkowski addressed the audience saying: "75 years ago, as today, they were welcomed with hospitality and warm hearts. Polish orphans could discover their full potential and remain proud of their Polish roots. Despite the distance, their love for Poland, the land of ancestors, remain pure and unbroken. That heartfelt connection with the first Homeland was maintained and possible also thanks to special conditions here in the camp called “Little Poland”, with Polish personnel, education programme, including Scouting. And last but not least Catholic faith. Later, when the Polish Children settled in their new home country, coherently they established a Polish House and a Polish School in Wellington – with the aim of being together as the big family and for bringing up next generations in the spirit of patriotism, in the spirit of Polishness. On behalf of the Polish authorities, I wish to extended our sincere gratitude to the Government and people of New Zealand, and in particular people of Pahiatua, for your great hearts, and assistance you offered in difficult time." (Read Ambassador's speech)

A moving speech was given by Minister Ron Mark, who is personally associated with Pahiatua. He also referred to the brave Polish soldiers of World War II, who fought as brothers-in-arms with New Zealanders on many fronts (see our presentation).

Minister Mark said: "The trauma they would have suffered in the forced labour camps in Russia’s Siberia. The deaths of their parents. The separation from their families. Being shipped to Iran and eventually all the way here to New Zealand. Such is quite unimaginable to the average New Zealander."

Referring to his military past, Minister of Defence added: "As a soldier, as an officer, as a student of a military history, there are things that I know about Poland that, I guess, that a lot of other New Zealanders may not. The atrocities that were committed on their officers in Katyń wood, the atrocities that were committed on the nation, on the people, not just by Nazi Germany, but by Russia. The bravery with which that nation and its free army fought in battles such as Market Garden, where they parachuted in and where the British airborne took such heavy losses, but the Poles succeeded."

Minister Ron Mark finished his speech saying: "I can only marvel at what Poland has achieved, the price it’s paid and how it has risen. And the children who came here are part of that history, that legacy. And I think we here in Pahiatua are very privileged to have been able to play a very small part and assist that nation to recover, and the way we did." (see Minister's speech)

Guests also visited the local museum in Pahiatua, where numerous memorabilia related to the Polish Children are exhibited. A symbolic grotto, placed just next to the Museum, was unveiled and blessed that day. It is a replica of the Blessed Virgin Mary chapel located in the then camp often called "Little Poland". The Polish group of visitors also stopped at the commemorative monument placed just near where the camp used to be located in the past.

The following day, the Polish Ambassador Z. Gniatkowski, Consul A. Kacperska, President of the Polish Association in New Zealand H. Fagan and a representative of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade laid flowers on the graves of the first Consul General of the Republic of Poland Kazimierz Wodzicki and Maria Wodzicka and the then Prime Minister of New Zealand Peter Fraser and his wife Janet Fraser.

Anniversary commemorations continued in Wellington that day. An occasional letter was sent to the participants by the Secretary of State Adam Kwiatkowski and read out by the Polish Consul A. Kacperska. The letter referred to last year’s official visit to New Zealand by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda and the meeting of the Presidential Couple representatives of the Pahiatua Children.

During the gala dinner, Ambassador Z. Gniatkowski addressed the audience: "Poland is grateful to the Pahiatua Children for maintaining their Polish heritage, language and culture. Despite the drama of the war, distance, difficulties in building life in a new foreign country, (...) you supported Polish independence before 1989 and you still support Poland. You have been and remain a role model. Please accept the words of thanks and our highest respect. Thank you and we wish you many years of healthy and happy life. "

In addition, the Polish Ambassador invited the descendants of Pahiatua Children to visit Poland: “Many of you have been to Poland recently to witness how beautiful and wealthy is our country. I would like to encourage all of you – those born in New Zealand – go to Poland, develop connections with the country of your parents and ancestors, beloved country of the Polish Children of Pahiatua.”

On Sunday, 3 November, a Holy Mass was celebrated in St Mary of the Angels parish in Wellington. It was concelebrated by Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, Bishop Wiesław Lechowicz, the Polish Bishops Conference's delegate for diaspora Catholics, Fr Tadeusz Przybylak, SChr Provincial from Canberra and Fr Kevin Conroy, Parish Priest of St Mary of the Angels.

Bishop W. Lechowicz also blessed a plaque on the Polish Children – Polskie Dzieci Square in the center of Wellington. Ambassador Zbigniew Gniatkowski reminded that the plaque was unveiled by the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda during his visit to New Zealand in August 2018. The inscription on the plaque states that it is to commemorate "friendship and partnership between New Zealand and Poland in the centenary of Poland’s regained Independence." A resolution on naming the square after the Polish Children was adopted by the Wellington City Council upon the initiative of the Polish Embassy on June 27, 2018.

Additionally, on November 4, at the Victoria University of Wellington an event commemorating Polish Children of Pahiatua was held to acknowledge University’s Polish alumni (and their descendants) on this special milestone and to formally acknowledge their contribution to both the University and to New Zealand. Krystyna Tomaszyk presented the story of the arrival of the Polish Children to New Zealand as well as her research on the professional activity of descendants of that group. Among the speakers were also Rebecca Needham, Assistant Vice Chancellor (International Engagement), Victoria University of Wellington and Polish Ambassador Zbigniew Gniatkowski. Mrs Tomaszyk presented the University with a copy of her new book “Polish Children in Isfahan – 1942 – 1944”. About 80 people took part in the event, including numerous Pahiatua Children. 

Speaking at the event the Polish Ambassador said: "Krystyna, tonight you represent all those Polish Children who enormously contributed to New Zealand development over the past years. Please accept my highest recognition for your merits and commitment to social and educational work. Today’s independent Poland has got worthy representatives of this dramatic and at the same time heroic Siberian ethos in you, here, in New Zealand. We pay our respects and thank you for your perseverance and your love for our homeland."

The 75th anniversary of the arrival of Polish children to New Zealand will also be celebrated with two classical music concerts performed by the Wellington-based SMP Ensemble on November 15th and 17th at St Andrews on the Terrace. These events are proudly supported by the Polish Embassy.

In addition to the central celebrations of the 75th anniversary, local celebrations were also held in Auckland on Labour Day weekend in October with over 200 people present. The celebrations in Christchurch are scheduled for November 9-10.