Celebrating New Zealand's first Polish settlers - Taranaki edition
11.10.2021
Polish Ambassador Grzegorz Kowal participated in the commemorations of the 145th anniversary of the arrival of the first large group of Polish settlers to Taranaki region of New Zealand's North Island. The main event saw the opening of a commemorative exhibition, meetings with local diaspora and Polish descendants as well as Thanksgiving Mass.
The exhibition 'New Zealand's First Polish Settlers - Taranaki Edition', prepared by 'Between the Waters', Polish Legacy in New Zealand Charitable Trust with the support of the Polish Embassy in Wellington, was displayed at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Inglewood.
In his speech, the Polish Ambassador thanked the events' organisers and hosts and reminded all gathered that: "Poles and Polish descendants who admit their roots and cultivate Polish traditions are real ambassadors of our country shaping a positive image of Poland abroad and acting for the benefit of the Polish raison d'état."
"2021 marks 145 years since the arrival of 'Fritz Reuter' - vessel that sailed from Hamburg to NZ in 1876. There were around 250 Poles on board seeking new and better life. New Zealand in 1870s desperately needed people accustomed to the woods, forests as well as adverse climatic conditions. Poles were employed for building and preparing groundwork for the first bridges and road in the area. They proved to be steady, tenacious and hardworking settlers; shining example to others; contributing to Taranaki it is today...
Around 80 of Polish descendants, families, friends, local residents and guests gathered last weekend to commemorate the arrival of Polish settlers from Kashuby (Pomerania) and to enjoy the exhibition - short chronicle of the journey, hardships and the contributions made to Taranaki region and wider community."
/source: Between the Waters Facebook page/
