Poland in New Zealand

The event was also an ocassion to commemorate Poland's Constitution Day. On 3 May 1791, parliamentarians of Polish and Lithuanian Commonwealth adopted, during the deliberations of the Great Sejm, the Governance Act known as the Constitution of 3rd of May. This modern legislation of Enlightenment was the world’s second, after the American one, and Europe’s first written constitution. 

In principle, the Constitution adopted very revolutionary mechanism – nowadays fundament of all modern democracies – separation of powers into three branches - executive, legislative, and judiciary powers. - reminded Ambassador Grzegorz Kowal in his speech.

Among the speakers during the official part of the event were Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to New Zealand Grzegorz Kowal, Megan Woods - New Zealand Minister for Housing, Energy and Resources and Research, Science and Innovation, Lianne Dalziel - Mayor of Christchurch, Dorota Szymanska - founder of Between the Waters foundation, Jacek Pawlowski - President of the Polish Association in Christchurch and Sir David Carter, former Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament.

Special video messages were presented by Goveror-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro and Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk. CSO violinist of Polish origin Laura Barton performed Oginski's Polonaise. Polonus Dance Group and the Polish children performed Polish dances. A tribute to Ukraine was made by a minute of silence followed by a moving pefrormance by Ukrainian artists. Throughout the event an exhibition on first Polish settlers prepared by Between the Waters Foundation was displayed.

In her poignant address, New Zealand Governor-General reminded about the history of those first Poles: In 1872 the first ships bringing Polish settlers to New Zealand arrived to Lyttelton and later in Dunedin. Your ancestors had experienced extreme hardship and dangerous journeys before reaching our shores. They may have reached refuge, but they could not rest. Their new home - New Zealand - was at the early stage of European settlement. There was much work to be done to break in the land.  

The event commemorating a special milestones for the Polish Communities around New Zealand attracted numerous guests, including Poto Williams, New Zealand Minister for Building and Construction and Police, Deputy Mayor of Christchurch and several local MPs. Małgorzata Kwiatkowska, President of the Polish Community Council of Australia and Poland's Honorary Consul Bogusław Nowak were present as well as representatives of many Polish organisations from around New Zealand. Descendants of the Polish settlers and representatives of Christchurch business and cultural scene were also present in high numbers. 

A focal point of the event was an unveiling and blessing of the commemorative plaque dedicated to the first Polish settlers. The plaque will be placed in Lyttelton later in the year and will be a permanent remembrance of the first Poles' "sacrifices, contributions, and successes in New Zealand communities to date". 

Photographs courtesy of Joel Wallan Creative and Małgorzata Kwiatkowska