the wellington dispatch, ii

the wellington dispatch, i

well, that's wellington for you

heavy showers and strong westerlies [couldn't figure out where they were coming from, though. pacific? antarctica? aussie?]. stayed in most of the day.

making the journey, vi

Dear husband

we have had no news from you for two years
write via the Red Cross
your mother died June 1942
We are all well.
Kisses. Your wife
Elisa Manson (Lunardello)

[detail] italian wives and fiancees of New Zealand soldiers
arrive in New Zealand, 1946

making the journey, v

For many dutch children the Depression of the 1930's, and WW II changed everything. Tina Koopmans could barely get any schooling and her family life was shattered.As a young woman she met Aad Vlaar, who 'd had similar troubles. They decided to leave Holland together. New Zealand offered immigration assistance to rural workers, which they applied for. Eighteen months later they were boarding a plane with other young people on the same scheme.

They arrived in Chritchurch in a winter day in 1954. With a journey north to Wanganui, their lives as Dutch New Zealanders began.

making the journey, iv

panayiota alexiou, greek migrant, arrived in new zealand 1951

making the journey, iii

lydia slikas, migrant from lithuania

making the journey, ii

the ocean is wide. the journey is long and cramped, and you are travelling among strangers. but you are going to a new country [..], and life is about to change for ever.

what is going through your mind?

[richter-esque]

making the journey, i

rebbeca dawber, married cabin passenger