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Kōrero: Poles

President of Wellington’s Polish community, 1986

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President of Wellington’s Polish community, 1986

In 1948 the Polish Association was formed in Wellington. An important aim was to fight for Polish independence, so that Poles in New Zealand could return home. Members also kept the culture alive and performed charitable works. The association remained a feature of Wellington life for the rest of the 20th century. The group’s president in 1986 was Joe Mendruń, seen here outside their premises.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PA-Group-00685)

Reference: EP/1986/5843-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Theresa Sawicka, Poles – 20th-century arrivals, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/1159/president-of-wellingtons-polish-community-1986 (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Theresa Sawicka, i tāngia i te 4 March 2009, updated 1 July 2024.