Kōrero: Germans

Germans on Somes Island

Germans on Somes Island

During the First World War, Germans, along with other New Zealand residents classified as enemy aliens, were interned on Somes Island (Matiū) in Wellington Harbour. Here, they fly their flag as they plod along one of the island’s tracks. A drummer, some fiddlers and an accordionist are visible near the front of the group. Monotony was the main enemy of these men, and playing music gave them some distraction.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-75448; 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

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

James N. Bade, 'Germans - Immigration after 1914', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/558/germans-on-somes-island (accessed 25 April 2024)

He kōrero nā James N. Bade, i tāngia i te 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015