During the Second World War people of German, Italian and Japanese descent were interned on Matiu (Somes Island) in Wellington Harbour. As German internee Charles Klinginstein explains, conditions at first were tough. However, in the last years of the war things improved and the internees were able to grow vegetables and earn pocket money by making small objects for sale. The man shown here is making pāua-shell jewellery.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Charles Klingenstein interview/Reference number T4974)