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Kōrero: Second World War

VJ Day

Video file

News of Japan's surrender following the dropping of two atom bombs was received in New Zealand at 11 a.m. on 15 August 1945. Sirens sounded immediately, and before long streamers were unfurled, and there were bands playing and people dancing in the streets. This film records some of the celebrations in Wellington and Auckland on that day.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Reference: Weekly Review 208. National Film Unit, 1945

Permission of Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga must be obtained before any re-use of this material.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Ian McGibbon, Second World War – Final victory, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/video/34590/vj-day (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Ian McGibbon, i tāngia i te 17 April 2012, updated 1 May 2016.