Skip to main content

Story: Refugees

Hyman Marks, a Jewish refugee from Poland

Image
Hyman Marks, a Jewish refugee from Poland

Some of the Jews who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century were escaping persecution in Russia and Poland (part of which was then under Russian rule). Hyman Marks, a Polish Jew who arrived in 1861, was a major benefactor of Christchurch Hospital. His bust still stands in the hospital’s foyer.

Using this item

John Wilson

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Ann Beaglehole, Refugees – 1870s–1940s: refugee groups, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/3864/hyman-marks-a-jewish-refugee-from-poland (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ann Beaglehole, published 4 March 2009.