The Arduous Journey of the Polish Refugee Children

The idea of accepting Polish refugees arose on June 9th 1943 when the US Transport Ship, Hermitage, was carrying 706 Polish refugees from Iran to Mexico. The Hermitage was anchored for a short time in Wellington. Taking these moments in stride, the wife of Polish Consul, Maria Wodzicka, brought up the idea of sheltering Polish orphans in Aotearoa New Zealand to Prime Minister Peter Fraser and his wife Janet Fraser. 

Peter and Janet Fraser opened Aotearoa New Zealand to 733 orphaned Polish refugee children and 105 staff members. 

This was the first step for the Polish refugee children that would ultimately lead them to their safety in Pahiatua, Lower Hutt. 

The former Polish children refugees tell their stories

These stories are mostly about the lives of the Polish children refugees in New Zealand. Before arriving here, they had spent five years in exile from their homeland on a horrendous journey during the turbulent years of World War II. They were deported from Poland during the early months of the war to forced-labour camps throughout Soviet Russia for two-and-a-half years, then evacuated to Iran for another two-and-a-half years before they finally reached New Zealand.

The General Randall arrived at the shores of Wellington harbour, much to the relief of the Polish refugees onboard the vessel. Peter Fraser welcomed the refugees along with the Red Cross. 

Countess Maria Wodzicka joined the “Polish Children’s Hospitality Committee” She devoted much of her time into the committee and while advising and directing its operations. 

It was not so much a deliberate immigration policy, but rather a humanitarian vision by Prime Minister Peter Fraser when he learnt of the Polish children's plight when they were in the temporary refugee camps in Iran. These letters reveal that he and his government always regarded the children as their guests.

The first letter is dated almost a year before the children's arrival and the second was written five years later in the year before the camp's closure. The New Zealand Government had no precedent to follow other than its willingness to give it a go.

A letter addressed to Count Wodzicki, Polish Consul, from Prime Minister Peter Fraser:

To Count Wodzicki, Polish Consul to New Zealand

28 December 1943

My dear Count Wodzicki,

With reference to our discussion concerning the reception of the Polish refugee children in New Zealand and the meeting held in my office on Tuesday, 14 December, I have to inform you that the New Zealand Government would be very willing to afford hospitality in New Zealand to a total number of persons, including staff, of say 500 or 700, whichever number your government considered more convenient.

Our whole conception of the scheme is that it should cater for the largest number of children and would, therefore, wish that as many children as possible should be included within the total number who might come to New Zealand. We recognise, of course, that it is essential that sufficient staff should accompany the children, and we would be willing, if the Polish Government so desired, to receive, within the total number of 500 to 700, a number of mothers of the children.

The New Zealand Government would make all arrangements in connection with the establishment of the camp and would provide all necessary capital equipment, such as beds, bedding, furniture, kitchenware, etc. Responsibility for maintenance costs, such as food and clothing, would also be accepted by the New Zealand Government subject to discussion on questions of detail with whatever authority may be nominated by your government.

Fraser corresponded with numerous individuals from the Polish government to solidify his decision to bring the Polish refugee children into New Zealand. 

Peter Fraser, Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1940 to 1949. He believed that the loss of children Poland suffered was New Zealand's gain. He wrote: "With myself, the interests of the children have been the paramount and decisive consideration"

A short train ride from Wellington city to Pahiatua provided fresh views of Wellington through the windows of the train's windows. 

The Polish children were farewelled from Wellington Railway Station by hundreds of Wellington school children waving New Zealand and Polish flags. There were also big welcomes at Palmerston North and Pahiatua, and all along the way there were groups of children waving to the arrivals. In a gesture of further goodwill, some of those children were driven to other railway stations to cheer on the refugees again.

Outside, local Wellingtonian children waved and shouted warm greetings to their new Polish neighbors. 

Confections and cakes were gifted to the children. Many were not able to have sweets for a longer period of time and were queasy. The queasiness did not interfere with their excitement to be on a train, and enroute to their new home. 

Finally, army jeeps covered by tarp took the Polish children to the camp in Pahiatua that would come to be known as "Little Poland." 

Thirty-three army trucks transported the arrivals from Pahiatua station to the old internment camp whose official name was now the Polish Children's Camp in Pahiatua. At last they had a new home. The long journey was over.