Story: 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.

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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.

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How to cite this page:

James N. Bade, 'Germans - Immigration after 1914', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/558/germans-on-somes-island (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by James N. Bade, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Mar 2015