Tania Kopytko, WWII displaced persons, Part 2 - Manawatu Conversations

Description: Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 4th June 2024. Continues from Part 1 interview about displaced European people from World War II and a developing project called “Untold Stories – World War II Displaced Persons Who Settled in Palmerston North” Tania explains how she got involved with writing the history of displaced people. Many migrants married Kiwis. Marriages didn’t always work out. Tania’s father was a tailor but it was a dying trade and he eventually became a postman and postal sorter. Migrants experienced some prejudice in New Zealand. The fact that some people were Jewish was not widely publicised. The project Tania is working on will result in a book, an exhibition and workshops with final results filed with Palmerston North archives. Migrants were skilled and placed in jobs for two years with strict controls on their movements. Changes had to be approved. Many migrants suffered mental trauma which was covered up. It is important that their stories are told in New Zealand. Immigrants changed New Zealand food style. The multi cultural society celebrates in Palmerston North with Festival of Cultures.