VE Day celebrations at Parliament

Crowds gather in front of Parliament Buildings in Wellington to celebrate victory in Europe.

News of Germany's surrender reached New Zealand in time for the morning papers on 8 May 1945. Informal celebrations began at once, after Winston Churchill's radio announcement of victory, broadcast at 1 a.m., even though 9 May was declared the official VE Day in New Zealand. A national ceremony took place in front of Government Buildings, and in the afternoon, a Returned and Services' Association parade marched to the Basin Reserve where huge crowds had gathered.