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Peace in Europe
This Weekly Review from May 1944 reflects on New Zealand's part in the Second World War at the time of Victory in Europe.
NZ celebrates Victory in Europe
Germany surrendered on 7 May, New Zealand time, but acting Prime Minister Walter Nash insisted that celebrations should wait until Winston Churchill officially announced peace − at 1 a.m. on 9 May New Zealand time.
VE Day
Germany surrendered in the early afternoon of 7 May 1945, New Zealand time. The news became known the next morning, with huge headlines in the morning papers. But the acting prime minister, Walter Nash, insisted that celebrations should wait until British Prime Minister Winston Churchill officially announced the peace, which would not be heard in New Zealand until 1 a.m. on 9 May.
Sound: VE Day parade in Dunedin
Hear the broadcast from the VE Day parade in Dunedin.
Sound: Mayor of Dunedin's VE Day speech
Victory in Europe speech by the Mayor of Dunedin
Woman on street on VE Day
Woman and children at the VE Day celebrations, Perretts Corner, Wellington, 1945
VE Day crowds at Parliament
Crowds at the official VE Day celebrations, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, 1945
New Zealand seamen celebrate VE Day
New Zealand seamen celebrate victory in London in 1945. They are some of the 4700 New Zealanders who were attached to the Royal Navy on D-Day. Many of them were on board the ships that carried the invasion force to Normandy and supported it with naval gunfire.
VE Day celebrations at Parliament
Crowds gather in front of Parliament Buildings in Wellington to celebrate Victory in Europe.
VE and VJ days
After over five years of rationing and anxiety about loved ones overseas, New Zealanders greeted the coming of peace in Europe in May 1945, and then victory over Japan in August, with understandable relief and enthusiasm.
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