Sound Archives: Early naval visits to NZ

The US Navy has been back in New Zealand waters over the past week, for the first time in more than 30 years. The U.S.S. Sampson is here to take part in the Royal New Zealand Navy's 75th birthday celebrations, but also became involved in the Kaikoura earthquake relief effort.

In our weekly visit to the sound archives of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Sarah Johnston plays us a radio programme made by some earlier U.S. naval visitors, back in 1942.

U.S.S. Sampson off Kaikoura. Image: New Zealand Defence Force

American servicemen and unidentified women at Oriental Bay, Wellington, circa 1942. Image: National Library.

United States sailors and their partners at a dance at the Majestic Cabaret in Willis Street, Wellington, circa 1942. Image: National Library.