Students from Kuranui College recently attended a special memorial to remember the 48 Japanese prisoners and the New Zealand guard who lost their lives during a riot shooting, on 25 February 1943, at Featherston’s military camp.

The students had the chance to witness the wreath laying, as well as listen to the stories that were told about the time 800 Japanese prisoners of war (POW) were living at the camp during the Second World War.

The riot broke out because some of the Japanese prisoners refused to work, given that capture in itself was enough humiliation for some of these men. News of the riot was kept relatively quiet as a result of war-time censorship as there were fears that the Japanese might retaliate against Allied POWs in Japanese camps.

An inquiry into the riot pointed out that a clash of cultures was made worse by the language barrier. The Japanese seemed unaware of the terms of the 1929 Prisoners of War Convention that stated that compulsory work for POWs was permitted. The camp only had a fragmentary translation of the terms available to the prisoners.

The inquiry report also claimed that the camp guards acted in self-defence when charged by a crowd of 250 prisoners throwing rocks, and also noted the shooting was soon over, within 20 seconds.

Every year, dignitaries including the Japanese Ambassador, visit the Featherston Memorial Garden to commemorate the incident which is now seen as an event that brings the two countries together.

“It’s such an honor to be part of something that is so important to our South Wairarapa history” said Kuranui’s Femke van Steensel.

Students also had an opportunity to get a better understanding of the event, as they are hoping to use the Japanese story for their Showquest entry this year.

Florence Cater, who is one of the organisers of the combined drama and dance performance, strongly stated that it was time people knew what happened. “It’s an event that must not be forgotten,” she said.

Students at Kuranui College are working hard to make this performance both heartwarming and a one to remember.

Written by Nina Gelashvili. Article added: Monday 09 March 2020