Polish Heritage of Otago and Southland Charitable Trust (POHOS)
Welcome!
Witamy!
OBITUARY: ROY-WOJCIECHOWSKI, John (Janek) Roy (MNZM), OM (Poland) passed peacefully on 23rd of August 2025, at home surrounded by family. Aged 92 years. Beloved Husband of the late Valerie Roy, Father and Father-in-law to Ellen and Anthony, Steven and Anne, Gregory and Leigh, Alexander, Karen and Aaron, Lawrence and Nikki. Grandfather to Jayde, Jasmine and Chris, the late Finlay, Jordan and Courtney, Yolanda and Billey, Bradlee, Aleesha and Jason, Joshua, Samantha and Lily. Great grandfather to Benka, Riley, Rakera and Ryatt. A celebration of John’s life will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 24 Picton Street, Howick, on Friday 29th of August at 11am. All communications to the Roy Wojciechowski family care of Resthaven Funerals PO Box 39118 Howick.
The Polish Heritage Trust of New Zealand was established in the late 1990’s by Mr. John Roy-Wojciechowski, a Pahiatua Child and former Honorary Consul to the Republic of Poland in New Zealand, to offer educational resources to the people of New Zealand about the country of his birth, Poland, its history, culture, arts and to share the stories of New Zealand’s and Poland relationship regarding the invitation to New Zealand of the ‘Children of Pahiatua’. The Polish Heritage Trust Museum opened its doors in July 2004.
John also joined the Polish community in Dunedin and helped form the Polish Heritage of Otago & Southland Charitable Trust as Founding and Board Member in 1998.
In Loving Memory of John Roy Wojciechowski (1933–2025) we extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of a man whose life was marked by quiet strength, deep devotion, and enduring service. Born in 1933, John lived through times of great change, always guided by integrity and compassion. He was a beloved husband to Valerie, a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a respected figure in both New Zealand and Poland. His legacy bridges generations and nations — a testament to a life lived with purpose and grace. May his memory be a source of comfort and pride to his family and all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Book Launched – Poles Down South
Many Years of Dedicated Research came to fruition on Saturday, 18th November 2023, with the launch of Paul Klemick’s book
“Poles Down South”.
A Story of Early Polish Settlers In Otago & Southland.
The following launches were held
2 March 2024 at the residence of Jim Binnie of 24 Caernarvon Street, Allanton (old Switalla cottage) at 1pm (Przynieś talerz)
12 March 2024 at the Oamaru Public Library at 6pm
5 August 2024 at the Invercargill Public Library at 2pm
More launches to follow and will let you know soon
This limited edition is now available on-line purchase
and at Papers Plus in the Dunedin Meridian
For a reprint edition, please leave your contact details below
click for more info and contact for future reprint online purchase
Polish Heritage of Otago and Southland Charitable Trust (POHOS)
Who We Are
Joining the Polish Heritage of Otago and Southland Charitable Trust (POHOS) means that you become part of a community of early Polish settlers, more recent Polish immigrants, and a network of citizens primarily in Otago and Southland – brought together through a shared curiosity and passion for Polish language, culture, ethnicity and family heritage.
The Polish Trust offers enjoyable opportunities to discover, learn about and, support the Trust’s events and undertakings.
Our events provide welcoming places – locally and occasionally nationally – to hear excellent lectures, participate in events including special church services and Christmas celebrations, assist in the fostering and encouragement of Polish customs, revisit your Polish heritage and share with like minds, while exchanging your ideas and knowledge about local and national kinships alongside the efforts and goals of the Polish Heritage Trust.
Our Trust was formed in 1998 at the time when Otago was celebrating 150 years of existence and when little was known, in New Zealand, of the early Polish pioneers. It was with the coming together, at that time, of recent immigrants and the descendants of those early settlers of 1872 that brought about the beginnings of the Polish Heritage of Otago and Southland Charitable Trust. Our aims then, as they are today, were to bring to the people of Dunedin and New Zealand awareness of our heritage and in the longer term to extend that awareness to the peoples of Poland.
Spoken Polish
If you would like to hear the Polish names and text spoken in Polish then we can help.
Firstly click on this link "Text to Polish" and then copy the text you wish to hear, and paste it into the translation box. You can either listen to it or have it download onto your machine.
Enjoy !!
Paul Klemick, QSM
This website is due almost entirely to years of dedication by Paul Klemick in researching and documenting the story of Polish settlement in New Zealand, and particularly in the Otago Southland area.
Chairperson ..... Ewa Rożecka Pollard
Phone ......+64 3 477 5552
Secretary ..... Anna McCreath Munro
Phone ..... 021 127 4974
Facebook ..... Poles Down South
Contact Poles Down South
Poles in New Zealand We would like to hear from Poles or people with any Polish connection, who visited New Zealand and particularly those of you who paid a visit or lived anywhere in Otago or Southland.
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Polski “Poles Down South” jest stroną internetową organizacji polonijnej w Nowej Zelandii działającej w rejonie Otago i Southland na Wyspie Południowej. Siedzibą organizacji jest Dunedin.