Parcel-packing mommas! - video
This video shows a dedicated group of Wellington Red Cross volunteers packing parcels to send to prisoners of war (POWs) in 1945. They could pack seven parcels a minute!
Even Eleanor Roosevelt was impressed by the speed and dedication of the ladies. She came to New Zealand on an official visit between 28 August and 3 September as an ambassador for the American Red Cross.
As part of her trip she visited the parcel-packing mommas. Mrs Roosevelt is reported to have said "that the speed with which the packing was being carried out was phenomenal, and it did not seem possible that 1,600 parcels plus other packing, such as tea, sugar and peas, could be accomplished in the time the volunteer workers allotted to themselves”.