Three separate radio broadcasts from Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to New Zealand, 27-29 August 1943.
27/8/1943, 3.10pm. Live broadcast from the arrival of Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt in Auckland, broadcast by station 1YA.
An unidentified male announcer introduces the broadcast and describes those present as including the His Excellency the Governor General Sir Cyril Newall; the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Peter Fraser; the Minister of Finance the Honourable Mr Nash and Mr R.E. Cox of the American Consulate. Mr Nash introduces Mrs Roosevelt who speaks briefly about how pleased she is to be in New Zealand. She mentions her interest in seeing the work of the women of New Zealand and especially thanks the women for welcoming American "boys" into their homes and taking care of them. Recordings of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Save the King" end the broadcast.
28/8/1943. An unidentified male announcer from station 2YA introduces the broadcast of the State Reception for Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt from the social hall of Parliament Buildings in Wellington.
The broadcast begins with a speech by the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Peter Fraser. He pays tribute to Mrs Roosevelt's husband and his generous "Lend Lease" scheme supporting Britain in the war effort, and expresses his hope that Mr Roosevelt will still be in power in the United States at the war's end.
He also welcomes Mrs Roosevelt for her own work, mentioning the New Deal and her work with the under-privileged and down-trodden before the war. He mentions Mrs Roosevelt's efforts for women generally and calls her "a friend of progress." Three cheers are given for Mrs Roosevelt.
Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt replies at the State Reception, Wellington. She mentions travelling to New Zealand via visits to Pacific islands which the Americans are now holding. She describes recently meeting Winston Churchill, and describes him as "the greatest fighting Prime Minister fo Great Britain." She speaks about the kindness New Zealanders have shown to her countrymen stationed in New Zealand.
She speaks about the work required to ensure peace is maintained after the war's end and hopes the United States and New Zealand will continue to work together then. She speaks of her admiration for Britain and the British people after Dunkirk, and the establishment of the United Nations: "I know we're going to win the war, but this time, let us win the peace." The American and British (also New Zealand) national anthems end the broadcast. The announcer ends the broadcast and notes Mrs Roosevelt is dressed in the uniform of the American Red Cross.
29/8/1943, 8.30 pm. An unidentified 2YA announcer introduces a broadcast from the reception for Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt at the Majestic Theatre, Wellington. This gathering is to address the women of New Zealand and thousands of women are in attendance.
Mrs Roosevelt is welcomed and introduced by Mrs Janet Fraser (wife of Prime Minister Peter Fraser). She notes this is only Mrs Roosevelt's second overseas trip as First Lady, following her visit to Britain in 1942.
Mrs Roosevelt thanks all the New Zealanders who have sent her letters, telegrams and flowers of welcome.She talks about the similarities between New Zealand and the United States landscape and describes a visit to Canada. She talks of dining with Mrs Churchill and describes the war work of her daughters. Mrs Roosevelt pays tribute to the war work of New Zealand's women.
She speaks of the need to ensure the world does not fall into war again, and suggests the people of the world must be more articulate and not just leave it to the world's leaders to make the peace. She calls for progressive and economic building to preserve a post-war peace.
She talks about the need for industry and peacetime production to work together with agriculture and both men and women needing to play their part. She also talks about the importance of developing nations and says for the first time, citizens of all nations must take a role in the future of the world.