Trunk

Shipping out

The Ruocco family packed this trunk in Capri near Naples in 1938 then weeks later unloaded it from a ship in Wellington, New Zealand. The trunk accompanied Immacolatina (Ilma) and her two children - Luigi Salvatore aged 13 and Teresa who was 4 years old. The trio followed husband and father Luigi Ruocco who had been living in Island Bay, Wellington, since 1926.

The truck is a unique and important representation of the history of the Italian community as well as the Ruocco family's journey to New Zealand.  Printed markings and stickers document the place of departure - Napoli, stop off points such as Sydney and the final destination of Wellington, New Zealand.

Necessity or choice?

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, economic necessity – no work and no prospects – drove Italians from the land and people they loved, to seek a better life. In Capri, Luigi Ruocco was a fisherman but he longed for a job rowing tourists to the Blue Grotto. Unfortunately there was a long waiting list for this work and so Luigi decided to leave in search of other opportunities in New Zealand. 

Ilma was not keen to migrate at first, and took some convincing - 12 years! Eventually, she agreed to come and then stayed in New Zealand for the rest of her life.

The trunk became an important memento of the family's origin and cultural heritage. Ilma kept the trunk, bringing it with her when she went to live with daughter Teresa and her husband Antonio Cuccurullo.

New Zealand Life

Life in Island Bay was not always easy. As a fisherman Luigi was used to fishing the calm predictable waters of the Mediterranan. Cook Strait was entirely different – strong tides, buffeting winds, southerly changes and rough seas.

Luigi and Ilma compensated for the absence of the Italian foods they loved by developing a lovely vegetable garden, growing tomatoes and making their own homemade mozzarella cheese.

Luigi fished from various fishing boats but in 1948 he built his own boat and called it San Costanzo after the patron saint of Capri. His son Salvatore joined him and in later years Salvatore’s sons came on board too.

Fishing was hard work, in difficult times such as during the Depression, sales were not easy and prices low. The Second World War also had an impact. It was a time when some Italians were interned on Somes Island by the Government, classifying them as enemy aliens. Fishermen remained free to do their work but their movements were monitored and Luigi’s radio was sealed so that it couldn’t be used to transmit.

The radio was kept in a small shed at the back of the property along with nets and buoys. Like many other Italian fishermen Luigi made his own nets and wove the cane crayfish pots in his back yard.

Luigi had a beautiful voice and used to sing along with the other Italian men who would celebrate the Christmas and New Year’s eve festivities by going from house singing favourite old Italian songs. Salvatore would tell his family the story of his father serenading a swimmer as she attempted to swim Cook Strait.

Luigi retired in 1970, leaving his son and grandsons to continue fishing. He and Immacolatina were fervent Catholics with Immacoltina going to mass every morning. She had small lamps which were lit each day in front of the many statues and pictures of saints she loved along with small vases of fresh flowers.

It became a family tradition to congregate at Ilma and Luigi's house for breakfast after Sunday morning Mass. Everyone would have latte e caffe (espresso coffee and warm milk) with biscotti. Sometimes the grandchildren would play the Italian card game scopa with their grandfather.

Luigi died in 1976 and Immacolatina in 1993. They both kept close contact with family back in Capri and the island always remained in their hearts.