In 1918 an influenza pandemic swept the world.   A previously unknown form of influenza A arose, probably in the United States , and swept throughout most of the world.   It is estimated that over 25 million people died worldwide, with over 15 million victims in India alone.   Some researchers believe that the deaths may have numbered as much as 100 million.

The first cases in New Zealand were recorded in Auckland in early October.   Many people believe that a returning troop ship, the Niagara , which also carried the Prime Minister, was responsible for introducing the pandemic to New Zealand but it is now thought certain that returning soldiers had already introduced the disease.

The first recorded cases of influenza in Wairarapa occurred at the Featherston Military Camp.   In early November the local newspapers were stating that the flu had struck the camp and 299 men had been hospitalised.   The camp housed thousands of soldiers in training and the disease spread very quickly.   By the middle of the month over 2000 men were being treated in the hospital and 22 had already died.

The first Masterton deaths were reported on the newspapers of 13 November.   Mastertonians had gathered in the streets to celebrate the end of World War One, little realizing that some of them were already infected with the disease.   Some of the crowd collapsed at the ceremonies held in Masterton Park and were rushed to Masterton Hospital .

As the disease started to spread through the community the Government issued guidelines to help control it.   All those infected were to be kept in strict isolation and all material used to treat patients was to be burnt.   Those treating patients were told to be very careful with their own hygiene and to gargle daily with disinfectant.   Inhalation chambers were established in most sizable towns and citizens were encourage to visit them daily.   They were also encouraged to disinfect their houses.

Most of the deaths in the 1918 outbreak resulted from secondary infections in the lungs.   As antibiotics had not been discovered there was no effective treatment for the infection.   Patients were urged to remain in bed and to take lots of fluids.   Drugs were prescribed to reduce the fever associated with the infection, usually the relatively newly-discovered aspirin.    Many patients skin became dark as the infection progressed, a sign that they were receiving insufficient oxygen through their lungs.   This cyanosis lead to one of   the common names for the pandemic, ‘Black Plague'.   These patients were treated with oxygen.

At the height of the Wairarapa pandemic the Masterton Hospital was swamped with patients.   Nurses and doctors had contracted the disease and volunteer nurses and helpers were called for.   Temporary hospitals were set up in many buildings through Wairarapa - in schools, clubs, and in the Masterton Borough Council Chambers.   All schools were closed down until the following year and most businesses were instructed to remain shut.   The infections peaked about   22 November and, although more deaths occurred, fewer fresh cases were reported into December.   By the end of December the pandemic was effectively over in Wairarapa.  

Figures for Wairarapa show that 400 people died, including 177 soldiers at Featherston Camp.   There were 10.1 deaths for every 1000 head of population, figures greatly enhanced by the 22.6 per 1000 death rate at the Featherston Camp, and the 45.7 per 1000 death rate among Wairarapa Maori.

During November and December 88 people were buried in Masterton Cemetery .   The average number of burials for these two months in the previous three years was 12.   Discounting four stillbirths, the average age of those who died during the period was 40.   Men were more likely to die, with 68% or burials being male.   Nationally male deaths comprised 64% of the total.

Among those to die locally were prominent farmer Rupert Morrison, army captain Leonard Potton and soldier's widow Mrs Nicholas.   In Greytown prominent Maori leader Iraia Te Whaiti also died.

After the influenza had passed, thought was given to prevention of a further pandemic.   Many thought that poor housing conditions had led to the outbreak and many councils started programmes to tighten regulations.

The memory of the pandemic remained strong in the community.   All of those who lived through November and December 1918 recalled the events with great clarity.   It came to be remembered as a “terrible epidemic.”   The influenza pandemic is a strong highlight in a series of interviews gathered as part of the Wairarapa Archive's Oral History programme.