Five days after its arrival in Wellington Harbour, the four-masted barque Pamir was seized in prize by the New Zealand government, which regarded Finland as a ‘territory in enemy occupation’ (Finland had joined Nazi Germany’s invasion of their mutual enemy, the Soviet Union, but was not formally a member of the Axis powers). ‘Pamir’ was seized as prize by the Collector of Customs (Mr R. J. Gray) on 3rd August, 1941. Notice was served on Captain Bjorkfelt at 4.45pm that afternoon. The Pamir remains the only ‘enemy’ vessel ever to be seized by New Zealand and, as such, has immense historical significance.