maori in war

Māori War Effort Organisation

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  The Maori War Effort Organisation was formed during the Second World War to assist with recruitment for the forces and war-related service.

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• Page 2 – Origins

  Assisted by two other Ratana-Labour MPs, Eruera Tirikatene and H.T. Ratana, Paraire Paikea drafted a scheme for an organisation to handle Maori recruitment and war-related

• Page 3 – Difficult times

  When the Maori War Effort Organisation was established, the government had estimated that it would have a six-month life at a cost of £7,000. In 1943 Paikea asked that

Māori and the First World War

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  Māori reactions to serving in the First World War largely reflected iwi experiences of British actions in the 19th century.

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• Page 2 – White man's war?

  Imperial policy initially doubted the wisdom of 'native' troops fighting a 'white man's war'.

• Page 3 – Māori objection to conscription

  Māori served in the First World War in the Maori Contingent. At home, some Māori strongly opposed conscription.

• Page 4 – Further information

  Books and links relating to Māori in New Zealand during the First World War.

Conscientious objection and dissent

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  There are always supporters and opponents of a country fighting a war. Over 2500 conscientious objectors lost their civil rights in New Zealand for refusing to serve in the First World War.

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• Page 1 - Conscientious objection and dissent in the First World WarThere are always supporters and opponents of a country fighting a war. Over 2500 conscientious objectors lost their civil rights in New Zealand for refusing to serve in the First

Māori and the Second World War

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  Despite some opposition, nearly 16,000 Māori enlisted for service during the Second World War. By 1945, 28 (Maori) Battalion had became one of New Zealand's most celebrated and decorated units. But Māori contributed to the war effort in many different ways, at home and overseas.

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• Page 2 – Response to war

  Māori leaders offered men for both home defence and overseas service, and Māori requests for their own military unit followed, although not all wanted a Māori battalion.

• Page 3 – Achievements

  The 28th (Maori) Battalion established a formidable reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest fighting forces.

• Page 4 – The home front

  Maori were active on the Home Front, involving themselves in the huge fund-raising and production efforts that New Zealanders undertook during the 1940s.

• Page 5 – Impact

  The Second World War was a significant event in terms of Māori–Pakeha relations, and the reputation of the Maori Battalion was a source of great pride to the wider New

Māori in the NZEF

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  More than 2000 Maori served in the Māori Contingent and Pioneer Battalion during the First World War

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• Page 2 – Maori Contingent at Gallipoli

  The first Maori Contingent sailed from Wellington aboard the SS Warrimoo in February 1915. The contingent served on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

• Page 3 – Pioneer Battalion

  In early 1916 the Maori Contingent ceased to exist and was replaced by the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion.

• Page 4 – On the Western Front

  The New Zealand Pioneer Battalion arrived in France in April 1916. It was the first unit of the New Zealand Division to move onto the bloody battlefield of the Somme.

• Page 5 – Further information

  Further information about Māori in the First World War.

South African 'Boer' War

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  The South African War of 1899-1902, often called the Boer War (sometimes the Second Boer War), was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops

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• Page 8 - Māori and the warMany Māori supported New Zealand's involvement in the South African War and some were keen to enlist. Although Māori were officially excluded from service in South Africa, a