Anzac Websites
Maori in World War 1 Maori participation in WW1
Maori participation in WW1
Maori and the First World War (nzhistory.govt.nz) Maori were divided over whether or
not to join up to participate in World War 1. Particular reluctance
was expressed by those whose families had had land confiscated in the 1860s.
Note the links to
pages 2, 3 and 4 at the bottom of page 1.
Opposition from Maori (encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net) Details of how the Maori community was
split over serving in WW1 and the issue for the government over
enforcing conscription of Maori people.
Maori in the NZEF (encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net)
An outline of the participation of
Maori in the NZEF (New Zealand Expeditionary Force). The successful
Maori contribution as soldiers increased the acceptance of Maori by
other New Zealanders after the war.
Maori in the NZEF (nzhistory.govt.nz) A group
of Maori in the NZEF (New Zealand Expeditionary Force), called the
Maori Contingent, left New Zealand in early 1915 and fought at
Gallipoli. They were then reformed as the Pioneer Battalion and were
sent to fight at the Western Front. Note the links to
pages 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the bottom of page 1.
Henare
Kohere (nzhistory.govt.nz) Henare Kohere was a Maori farmer with
three children who arrived in France in April 1916 with the New
Zealand Pioneer Battalion. However, he died from his wounds in September1916
following a heavy artillery bombardment.
These links
take you to our other pages for information about the following
people:
Mildred
Amelia Woodbine Pomare Born Mildred Amelia Woodbine
Johnson. Also known as
Miria Tapapa, Miria
Johnson and Miria
Pomare.
Pirimi
Pererika Tahiwi
Pirimi Tahiwi, also known as Prim, was a teacher and rugby player
who joined the Maori Contingent in World War 1.
Maori Troops: Letter from Te Rangi Hiroa (Captain Peter Buck)
(firstworldwar.tki.org.nz) This letter raises a range of
matters, such as the increased respect received by Maori soldiers
from the skill and bravery they showed during the war. It is
followed by many questions for discussion.
Electronic books
The Maoris in the Great War (nzetc.victoria.ac.nz) Subtitle: A History of the New Zealand Native
Contingent and Pioneer Battalion. By James Cowan, 1926. If the above link does not work you can follow
these steps to find the document:
1. Go to
https://viewer.waireto.victoria.ac.nz/ 2. In the top row
click on Search. 3. In the search box, type: the maoris
in the great war 4. Click on The War Effort of New
Zealand 5. Click Search, then on the next page click on Full Text.
6. A new page
opens, listing links to the chapters of the book.
Teaching resources: Maori
involvement in WW1
(my.christchurchcitylibraries.com) Books and other information sources
on Maori involvement in the First World War, presented by the
Christchurch City Library. (Acknowledgment: We have
gratefully made full use of the Christchurch City Library's list in
selecting links for this page.)