Maori Contribution to Historical War Efforts

Members of the Boer War Maori Unit

The Boer War: Even before the outbreak of the war, many Maori were eager to contribute to the imperial cause in South Africa. After failure of the Jameson raid, as well as the Anglo-German crisis in 1896, Te Arawa, a Maori leader, offered to raise a guerrilla unit for service there. Despite their eager response to joining the effort, there was some resistance to the non-white Maori joining a "white peoples'" war. 

Recruitment Cartoon during the Second World War

Maori and the First World War:  Maori had mixed views about the First World War. Some supported the war effort and rushed to join up and more than 2000 Maori would served in the Native Contingent and Pioneer Battalion (later the Maori Pioneer Battalion). Others opposed the war as they did not want to fight for the British Crown, which was seen to have had negative effects on Maori communities in the 19th century. The varied reactions reflected Kiwi experiences of British actions in the previous century.

Maori and the Second World War:When the Second World War began, some Maori opposition to participation remained. One concern was the ability of Maori to maintain a combat force, given the size of their population.  However, by the time the Second World War ended in 1945 the 28th (Maori) Battalion had become one of the most decorated units in the New Zealand forces. The most important achievement was the Victoria Cross won by Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu in 1943. In the end, nearly 16,000 Maori enlisted for service during the Second World War.