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New Zealand and the First World War

World War 1 saw Kiwis fighting in campaigns like Gallipoli, and the Somme. Explore New Zealand’s role in this war, including battles, the home front, causalities, heroes, memorials, conscientious objectors and the ANZAC legend. SCIS no. 1808397

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Great war stories - Mark Briggs

Great war stories - Mark Briggs

This slot in TV3’s Great War Stories series looks at Kiwi conscientious objector Mark Briggs. In World War I imprisonment faced those who objected to doing their bit for King and country on moral g...

Armistice ceremony notice

Armistice ceremony notice

When news arrived that the armistice had been signed on 11 November 1918, some New Zealand soldiers on the Western Front reacted with little enthusiasm - many thought it just another rumour. In New...

The Trooper’s farewell

The Trooper’s farewell

'The Trooper's Farewell' (1914) - Words by W. W. Boyes, music by Frank Wolfgang. Performed by Alexandra Foster and Lachlan Craig with Rosemary Barnes (piano).

NZ hospital ship Maheno

NZ hospital ship Maheno

Shows two-funnelled ship with masts at each end, and red crosses painted along the side, on funnels and on flag. Gives information below: Length, 400 ft, breadth 50ft 2". Captain D McLean. One ope...

Shows an abandoned German tank stuck in a depression or trench. It has two German crosses on it and the Roman numeral IV, and has the word Hagen at its left end. The title is probably a play on the...

First World War in maps

Private E.J. Maddams describes some of the scenes at the Somme, in a letter to his family.

Military Service Act announcement

Military Service Act announcement

Text announcing requirement to enrol, and the consequences of failure to do so. Employers were forbidden to employ those who had not enrolled; nor were they permitted to employ deserters. Other Ti...

Cartoon referring to the centenary of the Allies landing at Gallipoli.

New Zealand troops in the trenches.

New Zealand troops in the trenches.

Two New Zealand soldiers shown leaning over a trench wall in the Messines Sector during World War I. One is taking sights with his rifle. Photograph taken May 1917 by Henry Armytage Sanders. Inscri...

First World War Postcards including embroidered

First World War Postcards including embroidered

"Embroidered silk postcards, expressing sentiments are distinctive tokens of World War I. The tradition of postcards, inserted with embroidered flowers on silk, predates World War I. During the con...

This Poppy needs you

This Poppy needs you

An elderly man holds out an ANZAC Day poppy. He has a tray of poppies in his other hand, with "Lest we forget" printed on the side. Behind him is the famous World War I recruiting poster featuring ...

Engineers resting in a large shell hole

Engineers resting in a large shell hole

World War I New Zealand Engineers resting in a large shell hole at Spree Farm, Ypres Salient, 12 October 1917. Photograph taken by Henry Armytage Sanders. Inscriptions: Inscribed - Photographer's t...

1916: Armentières and the Battle of the Somme

Contains information about the Battle of Somme.

No 3 General Hospital, Wiltshire, England

No 3 General Hospital, Wiltshire, England

Photograph of the interior of a ward at No.3 New Zealand General Hospital, Coford, Wiltshire, 1917 sent as a postcard by one of the patients pictured. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w o...

First World War: impact of the war

Of the First World War’s many consequences for New Zealand, the human cost was the most traumatic. Among the dominions of the British Empire, New Zealand had the highest percentage (5%) of its mili...

Featherston Military Camp

Featherston Military Camp

In January 1916 the biggest army training camp in New Zealand opened in Featherston. The camp occupied the land on both sides of the main road between Featherston and Tauherenikau. In 1916 the camp...

NZ soldiers around a billy

NZ soldiers around a billy

New Zealand soldiers in a strong post, near Mailly-Maillet, France, during World War I. Shows men grouped around a steaming billy and one alongside a Lewis gun that is ready for immediate action. P...

Doctors & nurses in WWI

Doctors & nurses in WWI

A selection of images and newspapers articles about New Zealand doctors and nurses who served in the First World War. All of this content is open and reusable for digital storytelling.

New Zealanders board ship to return home

New Zealanders board ship to return home

New Zealand soldiers boarding ship to return home.

Unidentified Maori soldier in military uniform

Unidentified Maori soldier in military uniform

Unidentified soldier in military uniform with his kit and rifle photographed by an unknown photographer Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

German prisoners captured by New Zealand soldiers

German prisoners captured by New Zealand soldiers

A column of German prisoners captured by New Zealanders during the second Somme offensive walking down a road near Louvencourt. Photograph taken 31 March 1918 by Henry Armytage Sanders. Inscription...

First World War – origins of the war

As part of the British Empire, New Zealand was formally involved in the First World War (often referred to as the Great War) by the declaration of war on Germany by King George V on 4 August 1914.

New Zealand: The First World War

New Zealand: The First World War

This video focuses on New Zealand's involvement in the First World War.

To my dear wife from your loving husband.

To my dear wife from your loving husband.

Embroidered message on recto: "To my dear wife from your loving husband" in pinks, greens, yellows and blues, with a garland of flowers Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Hand-embroidere...

First World War diary

First World War diary

John Duncan McLeod starts his diary with details on his enlistment at Rockhampton on 4 Jan 1915. He also includes his thoughts on the men enlisting and meditates on how "many of us, no doubt, not c...

A bakshee. Blighty at last!

A bakshee. Blighty at last!

An English soldier in the trenches in France, with a battle ranging beyond him. He has just received a flesh wound in the buttocks and is looking delighted because he can now be invalided out to En...

It's first anniversary. Can we ever forget it?

It's first anniversary. Can we ever forget it?

Shows two women wearing helmets, swords and togas (Australia and New Zealand). They have their arms around each other and one of them (New Zealand) is placing a wreath on an ANZAC memorial. Refers ...

The spirit of his fathers

The spirit of his fathers

Shows a cartoon relating to Maori soldiers in the First World War. A Maori soldier charges two Turkish soldiers with a bayonet. The ghost of a Maori warrior wielding a patu rears behind him. Quant...

Come on. I'm taking a photograph

The cartoon is in five frames, the fifth being an actual photograph of soldiers at Trentham in 1917. In the photograph the soldiers are jokingly pretending that they are wounded. The four preceding...

Treatment of German prisoners by New Zealand soldiers

Extract: "Some prisoners recently taken by New Zealand troops were singularly depressed, and shrank from all manifestations of kindliness on the part of their captors, especially refusing cigarette...

Group portrait of the first nurses to leave for the First World War

Group portrait of the first nurses to leave for the First World War

Group portrait of the first 69 nurses and 11 staff to leave for World War I. Taken on the steps of the General Assembly Library, Wellington, by an unidentified photographer for The Press newspaper ...

Troopship departing New Zealand

Troopship departing New Zealand

Packed troop ship departing NZ during the First World War

Full marching kit painting

New Zealand soldier with marching equipment

Full marching kit, Corporal J.W. Cahill ARTIST: George Edmund Butler MEDIUM/SUPPORT: Oils DIMENSIONS: 540 x 340mm Dated 16 October 1918 Archives New Zealand Reference: AAAC 898 NCWA 496

Hell', by Georges Leroux

Hell', by Georges Leroux

Painting by French artist Georges Leroux depicting a First World battlefield.

Poster, 'And they thought we couldn't fight'

Poster, 'And they thought we couldn't fight'

Advertising the Victory Liberty Loan This First World War loan poster, which features a tattered and wounded yet smiling soldier carrying a rifle and souvenired German helmets, was created by the U...

The Empire Needs Men!

The Empire Needs Men!

The imagery and text of this British First World War poster indicate a parent-child relationship between Britain and its dominions. Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand are the 'Young Lions’ he...

Ballot box from 1916

Ballot box from 1916

The original wooden drum used to draw names for the First World War conscription ballots

Conveying sympathy

Conveying sympathy

Condolence letter written during the First World War

Conscription, conscientious objection and pacifism: Conscientious objection

Objecting to conscription First World War When conscription was introduced in 1916 the views of conscientious objectors –people who refused military service on political, religious or philosophical...

A gallery of images of books related to First World War.

New Zealanders in the First World War

A guide to information about the men and women who served during the First World War.

Passchendaele society

Website dedicated to the battle of Passchendaele.

The First World War inquiry guides and resources

These resources are designed to meet achievement objectives across The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.Suitable for years 1 to 13 New Zealand students

WW1 through place names

The stories behind New Zealand’s First World War place names.

International Encyclopedia of the First World War

Contains everything you need to know about First World War.

New Zealand at war timeline

Contains a timeline showing New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War.

Information about the role of the Red Cross during the First World War.

First World War resource guide for schools

Online First World War and WW100 commemoration resources you can use in school.

The First World War and New Zealand’s involvement

Contains information about New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War.

New Zealand military nursing

This web site has been established to recognise the nurses of our military force, past and present.

Weird weapons and equipment of WWI

The First World War saw modern weaponry used on a immense scale.

WW1 planes & blimps

A gallery of images related to military aviation in the First World War.

The First World War

Images from or about the First World War.

War art Online brings together a diverse collection of about 1,500 artworks covering major conflicts from the First world War onwards.

100 Years of Anzac uniforms

A special video showcasing 100 years of Anzac uniforms from Gallipoli to the modern day.

Online cenotaph

Auckland War Memorial Museum’s cenotaph database allows you to search for information about New Zealand men and women who served during the First World War.

War and campaign medals awarded to New Zealanders

Provides information about the medals awarded to New Zealand First World War soldiers.

New Zealand soldiers’ war stories

Real war stories of our Kiwi soldiers as they served New Zealand around the world, including both world wars.

The Gallipoli campaign (1915)

Animated video about the Gallipoli campaign.

Postcard of Sling Camp

Postcard of Sling Camp

Postcard of Sling Camp, often seen as “a harsh, remorseless, soulless military system.” One New Zealand soldier recorded in his diary that: “No! I’ll never get to like this place.”

Christmas greetings from NZ

Christmas greetings from NZ

New Zealand troops found themselves spending Christmas 1914 in Egypt. They had left New Zealand expecting to sail to Europe, but were diverted to Egypt after Turkey joined the war on the side of Ge...

Patriotic tableau by school students

Patriotic tableau by school students

Prior to 1914 children were seldom taught about war. For years however they felt its effects as their fathers, brothers and even older sisters left for the front. Patriotism was encouraged. Childre...

Burial of Sapper J F Haynes

Burial of Sapper J F Haynes

Sapper J F Haynes died when the hut he was sleeping in was destroyed by shellfire and burst into flames. Badly wounded Haynes was rescued by Company-Sergeant-Major Woodhall, and Sergeant J S L Deem...

Soldiers at Tapawera military camp

Soldiers at Tapawera military camp

These soldiers were photographed at a military camp at Tapawera in the Marlborough area. The photo is dated April 1914, so was taken before the outbreak of war. Military training had been compulsor...

Women knitting socks for soldiers

Women knitting socks for soldiers

Some care has been taken to present this rather formal image, possibly posed in a photographic studio, of a group of young women working together for the war effort. The men in the trenches suffere...

Great War Certificate of service

Great War Certificate of service

Every returned New Zealand soldier who served in the First World War received this certificate of service. It recorded the soldier’s name, rank(s), where he served (theatres of war) and medals rece...

New Zealand artillery

New Zealand artillery

More New Zealand soldiers lost their lives to shellfire in the First World War than to enemy bullets. Often it was a question of where you were standing at the time. Shells could and did often fall...

Crowd at a patriotic demonstration, Stratford

Crowd at a patriotic demonstration, Stratford

The pace of events in Europe leading up to the outbreak of World War One meant that it came as a shock to some New Zealanders. However, public reaction in the days following was largely of great ex...

An unidentified New Zealand soldier outside his dug-out

An unidentified New Zealand soldier outside his dug-out

Shelter from the enemy and from the weather is a top priority for a soldier. Away from the front line trenches at Gallipoli, the men dug into the steep hillsides to create a place where they could ...

Departure of Expeditionary Force reinforcements

Departure of Expeditionary Force reinforcements

This photolithograph is an artist’s impression of a departing troop ship. It shows a scene that was repeated many times during the war years, as reinforcement troops were sent overseas at two month...

Returning to Wellington, New Zealand

Returning to Wellington, New Zealand

These four album photographs show the ship Tainui arriving in Wellington on the evening of September the 21 1919. On board were almost 400 New Zealand troops returning from fighting in Europe. News...

The gymnasium at Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital

The gymnasium at Hornchurch Convalescent Hospital

It’s a world away from today’s fitness gyms and equipment, (who would wear a shirt and tie to a gym today?) but this is what the inside of a gymnasium looked like 100 years ago. This gym was part o...

Soldiers firing at an enemy aircraft

Soldiers firing at an enemy aircraft

New Zealand soldiers are seen operating a Vickers machine gun against an enemy aeroplane in the Middle East. Despite having the ability to fire about 450 bullets a minute, the gun did have its limi...

Ettie Rout with her volunteers

Ettie Rout with her volunteers

Ettie Rout (in the middle, without a hat) poses with members of the volunteer sisterhood, which she organised to provide care to New Zealand soldiers overseas. In 1915, without government approval,...

Letters to Leslie by David Grant

Letters to Leslie by David Grant

These letters were written from Trentham, Featherston, Sling Camp, (England), and somewhere in France. Grant frequently mentions his friends in his letters. Even this short excerpt provides readers...

What will he do with it?

What will he do with it?

The British bulldog making fun of Germany was a popular symbol in war cartoons. Sometimes the bulldog was shown chasing the Kaiser, or biting the Kaiser’s rear! The German sausage was also used to ...

Fundraising poster for soldiers

Fundraising poster for soldiers

New Zealand communities large and small threw themselves into supporting the war effort. Patriotic societies and charities were established early in the war and kept up an enthusiastic pace of fund...

General Alexander Godley

General Alexander Godley

General Alexander Godley was appointed to help set up a New Zealand territorial force after a recommendation by Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, who visited New Zealand early in 1910.

Horses killed by bombs

Horses killed by bombs

In this German bombing raid in France, 94 horses were killed. German bombs often exploded low destroying the horse’s legs. The animals would be treated if possible but more often than not they woul...

World War One, also called the First World War, took place between 1914 and 1918. New Zealand fought as part of the Allies (the British Empire, France, Russia and others) against the Central Powers...

Since writing about you last...

Presents the transcribed and digitised war letters of 4 Southland soldiers.

Use Many Answers to find information about World War One.

New Zealand soldiers below trench signs

New Zealand soldiers below trench signs

New Zealand soldiers below trench signs at Gommecourt Wood August 1918.

Alfred Cameron’s Gallipoli war diary

Peace celebration parade, Queen Street, Auckland

Peace celebration parade, Queen Street, Auckland

Peace celebration parade on Queen Street, Auckland, 19 July 1919.

Captain Anderson and his gun crew

New Zealand soldiers on horseback led by Captain Anderson in Samoa during World War I.

World War One (causes and impacts)

This page on Many Answers has links to reviewed websites and databases about the causes and impacts of World War One.

Find more information about New Zealand and the first World War on EPIC. Databases recommended: Australia New Zealand Reference Plus, New Zealand History Collection (BWB), Britannica School and Wor...

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World War One, also called the First World War or the Great War, took place between 1914 and 1918. New Zealand was...

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