Maori Soldiers WWI & WWII

Portrait of two Privates of the New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion. New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion - a combination of Anzac and memorial photographs included in the Coming Home virtual exhibition by Auckland City Libraries.

'Eyes left!' Soldiers of 28 (Māori) Battalion march in a ceremonial parade by New Zealand infantry in the Volturno Valley, Italy, in May 1944. The Māori Battalion's reputation for courage and audacity was well-known both to their enemies and throughout the Allied forces. It greatly ...

A group of 28 (Maori) Battalion soldiers drive along a street in Sora, June 1944.

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.

Portrait of Private Flanton of the Maori Contingent. New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion - a combination of Anzac and memorial photographs included in the Coming Home virtual exhibition by Auckland City Libraries.

Portrait of Private Flanton of the Maori Contingent. New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion - a combination of Anzac and memorial photographs included in the Coming Home virtual exhibition by Auckland City Libraries.

Covering warfare in the times before 1950

Double Victoria Cross winner Charles Upham pictured with members of his platoon in North Africa, November 1941.

During the First World War, over 2,000 Māori served under the Native Contingent and the Māori Pioneer Battalion. Conscription of Māori did n...

Photograph of Willie Apiata VC