Maori soldiers in the first world war |
Despite the opposition from some Maori to military service, the Maori contingents contributed significantly to the war effort as a result of the change in imperial policy to let Native contingents serve, and later to participate in combat.
When it first left for the war, the first Native Contingent was fully Maori. It had been formed by the Native Contingent Committee which was made up of the four Maori MPs, the recruits coming from their respective electorates.
The initial aim for the Contingent was to grant an exception from the British rule of native forces having restricted use of weapons against the European forces, however when the first contingent left this had not been granted. The contingent spent some time in Malta, receiving further Military training in camp. They then were transferred to Anzac Cove, Gallipolli. The men were not prepared for both the excitement and horrors of war. Captain Peter Buck wrote in his diary, 'bullets began to whistle and hum like angry bees around us and the padre shouted, "Take cover boys!" In a twinkling we were behind the sandhills in safe cover.'
The heavy losses and casualties, particularly at the failing Gallipolli campaign led to a change in imperial policy for native battalions. They were now allowed to fight as a fully Native contingent.
During one of the key battles at Gallipolli, the men were told by their leader, Wainohu, to uphold their mana, and the name of the Maori people. "Do your duty to the last…uphold the ancient warrior name of the Maori."
There were not enough reinforcements being sent from NZ, so the native contingent was merged into the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, which consisted of both Maori and Pakeha. Despite their brave efforts at Gallipolli, they still received bias from fellow soldiers, with a probable cause being their race. This contingent moved to France, where they underwent trenching and dug out duties on the Western Front.
The Pioneer battalion was given labouring jobs to do on the battlefield rather than active fighting. They were in charge of building essential communication trenches leading to the front line, which were used at Messines and Bezantin Ridge.
Despite the lack of combat, it was still a dangerous job and 17 men were killed.
By 1917, there were enough Maori soldiers to make up A, C and D companies of the battalion as fully Maori. The New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion was officially formed once more. They assisted in many of the key battles along the Western Front including the Third Battle of Ypres and in Flanders.
The men were involved in the liberation of Le Quesnoy with other New Zealand troops, and the Union Jack belonging to the Maori battalion was flown from the town hall.
Armistice was signed in November 1918, and the battalion moved to Dunkirk where they were shipped back to England, and then New Zealand.
In total, 2227 Maori had served in the unit throughout the years of the war.
130 men were killed in action, 66 died of wounds and 132 of sickness. In total, 336 men from the battalion died in WWI.
The loss of life and sacrifice of Maori in a war that had no relevance to them as an indigenous people, indicated to the Crown and to the New Zealand government the bravery and growing competence of Maori in a European world.
When it first left for the war, the first Native Contingent was fully Maori. It had been formed by the Native Contingent Committee which was made up of the four Maori MPs, the recruits coming from their respective electorates.
The initial aim for the Contingent was to grant an exception from the British rule of native forces having restricted use of weapons against the European forces, however when the first contingent left this had not been granted. The contingent spent some time in Malta, receiving further Military training in camp. They then were transferred to Anzac Cove, Gallipolli. The men were not prepared for both the excitement and horrors of war. Captain Peter Buck wrote in his diary, 'bullets began to whistle and hum like angry bees around us and the padre shouted, "Take cover boys!" In a twinkling we were behind the sandhills in safe cover.'
The heavy losses and casualties, particularly at the failing Gallipolli campaign led to a change in imperial policy for native battalions. They were now allowed to fight as a fully Native contingent.
During one of the key battles at Gallipolli, the men were told by their leader, Wainohu, to uphold their mana, and the name of the Maori people. "Do your duty to the last…uphold the ancient warrior name of the Maori."
There were not enough reinforcements being sent from NZ, so the native contingent was merged into the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, which consisted of both Maori and Pakeha. Despite their brave efforts at Gallipolli, they still received bias from fellow soldiers, with a probable cause being their race. This contingent moved to France, where they underwent trenching and dug out duties on the Western Front.
The Pioneer battalion was given labouring jobs to do on the battlefield rather than active fighting. They were in charge of building essential communication trenches leading to the front line, which were used at Messines and Bezantin Ridge.
Despite the lack of combat, it was still a dangerous job and 17 men were killed.
By 1917, there were enough Maori soldiers to make up A, C and D companies of the battalion as fully Maori. The New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion was officially formed once more. They assisted in many of the key battles along the Western Front including the Third Battle of Ypres and in Flanders.
The men were involved in the liberation of Le Quesnoy with other New Zealand troops, and the Union Jack belonging to the Maori battalion was flown from the town hall.
Armistice was signed in November 1918, and the battalion moved to Dunkirk where they were shipped back to England, and then New Zealand.
In total, 2227 Maori had served in the unit throughout the years of the war.
130 men were killed in action, 66 died of wounds and 132 of sickness. In total, 336 men from the battalion died in WWI.
The loss of life and sacrifice of Maori in a war that had no relevance to them as an indigenous people, indicated to the Crown and to the New Zealand government the bravery and growing competence of Maori in a European world.