Inequality and lack of understanding between the peoples of new zealand was a key reason for objection to conscription resulting from the unsettled grievances from the land seizures of the 1860's.
1914 society was discriminatory towards people of colour, and this was clearly seen in the British Army’s restriction on native peoples from fighting. This included Maori, Aboriginal and African troops. Society in NZ still saw some division between Maori and Pakeha peoples. Permission was granted for Maori to join the NZEF in Pioneer Battalions. Maori were granted permission to engage in combat after the numbers of casualties and losses began to rise; as these increased, so did Pakeha appreciation for Maori efforts.
Certain regions of Maori did not wish to fight at all however, particularly in the name of Britain.
Opposition to conscription and resistance of military service by Maori was rooted in the land disputes of the past and the pacifist views embedded by the second Maori king. Waikato Maori were still bitter about the land wars of the 1860’s where property was seized as a penalty for being in supposed insurgence against the British Crown. 1.2 million The key slogan to 'fight for King and Country' did not sit well with Maori who still resented Pakeha; how could they fight for a King who was not their own, and for a country that had been taken away from them?
There was also opposition to conscription because the Second Maori King Tawhiao’s call for peace after the land wars. He specifically said to lay down arms and to allow no more blood to be shed. His granddaughter Te Puea Herangi, reminded the people of this when they were encouraged to volunteer.
Certain regions of Maori did not wish to fight at all however, particularly in the name of Britain.
Opposition to conscription and resistance of military service by Maori was rooted in the land disputes of the past and the pacifist views embedded by the second Maori king. Waikato Maori were still bitter about the land wars of the 1860’s where property was seized as a penalty for being in supposed insurgence against the British Crown. 1.2 million The key slogan to 'fight for King and Country' did not sit well with Maori who still resented Pakeha; how could they fight for a King who was not their own, and for a country that had been taken away from them?
There was also opposition to conscription because the Second Maori King Tawhiao’s call for peace after the land wars. He specifically said to lay down arms and to allow no more blood to be shed. His granddaughter Te Puea Herangi, reminded the people of this when they were encouraged to volunteer.
"This is the end of Warfare in this land" - king tawhiao, 1881
Conscription was introduced to Maori in the Waikato-Maniapoto land region. Others Maori areas of the country had provided the men necessary to fill the first few contingents however Waikato had continually resisted due to the difficulties surrounding their land rights and Te Puea’s guidance. It is clear that the government saw Te Puea as a figurehead of the resistance and attempted to blacken her name. It was brought to the nation's attention the the last name of previous generations of her family was German, and she was labelled as 'alien.' This was in spite of the passive nature of her objection. For the government, this would have been a tactic to reduce her influence over the Waikato people, as in many cases, once the leader is removed, people lose unity and different views come forward.
The objection of the Waikato people was cultural and historical; all reasoning was ignored by the government who came to the marae and forcibly removed men, taking them to Narrow Neck military training camp in Auckland, and then to Mt Eden Prison when they refused to wear uniform numerous times.