By the time the Second World War ended in 1945 the 28th (Maori) Battalion had became one of the most celebrated and decorated units in the New Zealand forces.
There are always supporters and opponents of a country fighting a war. Over 2500 conscientious objectors lost their civil rights in New Zealand for refusing to serve in the First World War.
Assisted by two other Ratana-Labour MPs, Eruera Tirikatene and H.T. Ratana, Paraire Paikea drafted a scheme for an organisation to handle Maori recruitment and war-related activities.
Mai Te Kapoterangi (holding child) and Turei Karaka (with cigarette) farewell Tei Tihi (second from left) and Kumeroa Te Kapoterangi (third from left) as reinforcements for the Maori Battalion depart from Rotorua in January 1944.
Maori leaders offered men for both home defence and overseas service, and Maori requests for their own military unit followed, although not all wanted a Maori battalion.
When the Maori War Effort Organisation was established, the government had estimated that it would have a six-month life at a cost of £7,000. In 1943 Paikea asked that the timeframe be extended. He reasoned that as well as being essential to meet the country's wartime needs, the MWEO had a key role in post-war Maori development.
Even before the outbreak of the war, some Maori wanted to contribute to the imperial cause in South Africa. The failure of the Jameson raid, and the subsequent Anglo-German crisis in 1896, induced Te Arawa, for example, to offer to raise a guerrilla unit for service there.
In his recruitment waiata, 'Te ope tuatahi', Ngata made it clear that the replacement recruits that he and his colleagues had raised all came from the East Coast tribes of Mahaki, Hauiti, Ngati Porou, Te Arawa and Kahungunu.
The New Zealand Pioneer Battalion arrived in France in April 1916. It was the first unit of the New Zealand Division to move on to the bloody battlefield of the Somme.
Henare Wepiha Te Wainohu was a chaplain during the Gallipoli campaign. At first there was official opposition to sending Maori troops into battle, and after months of training in Egypt and garrison duty at Malta, the Maori troops were becoming restless.
Maori were active on the Home Front, involving themselves in the huge fund-raising and production efforts that New Zealanders undertook during the 1940s.
The Second World War was a significant event in terms of Maori–Pakeha relations, and the reputation of the Maori Battalion was a source of great pride to the wider New Zealand community.
Members of the Nelson Squadron of the Seventh New Zealand Mounted Rifles. Despite the British desire that this should be a 'white man's war', Maori soldiers served, including the unidentified soldier standing in the centre of the second row.
