hms new zealand

New Zealand’s response to the outbreak of war was not only a matter of supporting Mother England; self-interest was also at work. New Zealand was dependent on the British market for the sale of the wool, frozen meat and dairy products that dominated its economy. Anything that threatened this market threatened New Zealand's livelihood. New Zealand relied on Britain’s naval power to protect its physical integrity and its trade on the long haul to the British market.

The mascot of HMS New Zealand, Pelorus Jack, in 1913. Read more about Pelorus Jack.

Pelorus Jack sailed with Alan McInnes, whose great nephew sent in these images.

A model of Pelorus Jack with his collars and leading reins 

Pelorus Jack of HMS New Zealand

Two bulldogs named Pelorus Jack served as mascots of HMS New Zealand, the battlecruiser that the New Zealand government paid to have built for the Royal Navy. The first dog was a gift to the ship from a New Zealander living in England, and the dog sailed on the vessel on its maiden voyage in 1913. He was named after the famous dolphin that accompanied ships travelling in the outer Marlborough Sounds between 1888 and 1912.

In 1909 Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward announced that New Zealand would fund the construction of a battlecruiser to be gifted to the Royal Navy. Construction of the battlecruiser HMS New Zealand cost £1.7 million (equivalent to $261 million in 2010). With 26 guns and 800 crew, the ship was commissioned for service in November 1912.

Military cadets led by drummers marching past HMS New Zealand, during her visit to Lyttelton in 1913.

HMS New Zealand arrived in Wellington on 12 April 1913 as part of a ten-week tour during which an estimated 500,000 New Zealanders inspected their gift to Mother England. The crew was showered with many gifts, including a piu piu (flax skirt) and greenstone tiki (pendant) – intended to ward off evil – which were presented to the ship’s captain. Here large crowds gather during the ships visit to Lyttelton in 1913.

HMS New Zealand ca. 1913. In 1909 Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward reacted to the perceived German threat by announcing that New Zealand would fund the construction of a battlecruiser to be gifted to the Royal Navy. Construction of HMS New Zealand cost £1.7 million ($231 million in 2007).