John Walter Callaway (Wāta te Wahahuia) or Walter, as he was commonly known, is credited with being the first Māori to serve in the South African War.
Maori In War
Articles
Māori War Effort Organisation
The Maori War Effort Organisation was formed during the Second World War to assist with recruitment for the forces and war-related service. Read the full article
Page 1 - Maori War Effort Organisation 1942-1945
The Maori War Effort Organisation was formed during the Second World War to assist with recruitment for the forces and war-related
Page 2 - Origins
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
Page 3 - Difficult times
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
South African 'Boer' War
The South African War of 1899-1902, often called the Boer War (sometimes the Second Boer War), was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops Read the full article
Page 8 - Māori and the war
Many Māori supported New Zealand's involvement in the South African War and some were keen to enlist. Although Māori were officially excluded from service in South Africa, a
Māori and the First World War
Māori reactions to serving in the First World War largely reflected iwi experiences of British actions in the 19th century. Read the full article
Page 1 - Māori and the First World War
Māori reactions to serving in the First World War largely reflected iwi experiences of British actions in the 19th
Page 2 - White man's war?
Imperial policy initially doubted the wisdom of 'native' troops fighting a 'white man's
Page 3 - Māori objection to conscription
Māori served in the First World War in the Maori Contingent. At home, some Māori strongly opposed
Page 4 - Further information
Books and links relating to Māori in New Zealand during the First World
Conscientious objection and dissent
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. Read the full article
Page 1 - Conscientious objection and dissent in the First World War
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
Māori and the Second World War
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. Read the full article
Page 1 - Māori and the Second World War
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
Page 2 - Response to war
Māori leaders offered men for both home defence and overseas service, and Māori requests for their own military unit followed, although not all wanted a Māori
Page 3 - Achievements
The 28th (Maori) Battalion established a formidable reputation as one of New Zealand’s finest fighting
Page 4 - The home front
Maori were active on the Home Front, involving themselves in the huge fund-raising and production efforts that New Zealanders undertook during the
Page 5 - Impact
The Second World War was a significant event in terms of Māori–Pakeha relations, and the reputation of the Maori Battalion was a source of great pride to the wider New Zealand
Māori in the NZEF
More than 2000 Maori served in the Māori Contingent and Pioneer Battalion during the First World War Read the full article
Page 1 - Maori Units of the NZEF
More than 2000 Maori served in the Māori Contingent and Pioneer Battalion during the First World
Page 2 - Maori Contingent at Gallipoli
The first Maori Contingent sailed from Wellington aboard the SS Warrimoo in February 1915. The contingent served on the Gallipoli
Page 3 - Pioneer Battalion
In early 1916 the Maori Contingent ceased to exist and was replaced by the New Zealand Pioneer
Page 4 - On the Western Front
The New Zealand Pioneer Battalion arrived in France in April 1916. It was the first unit of the New Zealand Division to move onto the bloody battlefield of the
Page 5 - Further information
Further information about Māori in the First World
Biographies
Hēni Materoa-Carroll helped to raise funds for Māori soldiers serving abroad during the First World War, mainly through the Eastern Maori Patriotic Association.
Main image: Pioneer Battalion flag
New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion flag attributed to Captain Pirimi Tahiwi.
