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Gallipoli diary

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

A diary written by Captain Edward Percy Cox of the Wellington Infantry Regiment offers a precious first-hand account of life during the Gallipoli campaign. Read a digital version of Cox's diary here (NZETC) and see his entry on the Cenotaph database.

Roseneath church war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

War memorial board in St Barnabas Anglican Church, Roseneath. The church is adjacent to the Roseneath War Memorial obelisk.

Henry Fanshaw, the RNZAF mascot

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

This film discusses the role of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Second World War, and particularly the part played by Flight Lieutenant Henry Fanshaw, 75 Squadron’s long-serving bear mascot.

The story of Phar Lap's skeleton

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

In the early 1930s, Phar Lap became a horse-racing legend in Australia. Since then New Zealand and Australia have shared his success, and what remains of his body. Simon Morton and researcher Chris Paulin tell the story of the Phar Lap skeleton at Te Papa.

The rise and fall of Play School

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Te Papa curator Kirstie Ross shows us the museum’s collection of toys from the popular television programme for New Zealand children, Play School. This show was based on a BBC version which began screening in 1964.

Land girls, overalls and killing knife

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

In this film Riria Hotere and Stephanie Gibson talk about the experiences of the ‘land girls’ who replaced male workers on many New Zealand farms during the Second World War. A pair of overalls and a knife from the Te Papa collections are used to evoke memories of the war effort at home.

1956 rugby ball and John Minto helmet from Te Papa

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Simon Morton looks at the connection between two items from the Te Papa collection: the rugby ball used in the deciding test of the 1956 Springbok tour and 1981 anti-apartheid protester John Minto’s helmet.

Te Kopuru war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Te Kopuru's memorial to the two World Wars.

The Finns of Te Awamutu - roadside stories

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Musicians Neil and Tim Finn are Te Awamutu's most famous sons. Tim's band Split Enz – a theatrically costumed arthouse ensemble – morphed into a successful pop group after 18-year-old Neil joined in the late 1970s. The brothers were later both part of the internationally successful Crowded House. Transcript Archival Audio: Excerpt from the Split Enz song, 'Haul Away'.

Māungakiekie-One Tree Hill - roadside stories

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

The second-largest of the 46 volcanoes that dot the Auckland landscape, Māungakiekie was once the site of a massive pā (fortified village), home to several thousand people. By the time of European settlement the pā had been abandoned, and a single tōtara tree grew on the summit. This was later replaced by a single Monterey pine, and Māungakiekie became known as One Tree Hill.

Titahi Bay cenotaph

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Dunedin railway station war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Roll of Honour and Passchendaele nameplate at Dunedin Railway Station. See also the twin nameplate at Christchurch railway station.

Knox Church war memorials

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Porirua peace memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Porirua peace memorial.

Wellington High School war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Herbert war memorial hall

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Dunedin Labour Day parade, 1894

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Labour Day parade in Dunedin, 1894.

Home - civilian NZers remember the Second World War

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Cover of Alison Parr's Home: civilian New Zealanders remember the Second World War, Penguin Books, 2010. The book and this web feature are based on oral history interviews with civilians who lived through the Second World War in New Zealand. The image shows Rob Pemberton returning to Auckland in February 1940 after serving on HMS Achilles in the Battle of the River Plate.

Wellington Railway Station war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Victoria Park war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Stratford's Victoria Park war memorial, at the entrance to the rugby grounds, Corner Fenton and Orlando Streets. The gates bear crossed rifles, wreathes and lighted lamps. There is also a round decorative iron plaque in the centre of each large gate - "France" (left) and "Gallipoli" (right). Inscription: Left pillar: These gates were erected by the people in grateful and loving memory of the soldiers from Stratford and surrounding districts who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918

Ruapuna war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Otahuhu railway workshops war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Queuing for rationed goods

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Queuing for rationed goods, Dixon Street, Wellington, 1943.

Devonport Primary School air raid shelters

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Pupils and teachers at Devonport Primary School head for the shelters during an air raid drill, 1941-42.

Members of the EPS practise first aid

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Members of the EPS (Emergency Precautions Scheme) practise first aid, Auckland, January 1942.

Recruitment poster, 1940

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

One of the many posters that appeared in 1940, urging men to enlist for overseas service.

Ruapuna Church war memorial

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

2NZEF soldier returns home on furlough

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

A 2NZEF soldier returns home to Wellington on furlough, July 1943.

Nursing wounded soldiers at Wellington Hospital

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Mae Carson (standing in centre) with wounded New Zealand soldiers, Wellington Hospital, Christmas, 1944

Censored letter from a conscientious objector

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

The last page of a censored letter sent from conscientious objector Merv Browne at Hautu Dentention Camp to Marjorie Clark, his future wife.

Peace in Europe

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

This Weekly Review from May 1944 reflects on New Zealand's part in the Second World War at the time of Victory in Europe.

Novelty newspaper in 1944

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

This 'novelty newspaper' gives Aucklanders news of the Second World War without using any paper.

Manufacturing NZ Bren Gun carriers

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 12:00:00 +1200

Film showing a factory (probably the General Motors plant at Lower Hutt) where Universal (Bren) gun carriers were made during the Second World War. This 1942 newsreel talks about how many are being made for New Zealand defences and how it is making New Zealand ready for any potential enemy invasion.