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.
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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
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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
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Page 4 – An uneasy compromise
Minister of Native Affairs Rex Mason, wanting to curb the Maori War Effort Organisation's expansion or entrenchment, in 1944 initiated moves to introduce to the Native
Māori and the Second World War
Despite some opposition, nearly 16,000 Maori enlisted for service during the Second World War. By 1945 the 28th (Maori) Battalion had became one of New Zealand's most celebrated and decorated units. But Maori contributed to the war effort in many different ways, at home and overseas.
- Page 4 - The home frontMaori were active on the Home Front, involving themselves in the huge fund-raising and production efforts that New Zealanders undertook during the
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Main image: Services vegetable production project, 1943
These Maori were employed at a Services vegetable production project near Levin in 1943
