New Zealand has a tradition of commitment to the concept of collective security. It was a member of the League of Nations between the world wars and was active in the establishment of the United Nations in June 1945.
British troops surrendered to the Japanese at Singapore in February 1942. The loss of Singapore was the largest surrender in British military history and its greatest defeat since it lost its colonies in the American War of Independence.
In 1950 the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to adopt 10 December as Human Rights Day. New Zealand has participated actively in human rights deliberations at the Assembly, with a particular emphasis on the rights of women, children and indigenous people.
United Nations flag presented to Signalman Arthur Lyall Philip, Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals at the Inchon Rest Centre, South Korea on 9 July 1952.
On 10 December 1948 – Human Rights Day – the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration set out 30 articles or statements about human rights and freedoms. The Classroom includes a range of activities to support the teaching of this subject.
Private Leonard Manning became New Zealand's first combat death since the Vietnam War. Manning was part of New Zealand's contribution to a United Nations peacekeeping force in the fledgling nation of Timor-Leste (East Timor).
