New Zealand and the Second World War

Māori Battalion perform the haka

Every country has a small number of identifiable ‘iconic’ WW2 photographs and this is one of New Zealand's. Here members of the Māori Battalion perform the haka for George II, King of Greece, who was in exile in Egypt at that time. The men in the background are John Manuel, Maaka (Bill) White, Te Kooti (Scooty) Reihana and Rangi Henderson. John, Maaka and Rangi died in action and Te Kooti was wounded during the war. Evacuated from Greece and Crete during the German invasion, the battalion went on to serve throughout the North African campaigns. They suffered heavy casualties but gained a reputation for being outstanding soldiers.

The battle of El Alamein

Japanese wood carving

This wood carving was created by a Japanese prisoner at a camp near Featherston during WW2. At the request of the US military, New Zealand accepted Japanese prisoners of war from Guadalcanal. While many accepted their situation, some refused to work. In an unfortunate incident on 25 February, 1943, Japanese soldiers were shot dead or wounded by New Zealand guards at the Featherston POW camp. A military court exonerated New Zealand but the Japanese government refused to accept the court’s decision.

Charles Upham

This is a portrait photograph of Charles Upham, one on New Zealand’s greatest Second World War heroes. Upham is the only New Zealand soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice for his bravery in Crete in 1941 and in Egypt in 1942. Born in Christchurch in 1909, Upham joined the 2nd NZ Expeditionary Force as soon as war broke out in September 1939. As a soldier, he was known for his toughness, steely determination and absolute professionalism.

Volunteer for national service

This poster appeals to New Zealanders to join the war effort by taking up auxiliary roles. For example, men could join the New Zealand Home Guard and women could become nurses. The Home Guard was created to defend New Zealand against a possible Japanese invasion. The New Zealand Army Nursing Service was set up during WWI by Hester Maclean who wanted New Zealand soldiers overseas to be nursed by New Zealanders. Much was learned during the First World War that helped nursing in the Second World War. About 680 nurses served during WW2.

HMNZS Leander

HMNZS Leander anchors in a Middle Eastern port during World War II. The light cruiser served with the Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II. In 1840 it sank the Italian commerce raider Ramb I in the Indian Ocean. Then in 1943, it fought alongside US ships against a Japanese cruiser in the Battle of Kolombangara in the Pacific War. Unfortunately, it got hit by an enemy torpedo after which the ship was sent to America for repairs.

VJ day

Canadian soldiers celebrate VJ Day or Victory Over Japan at Customhouse Quay in Wellington. America dropped atomic bombs over cities in Hiroshima and Nagasaki causing Japan to surrender and this brought an end to the Pacific war. News about the end of the war reached New Zealand at 11am on 15 August 1945. Sirens sounded and celebrations soon followed. A two day public holiday was declared in New Zealand.

Flyer to New Zealand boys

This flyer is an example of German propaganda distributed to Allied forces in Italy during WW2. It congratulates the New Zealand Army for their capture of Faenza in December 1944 but complains about 12 unarmed German prisoners who were allegedly shot by New Zealand soldiers. The Germans didn’t believe this was an honourable way to treat soldiers in war. The flyer invites the New Zealanders to wait for the end of the war in one of their quiet prisoner camps rather than face the fierce German artillery.

Tonga Defence Force of 2nd NZEF

Two rows of men face each other in a bayonet drill in Tonga. They are members of the Tonga Defence Force. Great Britain along with allies and United States declared war on Japan after it attacked the United States Naval Base Pearl Harbour. New Zealand declared war on Japan on 8 December 1941. For this reason, New Zealand had to step up its war effort in the Pacific. This image shows Tongan troops being trained by the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

The man leaning over the boat with a mine detector is trying to locate WW2 mines laid in Lyttelton Harbour by the German minelayer Adjutant. The navy’s Mine Counter Measures (MCMT) Team was asked to search for the mines when plans came up to dredge the channel to deepen it. Similar mines were also said to be laid at the entrance to Wellington Harbour by the Adjutant — the only enemy vessel sunk in New Zealand waters during WW2.