War has been an integral part of the life and culture of the Māori people.

History of the 28th (Māori) Battalion

Soon after war was announced in September 1939, Māori leaders began contacting the New Zealand parliament to offer men for both home defence and overseas service.

Calls soon followed for the establishment of a Māori unit within the New Zealand army. In October 1939 an all-Māori infantry company was formed – the 28th (Māori) Battalion. The battalion was organised on a tribal basis, with different iwi forming its four companies.

By the end of the war, the 28th (Māori) Battalion was one of the most celebrated and decorated units in the New Zealand army. Nearly 16,000 Māori enlisted for service in World War II. Of these, approximately 3,600 served in the 28th (Māori) Battalion in campaigns in Greece, Crete, Italy and North Africa. The Battalion suffered far higher than average losses: in all, 618 soldiers were killed, 1710 wounded and 267 taken prisoner or reported missing.

source: © Crown copyright, 2008, http://www.natlib.govt.nz/collections/highlighted-items/return-of-the-28-maori-battalion-1946, Return of the 28 Maori Battalion, accessed 15 April 2008