New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion

The New Zealand (Maori) Pioneer Battalion or Native Contingent and Pioneer Battalion was a battalion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force that served during World War I. The battalion was first raised in 1915 and served at Gallipoli and the Western Front and largely served as pioneers. "Of these by the end of the war, 2227 Maori and 458 Pacific Islanders had served in what became known as the Maori Pioneer Battalion. Of these, 336 died on active service and 734 were wounded. Other Maori enlisted (and died) in other battalions as well."

Departure and garrison duty in Egypt
The battalion first departed New Zealand in February 1915 aboard the SS Warrimoo, they trained in Egypt, but were initially assigned to garrison duty. Under the recommendation of Major-General Alexander Godley, the regiment was initially assigned further garrison duties on Malta, but despite the pleas of the Minister of Defence, James Allen and Maori MPs, the battalion was sent to Malta.

Service at Gallipolli
Increasing casualties among the Anzac forces during the Gallipoli campaign led to the deployment of the battalion. The battalion arrived at Anzac Cove on 3 July 1915. Here they joined the New Zealand Mounted Rifles and were employed as pioneers. In 1915, the battalion was renamed "The New Zealand (Maori) Pioneer Battalion". After the attack there was considerable criticism of some officers of the Maori Pioneers and it was the intention of the GOC to send several home but he was persuaded by Maori politicians that this would be unacceptable to Maori.

Service on the Western Front
It was intended that the Pioneers would be broken up and serve as reinforcement for other New Zealand units on the Western Front. However after a short time the unit was reunited and served the rest of the war as pioneers digging trenches,doing farm work,laying railway lines and erecting wire entanglements. Each company consisted of soldiers from Maori iwi(tribes) who were traditional allies. Nearly all iwi who supplied soldiers were from kupapa(loyal) tribes such as Ngati Porou who supplied so many volunteers they had their own company. Ngati Maniapoto,who served in significant numbers, despite being a kingitanga iwi(tribe ), were paired with Cook Island Maori. In late August 1916, the Battalion was sent into the battlefield at the Somme, and began work on an 8 KM communication trail known as 'Turk Lane.' At Messines Ridge, the battalion suffered 155 casualties and 17 deaths. At the conclusion of the war the unit was involved in an unpleasant incident when a group of Maori soldiers, possibly suffering battle fatigue,started shooting in a rest camp. When an officer was sent to investigate he was shot.

Post-War
After the war, the battalion was the only battalion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to return home as a formed body and toured throughout the country.