Learn about the role New Zealander’s have played in major global conflicts.

Consider how New Zealand's involvement in World War I and II has shaped the lives and identity of individuals, communities and our nation.

The War Memorial provides a range of rich learning opportunities for all levels. Individual learners and classes usually identify their own topics of inquiry and attend the War Memorial to work with our educators to gather information, examine objects from the Museum's handling and archival collections, and to learn about the changing role of the Memorial in our community.

You can utilise the exhibition galleries, the Sanctuary and Hall of Memories, the Cenotaph database, the Armoury Information Centre and the Museum building itself.

In particular, NCEA History and English students undertake work toward internal assessments based on research. Sources of information available include gallery displays and audiovisual presentations, oral archives and pictorial collections, the Sanctuary, Hall of Memories, the Cenotaph database, the Armoury Information Centre, and the building itself.

During the past two years Museum educators have provided programmes for Y 5-13 classes in the War Memorial based on the following topics:

Programme Information

Related Museum Resources

Download the following resources: 

Scars on the Heart (Y4-13)
A social studies and history resource documenting and providing activities about New Zealand's growing identity, our role in wars of the past, including the New Zealand wars, WWI and WWII, up to the present day conflict.

In Memory Website
A previous Auckland Museum exhibition to mark the 90th anniversary of the World War I Armistice, viewed through the eyes of three New Zealanders who served in France and Egypt.

Galleries:  War Memorial  |  Cenotaph Database  |   Armoury Information Centre

Other Related Resources

Memory Maker
Craft your own expression of what 'Coming Home' means with this video mixing tool. Remix photographs, graphics, film clips, and music from the years following the First World War and then share your new video with friends and family. The Memory Maker is hosted by the Auckland Museum, with members of the National Digital Forum and others providing the unique content.

Works of literature that relate to Museum collections include:
- Caesar ANZAC Dog by Patricia Stroud
- Lottie Gallipoli Nurse by John Lockyer
- Donkey Man by Glyn Harper
- The Coffin Trenches by Ken Catran
- A Present From the Past by Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher

Ministry for Culture and Heritage Comprehensive site – includes multi media and class activities.

Turkish Odyssey The Gallipoli campaign explained from a Turkish perspective, written by a Turkish writer and tour guide.

The Memorials Register An ongoing project to document memorials throughout New Zealand – open to contributions.

Imperial War Museum This online exhibition of the Gallipoli campaign includes panoramas.

First World War.Com More than any other conflict, the Great War inspired writers of all generations and classes, most notably among combatants. This amateur website contains a comprehensive range of such writing.

First World War.Com This section of an amateur website contains archive recordings - audio and video - of politicians, royalty, commanders, battles, songs and speeches from the wartime era.

Living Heritage Project Secondary school project about the Christchurch Hospital Nurses Memorial Chapel, a World War 1 memorial.

Related Activities

This programme may be combined with:

Visits to Scars on the Heart, the Sanctuary and Hall of Memories (the memorials) and Holocaust gallery.

Attendance at the major public commemorations, notably ANZAC day and Armistice day, at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

 Useful Links

Ministry for Culture & Heritage:
The Penguin Book of New Zealanders at War
The Memorials Register
A Guide to ANZAC Day for New Zealanders

New Zealand History Online:
War and Society
From Memory - war oral history programme