Top Floor
The WW2 Gallery presents the Second World War, the Asian conflicts and the armed forces involvement of New Zealand in recent United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Since 1945 New Zealanders have been involved in over 50 conflicts around the world, increasingly in the role of peace keeper. From major conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam, Malaya and Borneo, to peace keeping efforts in Bosnia and East Timor, New Zealand’s military role and identity is changing.
The exhibition was created using the personal experiences of the armed forces and the New Zealanders who remained at home. Letting these voices speak lends considerable impact to the collection. Many of the items on display are small and of a personal nature, including letters to and from home, photographs and articles of clothing. Interactive computers allow visitors to browse through photo albums and diaries and handsets give oral histories of soldiers´ experiences.
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The Second World War saw New Zealanders fighting in North Africa and Italy and in the Pacific and in the skies over Europe and the waters of the Atlantic. WW2 tells the story of this widespread conflict, its impact on New Zealand, including the Home Front.
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