Consider how New Zealand’s part in World War I affected families, communities and our nation.

ANZAC works with Auckland War Memorial Museum's function as a War Memorial to explore some of the individual and community values and ethical issues that emerge during major conflict.

Stand in a Western Front trench, examine a World War I periscope and hold a New Zealand soldier's kit bag.  

Using our extensive collection of artefacts from the World War I period, as well as the Scars on the Heart 1 gallery, learners explore New Zealand's experience of the Great War - from face-to-face encounters with characters based on individual New Zealanders, to examinations of the Sanctuary, and the experiences of those left behind to keep the home fires burning.

Through multimedia and hands on interactions, this programme takes learners into the experience of war to help them understand and to "let their names be not forgotten".

Programme Information

Related Museum Resources

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.

Cenotaph Database Search for biographical and service details for over 115,000 New Zealand service men and women from the 19th century till today and especially from World War One and World War Two.  The database can be searched by who they were, where they went, and where they were from.

Galleries:  War Memorial  | Scars on the Heart  |  Sanctuary  |  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.

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 2 (the World War II gallery) and the Hall of Memories (the World War II memorial)
Holocaust gallery or a visit to a Museum gallery of your choice.

 Useful Links

 New Zealand Government Provides general ANZAC related information from the New Zealand Government point of view.

Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association Includes lots of useful information about Anzac Day, Poppy Day and the history of the Gallipoli campaign.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission The Commission was established following World War I and over one million Commonwealth forces casualties are commemorated at military and civil sites in some 150 countries. Their Debt of Honour register can be searched by individual’s names.