Build your First World War school programme
One Hundred years on from the First World War: 2014 – 2018
We provide a wide range of educational opportunities to help engage students with the events of the First World War. These include onsite educator led programmes, onsite independent programmes and gallery links, competitions and more.
Trentham Camp, N.Z. Engineer recruits, 1915
Unknown photographer (1915) Trentham Camp, N.Z. Engineer recruits. Auckland War Memorial Museum call no. D538 T795
Education programmes (educator led)
Years 1 - 8
Examine the events and experiences of the First World War with our educator-led programmes for primary and intermediate students.
Years 9 - 13
Select from our secondary school programmes to explore the roles New Zealanders played in the First World War, and the affect the conflict had on the lives and identity of individuals, communities and our nation.
Teacher professional development
The Auckland War Memorial Museum offers a range of learning opportunities for primary and secondary teachers, support staff, and principals.
Self-guided experiences
You might like to lead your own Museum visit to investigate themes relating to the First World War.
Centenary-related galleries
Activities and competitions
Delve deeper into the our education programmes by taking part in our activities and competitions for primary, intermediate, and secondary students.
Create your own graphic novel
© Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tamaki Hira Paenga
Create your own graphic novel that tells a narrative around WWI. We've created these instructions, templates, and images to get you started:
- WWI Graphic Novel cartoon images
- A set of carton images to help you tell your WWI story. Use these, or draw your own.
- Last updated on: 12 Feb 2015 | File Size: 60 MB
Digital resources
These animated videos for teachers and students are designed to provide an overview which could be used as talking points for teachers, or to prompt further research by students. The videos focus on New Zealand's involvement in the First World War and life in the trenches. Watch them on our YouTube channel.
Follow the experiences of a young New Zealand soldier throughout the Gallipoli campaign in this series of first-person perspective dramatisations.
Information on commemorations, flag days and information about the Battle of Passchendaele.
A history of the founding and building of Auckland Museum.
On two days in October 1917, in the farmlands of Belgium, New Zealand suffered two of its greatest tragedies.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum Library is one of the major research libraries in the country.
The Pou Kanohi gallery is a place to learn about New Zealand’s unique story of war and reflect on why, 100 years later, it still matters.
Pou Maumahara is home to Auckland’s Online Cenotaph, where visitors can explore the stories behind photos, diaries and military collections. The gallery has support staff and volunteers on hand to provide advice, and there is research space to plug in laptops, and sit down with books.
Online Cenotaph contains biographical records and some photos for over 140,000 New Zealanders, many of whom gave their lives as a result of war.