Hoani Pokaihaku Te Aniani of Northcote Auckland left NZ with 3rd Maori Contingent on 4th February 1916 to serve in France. While in France he became a member of the New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion. He was twice wounded – severely gassed in 15th July 1917 and hospitalized in the United Kingdom. He was again wounded on the 19th of May but on this occasion remained with his unit until admitted to the 1st South Africa Hospital suffering from influenza on 1st August 1918.