Ngāti Raukawa Sacrifice and Suffering in 20th Century Wars

Wai 2200 Porirua ki Manawatu Inquiry

Involved in the Ngāti Raukawa Treaty claim process, ngā hapū o Kereru claimant Te Kenehi Teira started to consider the extent and significance of Ngati Raukawa participation in 20th century wars. While Iwi on the East Coast were well-known for having fought overseas (eg C Company, Māori battalion), what was Ngāti Raukawa's story?

At the beginning of the substantive hearings at Hato Paora College on 13th March 2020, Te Kenehi put the idea to the Waitangi Tribunal which  responded positively - thus this research project had its genesis.  The  Wai 2200 inquiry relates to the Porirua ki Manawatu inquiry district - including Ngati Raukawa, Te Atiawa and Muaupoko. The inquiry is covering a wide range of issues relating to whenua, waterways and tino rangatiratanga. Research reports are funded by Crown Forestry Rental Trust for the whanau, hapu, iwi and the Waitangi Tribunal to learn about their history including grievances.

The report - "Ngati Raukawa and 20th Century Wars, Ngā Pakanga o te Ao, Participation, Price and Post-War Experience" - has provided an opportunity for many whānau to share stories about participation in war, which when compiled, creates a bigger picture of the Ngāti Raukawa and affiliated iwi and hapū involvement in war, and its impact on their people and community.

Here is a brief insight into what was learned.

Ngāti Raukawa Sacrifice and Suffering in 20th Century Wars

Despite large loss of land and disregard from the Crown in the 19^th century, 50 years later Ngāti Raukawa men were enlisting in large numbers to fight in World War One, and later World War Two.

How did that happen? Was it that Ngāti Raukawa had a proud tradition of fighting and wanted a chance to prove their skill and ability on the battlefield again? Was it that land-loss and colonization had made survival a struggle? Was it the appeal of travel overseas and adventure alongside brother, cousin, uncle and nephew? All of the above and more.

Te Pakanga Tuatahi o te Ao : First World War 

The experience of being in the Mounted Rifle brigades early last century was exciting, fun and even glamorous - riding horses, handling guns on horse-back, attending tournaments and balls. The Tahiwi, Royal, Carkeek and Bevan whānau were some of those who were in the Otaki Mounted Rifles, then enlisted in the Maori contingent in 1914.

Through studying the army files of over two-thirds of the 84 men who served in World War One, we were able to identify that many of our men were also hospitalized through illnesses such as poison gas or trench fever, and several were also subject to field punishment – being shackled and fettered (FP2), or tied to posts or gun-wheels every day for a week or two (FP1).  Three were killed in action, five died of illness while in service or during the war, and several more died of illness within the next fifteen years. 

Government support for these men after their return home was meagre, with only four able to get access to any land under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Scheme, a much lower percentage than non-Māori. There was no specific rehabilitation scheme for Māori, and few received any help.

Pakanga Tuarua o te Ao : Second World War

Over a hundred Ngāti Raukawa men (109) joined the 28^th Maori battalion in World War Two, and a total of 181 Ngāti Raukawa men and one woman (Ruth Ransfield) participated in World War Two and served overseas. Some were in the 2NZEF, Air Force, Navy and other forces. Thirty-two men lost their lives, either dying from wounds or were killed in action during the conflict, and eight suffered for years in POW camps. The trauma of war affected many long-term, and no-one was left unscathed.

Post-Second World War service

Ngāti Raukawa uri continued to serve in the New Zealand armed forces including during Jayforce, the Korean War, Malayan conflicts, Vietnam War and Afghanistan. This service included Major General Brian Poananga, chief of General Staff; Ngāti Kauwhata; J-force, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Indonesian, Vietnam; Honours - MB, CBE, OBE, MBE. 

"Due to time constraints, we regret we have not been able to write more about Ngāti Raukawa experiences in Japan, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and elsewhere. One senior whanaunga, however, Helene Hakaraia (Ngāti Wehiwehi, Ngāti Kapu), has extensive knowledge of these wars, and states that there are many grievances related to army lack of care for Māori and other veterans in relation to both World Wars, as well as J-force, K-force, Vietnam, and Malaya" (p.233)

The report notes there is a considerable scope for more research on the topic of Ngāti Raukawa in 20th Century wars and we hope this report sparks further interest in researching their war experience.

The research report, “Ngāti Raukawa and 20th century wars. Ngā Pakanga o Te Ao. Participation, Price, and Post-War Experience”, is provided below. The report was commissioned by Crown Forestry Rental Trust, Wellington (Wai 2200 Porirua ki Manawatu Inquiry).

Wai 2200 Report

• 
• Ngāti Raukawa and 20th century wars. Ngā Pakanga o Te Ao. Participation, Price, and Post-War Experience
• Research conducted by Te Kenehi Teira and Heeni Collins (2022). Report commissioned by Crown Forestry Rental Trust, Wellington (Wai 2200 Porirua ki Manawatu Inquiry).
• Last updated on: 28 Jun 2022 | File Size: 6.1 MB

• 
• Appendices
• Last updated on: 28 Jun 2022 | File Size: 8.5 MB

• 
• Summary
• Last updated on: 28 Jun 2022 | File Size: 57 kB

• 
• Errata
• Errors identified and updated 22 April 2022
• Last updated on: 28 Jun 2022 | File Size: 29 kB

Results

Displaying 1 - 20 of 352 records

Record ID	Photo	Family name	First names	Force	Wars	Service #		Preliminary
C117749		Anderson	Boyd	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	449259
C34359		Armstrong	Alexander	Army	World War II, 1939-1945, World War I, 1914-1918	16/250, 805566
C102199		Armstrong	William Henry	Army	World War I, 1914-1918	62903
C128840		Baker	Nohinohi Mahima	Army	Jayforce, 1945-1948, Jayforce, 1945-1948	816630
C128842		Baker	Peter Wakefield	Army	Jayforce, 1945-1948, Jayforce, 1945-1948	816655
199010		Baker	Raumoa Matenga	Army	Korean War, 1950-1953, Malayan Emergency, 1948-1960	206989
C128765		Bell	Benjamin Raniera	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	39747
C128824		Bell	Charles Rangiriri	Army	World War II, 1939-1945, Korean War, 1950-1953	805188, 206126
201950		Bevan	Edward Pereki	Navy	Regular Military Service	646954
C38468		Bevan	Henry Raymond	Army	World War I, 1914-1918	10/1741
148992		Bevan	Leslie Charles	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	260446
122903		Bevan	Llewellyn Manuiti	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	16401
C34334		Bevan	Matthew	Army	World War I, 1914-1918	16/252
130009		Bevan	Richard Pakira	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	554626
C128852		Blackmore	Raymond	Army	Jayforce, 1945-1948	816641
C119686		Brightwell	Murray Richard	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	631478
C116089		Brown	Robert	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	39044
C119691		Carkeek	Manukiao	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	804674
76479		Carkeek	Rikihana	Army	World War II, 1939-1945	27441
C34379		Carkeek	Rikihana	Army	World War I, 1914-1918	16/256

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