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Cenotaph Stories

  • Jayforce: 75 Years On

    By Gail Romano
    Associate Curator, History

    To mark seventy five years since the arrival of Jayforce in Japan. Gail Romano, shares some of the stories of those who served in Japan in recognition of their service.

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  • An Invisible History: Wāhine Māori in the Air Force during World War II

    By Stacey Fraser and Angela Wanhalla (Kāi Tahu)
    History Programme, University of Otago

    'The Style for you is Air Force Blue' was the recruitment tag-line for the New Zealand Women's Auxiliary Air Force, established on the 16th January 1941. In this article Angela Wanhalla and Stacey Fraser from University of Otago look at the formation of the WAAFs and Wāhine Māori who served in the Air Force during the Second World War, who's history has largely been invisible.

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  • The Pacific War - 75 years on

    By Dan Millar and Madison Pine
    Collection Technicians Research Support

    In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day, we have put together some of the stories of the men and women of all of New Zealand's forces who served during the Pacific War.

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  • Mary McBeth

    Heather Downie
    Volunteer, Online Cenotaph and Pou Maumahara

    105 years ago on the 8th April, 1915 - the first fifty nurses of the newly formed New Zealand Army Nursing Service, set sail for the First World War. Online Cenotaph Volunteer Heather shares the story of one of these nurses, Mary McBeth.

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  • 'ATA-girl': The Fab Five of New Zealand Aviation

    By Dr Gabrielle Fortune
    Historian

    They were called 'ATA-girls' (attagirls) female pilots who served with the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during the Second World War. During the war 168 women served with the ATA, including five New Zealand Women who paid their own way to England for a chance to fly.

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  • Māori Mobilisation: Wartime, Peacetime, Covid-19-time

    Dr Aroha Harris
    University of Auckland, History Department

    Historically, major crises – whether war or disease – that took and disrupted far too many lives also generated unreservedly Māori responses, often paying attention to whānau and community health and wellbeing. Dr Aroha Harris ponders iwi Māori capacity to mobilise throughout the 20th and 21st Century.

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  • Jayforce: 75 Years on

    Gail Romano
    Associate Curator, History

    To mark seventy five years since the arrival of Jayforce in Japan. Gail Romano, shares some of the stories of those who served in Japan in recognition of their service.

    Read more
  • Wishes came true for a truly nice person

    Pauline Weeks
    Online Cenotaph Volunteer

    Many women who signed up to ‘do their bit’ in World War Two were also looking for excitement, a career move, a chance to go overseas or wanted to join other family members who were also serving. Muriel Isabella Moss Borthwick (Anderson) achieved all these wishes.

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  • World War Voices - identifying speakers in wartime radio recordings

    By Sarah Johnston
    Sound History Researcher (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rākaipaaka)

    During the Second World War the National Broadcasting Service Mobile Unit recorded interviews and reports about the fighting and the day-to-day business of war, as well as thousands of simple messages home from servicemen – and a few women. Sound History Researcher, Sarah Johnston explores their stories.

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  • Love in Wartime: War Weddings

    By Dr Gabrielle Fortune and Madison Pine

    During the Second World War marriage in New Zealand continuously rose, reaching a record high in 1946. Here, we have shared some of the stories of New Zealand servicemen and women and their whirlwind romances.

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