Literature review
Note:The context behind the 5,000 word literature review was an independent research assignment through my university studies with a supervisor. I wanted to do a research assignment on New Zealand, but had no family tree stories that could fit the word count at this point in time. I also had an idea about the New Zealand Wars and this assignment was the result. I may write up the actual assignment in the future. I was born in New Zealand, but spent most of my life in Australia. One of the perks in studying history is I wanted to do something on New Zealand and this is the result. I have left the footnotes in as they add to the literature for readers wanting to look further into NZ history.
Why were Militia and
Volunteers important within the Auckland Province between 1860 to 1865? How
were they different from the British Regiments already in New Zealand?
The
British military fought several important wars between 1860 and 1865, within
New Zealand that would become part of what is now known as the New Zealand
Wars. Individually, the conflicts are known as the Taranaki and Waikato wars.
Civilians were conscripted under the
Militia Act 1858 to serve as citizen soldiers known as militia and
volunteers when required. The nature of the conflict within New Zealand was
between European settlers and ‘friendly’ Maori (the native inhabitants of New
Zealand) and ‘rebel’ Maori. Interest in New Zealand conflicts have increased
since the early 1980s, through publications on the topic, such as James
Belich’s The New Zealand Wars, and
increasing publicity through action from Maori activists including the 1975
land march led by Whina Cooper.[1] New Zealand researchers
focus upon various events in New Zealand history including both military and
land issues. Through their research the authors have written about past events
for new generations. Researchers like James Belich, Vincent O’Malley, Matthew
Wright, Danny Keenan and Peter Maxwell have written about subjects, putting
forward questions towards their readers.[2] Early researchers like
James Cowan and John Featon’s books are frequently consulted by present
historians on the New Zealand Wars. Cowan and Featon focus on issues
surrounding Auckland during the Waikato War especially when civilians are
placed under pressure to protect settlements while the military had gone to
fight the Maori. The remnants of past conflicts still exist throughout the
ever-changing landscape and are threatened by new developments including road
and building construction.[3] This paper reviews the
literature, both primary and secondary sources, about militia and volunteers
during their service within Auckland and surrounding areas. The purpose of this
literature review is to provide an analysis of literature, which is useful
towards understanding why militia and volunteers were important within the
Auckland Province between 1860 and 1865, and to examine how they were different
from the British military already stationed in New Zealand.
Settlers
within New Zealand, especially Auckland realised the need for protection after
conflict in Northland between Hone Heke and European settlers in 1845.[4] The resulting Northern War
created the Militia Ordinance effectively raising a militia force in Auckland
and the evacuation from Whangarei of frightened citizens who feared the town could
be attacked by the Maori. The creation of the Militia Ordinance meant civilian
raised soldiers could defend New Zealand, although unlike the British military,
known as regulars, they had little training. The establishment of a militia had not been a specific
New Zealand solution to a perceived military threat. They had their origins
within Britain and the separate Australian colonies created regulations for
militia and volunteers from 1854.[5] Neil Preston through his
book explores the Australian colonies reasons for creating militia and
volunteer organisations for the protection of the settlements. Preston covers
New Zealand’s reasons for creating the militia Act in 1858 and how the
legislation was used within the country for protection of settlements. James
Rolfe provides an early history behind the use of civilian soldiers under the Militia Ordinance and the Militia Act 1858.[6]
R.H. Wynyard in 1858 had been worried about the defence of Auckland when the
military was sent elsewhere within the colony leaving only a small garrison
within the city. The New Zealand government recorded their response through
parliamentary records.[7] Vincent O’Malley explains
during the Taranaki War in 1861, there had been the threat of attack from Maori
on Auckland. The rumour would have caused fear since the military presence
within the settlement had been reduced.[8] Adam Davis points out
while the soldiers were concentrated fighting the Maori within the Taranaki
district, other areas were left relatively undefended and could easily been attacked.[9] The British military were stretched thin throughout New Zealand
and required assistance from the civilian population.
Alan
La Roche and Ruth Alexander reviewed the New Zealand Fencibles as part of the
Auckland defences through the creation of villages from 1847. The Fencibles
were retired or pensioned soldiers with around fifteen or more years of service
with the British army. Four settlements south of Auckland, were formed for
them: Panmure, Otahuhu, Howick and Onehunga. Their role was created under the
threat of Maori who had sacked Kororareka (now
known as Russell), north of Auckland in the Bay of Islands in 1845.[10] The literature by Roche
and Alexander contributes towards the successful creation of fencible villages,
which were early defences for Auckland. The Fencibles had practical military
experience from protecting Britain’s interests including service in India and
China. Auckland from 1841 had been the capital of New Zealand. Many of the
Fencibles would later become part of the militia and volunteer system in New
Zealand. Their military experience could be used to enhance the training of
civilian raised soldiers. During 1860s the conflicts there would be tensions
within the villages about attacks from Maori. Some of the residents within
fencible villages would send their family and valuables to Auckland for safety. The New Zealand Fencibles were part of
the defensive capabilities the country had to use to protect the civilian
population from attack.
Andrew
Brett speculates the 1853 creation of the province system in New Zealand lead
to the appearance of the Kingitanga movement in 1858. The Kingitanga was
founded in 1858 aiming to place Maori under one sovereign. Maori before were
independent groups under leadership of tribal chiefs. The increase in British
settlers meant Maori needed one voice. The first Maori king was Potatau Te
Wherowhero based in the Waikato town of Ngaruawahia. The Kingitanga wanted an equal footing with Queen Victoria
especially for issues regarding land.[11]
Arthur Thomson explained Auckland’s vulnerability to attack from the Waikato
tribes could have occurred well before the events during the 1860s even though
they acted as a form of protection for the settlement.[12]
Ron Crosby and Vincent O’Malley explain the Kingitanga movement were
instrumental to the conflicts during the 1860s and beyond. Potatau Te
Wherowhero became king in 1858 until 1860, when his son Tawiao became king. The
Kingitanga were protagonists in both the Taranaki War in 1860, and the Waikato
War in 1863, when the British military invaded the territory under orders from
Governor Sir George Grey. The settlers themselves were wary of the Maori
especially the creation of the Kingitanga. Many settlers had hostile reactions
towards the Maori during 1861, as noted by Governor George Grey once he
replaced Thomas Gore Browne.[13]
The Kingitanga were the biggest threat to the British settlers and Governor
George Grey knew a greater military force would be required.
New Zealand’s political climate according to
Edmund Bohan was complex while the conflicts were occurring throughout the
North Island. Changes between governors did bring brief respite with rumoured
attack on the then capital city of New Zealand, Auckland. After replacing
Thomas Gore Browne in 1861, Sir George Grey had plans of his own for dealing
with the Maori question and the looming Kingitanga threat to Auckland. George
Grey would counter the Waikato Maori threat through building a military road,
which would become known as the Great South Road.[14]
Maurice Lennard examines the creation of the Great South Road and its
importance to the invasion of the Waikato region south of Auckland. The
building of the road was done by detachments of troops and engineers in 1861.
Lennard points out the road direction were following old native tracks.
Building the road meant isolated settlements would have access to other
settlements like Auckland. The construction would reach Pokeno at its most
southerly point and the starting point where the British military could launch
their invasion.[15] The Great South Road would be used as
a political weapon by the Governor in his quest to defeat the Kingitanga Maori
and to access the land they resided on.
Escalating
conflict on the West Coast of New Zealand specifically the New Plymouth region
later known as the Taranaki region, were proving grounds for the Militia Act 1858. Murray Moorhead extends
upon a previously unfinished history about the Taranaki Volunteers, which had
been written in 1909. Moorhead explains the differences between the militia and
volunteers and, potential problems within the use of civilian soldiers compared
to the military. Moorhead points out the lack of training with the militia did
not curb their enthusiasm to serve alongside the military.[16] Peter
Maxwell explores the relationship between the civilian raised soldiers and the
British imperial soldiers during the beginnings of the Taranaki War. An example
during some fighting the military were withdrawn to the dismay of the militia
who were being fired upon by Maori. The relationship between British soldiers
and the civilian armed settlers would have been strained from that moment. [17] Clifford
Ian Simmons explains armed civilians under the Militia Act had an advantage over the British military as many of
the men farmed the locations and knew the area well. Their knowledge would have
been useful throughout the Taranaki War.[18] The
Taranaki War proved how useful the Militia
Act was towards the defence of the
civilian population.
The
Militia Act 1858 would forever change how civilians would be used within New
Zealand when calling them to arms to defend settlements like New Plymouth. Within
the Act there was room for the formation of male volunteers who could serve as
an alternative for militia duty when the governor called them out. The Militia Act called for the male
population to be called out for service within the district they resided. Under
the legislation there were three groups. These were First Militia, being single
men between the ages of eighteen to forty; Second Militia being, Married Men;
and, the final group being the Third Militia, who were older men aged forty to fifty-five.[19] Ian McGibbon explains the
militia were settlers who were the home guard and could be called for home
defence of their settlements during an emergency by the governor. The militia
were restricted to the district they were called from and could only travel
around twenty-three kilometres from the post office or police station they had
signed on.[20]
Peter Cooke et al, explains once the militia lists were compiled the men who
were eligible for training were called up for training, although they could
find a replacement at a cost. The Militia
Act 1858 had another part where settlers could join as a volunteer as an
alternative to militia duty.[21]
In
1858, Auckland had formed two volunteer companies under the direction of the
then Governor Thomas Gore Browne. These companies were the Royal Company of
Auckland Volunteers and ‘The City’ company of Auckland Volunteers. They had
been made up of around one hundred men including one captain and two
lieutenants.[22]
James Rolfe and Ian McGibbon within
their volumes explain that the volunteers were resultant from the Militia Act 1858, when many of the
settlements within New Zealand formed volunteer units. One hundred men were
usually the maximum size of each volunteer group including Infantry, cavalry
and artillery. By joining the volunteers, these men were exempt from militia
service.[23]
The Militia Act regulations for
volunteers were that they were to be formed for one year when sworn in and the
training was to be for at least 168 hours per year. Since volunteers were
exempt from militia duty, they could be either sent anywhere within New Zealand
or overseas if the government desired. None had been posted overseas between
1860 and 1865.[24]
Correspondence with Colonel William Kenny who was commander of the Auckland
garrison between 1860 and 1861. In 1860, he suggested the volunteers receive
extra money and were carefully selected due to their locality to the barracks
in Auckland, where around three hundred militia would be transferred to the
volunteers.[25]
Henry Balneavis, the Deputy Adjunct of the Militia and Volunteers, was reported
through the local newspapers on many occasions discussing the volunteers.
During 1862 he had reported disbanding the volunteers in Auckland, where they
were reformed after new rules and regulations had been drafted. He did discuss
the need for volunteers to be used to defend Auckland from the Otahuhu bridge.[26] McGibbon did point out
the volunteers were only paid while they were on active service and provided
with basic equipment by the government. The Auckland Volunteers could return to
their employment when they returned from active duty. Once the Waikato Militia
arrived during 1864, the volunteers could return to their usual livelihoods.[27]
The
Taranaki War began in March 1860, and by April it had been reported through the Daily Southern Cross that three
Auckland volunteer units had been called out for parade. The Rutland, Royal
Company and Victoria Volunteers were sent for their training within Auckland at
Albert Barracks. The three groups are provided with their positions when there
is a fire in the city.[28]
Correspondence with the Militia in 1860 discusses the times the militia,
volunteers and every available man in Auckland were wanted for parade, with the
recommendations of the times each company were to parade. Colonel Kenny had
been concerned about the defence of the Auckland district once the military had
been moved out. Specifically defending areas south of the city.[29] News report in October
1860, discusses the Auckland militia being drilled in the city near the Albert
Barracks to upper Queen street totalling 900 men marching their way through the
city as part of their training.[30]
In another report from August 1861, the militia were requested to halt their
training and go back to their lives. The First Taranaki War had ended in March
of 1861. Official Parliamentary Papers do not report the deactivation of the
militia duties.[31]
News correspondence reported on the New Zealand Wars especially what was
occurring within the settlements for the civilians to prepare themselves for
war.
There
were different volunteer organisations created under the Militia Act 1858. One such
group created through the legislation was the Naval Volunteers. Auckland
created their own from 1858, but the group was quickly disbanded due to the
lack of artillery equipment. Alan Henderson, David Green and Peter Cooke explore
the history behind the naval artillery during the Taranaki and Waikato war
periods and the effectiveness of the weapons used by the naval volunteers.[32] Newspapers predicted
Auckland being attacked and anticipated the militia would be called out. The
Volunteer Naval Brigade were actively searching the waters for an elusive enemy
out to cause trouble in Auckland. [33] Peter Cooke summarises the
defences of the harbours around New Zealand including Auckland from perceived
threats using the Auckland Naval Volunteers, who were also known as the Coast
Guards. Their task was to fight internal threats from the Maori.[34] The Daily Southern Cross, in 1860, provided extra information about the
creation of the Naval Volunteers including the names of the men involved within
the organisation. The rest of the information provides the military divisions which
the unit was divided.[35] The archival source from
the Camp Adjunct located in Otahuhu during 1863, not only involves the naval
volunteers parading with the other troops, but a series of dispatches between
1862 and 1863. The correspondence includes the naval volunteers wanting to use the
pinnacle, which had once belonged to the Orpheus.
The Orpheus wreck was the worst
maritime disaster at the time off Manukau Heads. There is also lists of
equipment needed when a new vessel at an earlier period was required. The most
notable entry is about the Volunteers not being allowed to attend the Queen’s
birthday celebrations due to some lacking the training they needed for drills.[36] The Auckland Naval
volunteers were the most distinctive of the volunteers within Auckland. Their
role not only involved infantry exercises, but they were trained to work on
watercraft as their main role while patrolling local waterways with naval
vessels.
Ron
Crosby explains the reasoning behind the conflict on the North Island why two
Governors, Thomas Gore Browne and Sir George Grey felt threatened by the
Kingitanga Maori especially through their opposition to selling land for use of
building settlements and farming. Both Browne and Grey wanted the Kingitanga
movement to be removed or under their control, which would decrease the threat
of Auckland being attacked.[37] James Cowan and John
Featon both explore the roles of the residents within Auckland through the militia
and volunteers. They point out civilians were required to fill the roles of the
military, specifically manning the garrison and guarding the settlements from
attack. The military had moved onto the Waikato area from 1863 to fight the
Maori.[38] A.J. Harrop and the New Zealander during 1863, explained the
government might not have considered consequences of placing the able bodied
male population into the militia and volunteer services. Auckland suffered
financially through men unable to engage the communities through their trades.[39]
Militia
and volunteers had some form of training to form discipline between 1860 and
1865, which was part of the requirement for their continued service for the
colony and the settlements in which they resided. Observances through primary
and secondary sources all provide examples towards the training of the civilian
soldiers who replaced well trained military who fought against the Maori. Adam
Davis’ thesis about Imperial soldiers within New Zealand provides the best
insight into the lack of training by comparing the citizens to that of the imperial
military. An example is the militia was expected to follow the same rules and
regulations as the imperial military.[40] The 1861 Parliamentary
Journal for the House of Representatives includes correspondence between
officials like Governor Thomas Gore Browne and Premier Edward Stafford about
the militia and volunteers within New Zealand. Edward Stafford was Premier of
New Zealand between 1856 and 1861. They raise issues about the Militia Act and the costs involved in
calling the militia out for duty, which happened during the Taranaki War that
began in 1860.[41]
An order in council from the clerk of the executive council, Forster Goring during
September 1863, explains the use of the Mutiny
Act and Articles of War through
the Colonial Defence Force Act 1862.
The men were required to serve for twelve months under the regulations. Misbehaviour
like shirking duty or deserting their post would mean they could be charged
under the Mutiny Act and the Articles of War.[42] An August 1863 letter
between Fort Britomart and the Militia Adjunct in Auckland reveals problems
between the military and the militia on garrison duty regarding their training
and discipline and their lack of professionalism.[43]
The
roles of the militia and volunteers were varied during the New Zealand Wars and
can be traced through primary and secondary sources. The civilian soldiers were
used by the British military for their specific trades and other duties, which
could be deemed appropriate. Alexandra Simmons’ thesis finds the militia had
specific trades that were beneficial through helping the military when they
included bakers and butchers at one end of food production roles.[44] Not only was food
production essential for the Waikato War, but as Maurice Lennard points out,
along the Great South Road, the militia were used to escort supplies between
settlements. Using militia for these specific tasks freed the regular soldiers
for duty elsewhere. Militia and volunteers not only escorted convoys, they
built fortifications such as redoubts and dug trenches.[45] Local newspapers reported
one hundred of the volunteers had been called to assemble at the Albert
Barracks for their role as guards once the British military had been marched
south.[46] In November of 1863, the
aftermath of one severe storm meant Lieutenant Colonel Haultain required the
services from the Onehunga Volunteers to help the Royal Engineers by providing
six carpenters and six labourers.[47] During 1863 the militia
as part of their duty had been required for night patrol searching for trouble.
By October 1863, the Third-Class Militia aged between 40 and 55 had their duty
disbanded or discontinued through correspondence to their captain. The two
other militia classes were required to remain active and were urged to be
careful throughout their duties.[48]
During
the Taranaki War between 1860 and 1861, the militia and volunteers were active
in defending New Plymouth and surrounds from attack including helping both the
navy and the military to fight the Maori. Moorhead examines what the civilian
soldiers could expect when they served with the soldiers and became involved
with fighting the Maori.[49] James Cowan and Peter
Maxwell in their books analyse the events, which took place during 1863 in
Pukekohe where the local rifle volunteers had built defences around a local
church and were soon defending the location from a Maori attack. They
successfully defended the location and reinforcements soon came to help.[50] Peter Cooke and others,
within their work begin by discussing the Auckland Rifle Volunteers being
stationed at Galloway Redoubt where they had been fired upon. They further list
several other engagements, including the Mauku Rifles getting shot at but no
casualties. Although Gustavus Von Tempsky mentions holes in their clothing from
being shot at. Von Tempsky, born in Prussia, arrived in New Zealand
seeking gold in 1862. He would join the Forest Rangers, a volunteer unit during
the Waikato War. He would become captain of the second company of the Forest
Rangers, although he would late be killed in 1868 as one of the Armed
Constabulary fighting against Titokowaru.[51] Cowan writes about
another conflict the Auckland Volunteers were involved in while they were
stationed in Wairoa. The volunteers were playing a game of cricket when Maori
launched an attack on them.[52] Allen Henderson points
out the Auckland Coast Guard and Onehunga Naval Volunteers did see some action
during their patrols with what was called hostile natives in 1863, both on the
Firth of Thames and the southern shore of Manukau harbour.[53]
Jock
Phillips and Terry Hearn explain some of the issues behind the 1863 Waikato War
as the government required armed settlers to create a sense of a buffer zone
for Auckland. The prospect of land offers, and a new life would have been one
reason for people arriving in New Zealand.[54] Many people submitted
offers for their services to the New Zealand government through suggestions
about military settlers within the Auckland area of New Zealand. In February
1864, Von Tempsky who had experience as a journalist, wrote his observations of
the Australian emigration scheme, that it had fallen short on expectations and
he had a suggestion of his own. He thought people from the north of Germany
would be ideal for settlement for they were farmers and love working their
land.[55] In March 1864, Alexander
Bradley suggested farmers from the province of Ulster in Ireland could be
introduced as military settlers since they were valuable for their farming
skills.[56] The introduction of
military settlers would have several advantages for the New Zealand government
as they would have more settlers offering their services through their farming
experiences and they could be used for protecting the settlements in time of
conflict.
Frank
Glen through his monograph explains the beginnings of the Waikato Militia who
were sent from Australian colonies to fight in the Waikato War for the
government. They fought under the promise they would receive land for performing
their duty.[57]
Edmund Bohan explains the role of the Waikato Militia whose roles were to
create military settlements around South Auckland and the Waikato region. The
Waikato regiments or militia as they were known were divided into four
regiments under the overall command of General Duncan Cameron. General Duncan
Cameron was first appointed commander of the Imperial Forces in New Zealand in
January 1861. Cameron would lead the invasion of the Waikato against the
Kingitanga in 1863. He would serve in New Zealand until 1865 after resigning
from his position.[58] The New Zealander reported the arrival of soldiers from the Australian
colonies in September 1863, who would fight for New Zealand in their wars and
did question what the soldiers would be called.[59] The Daily Southern Cross reported on the movements of various military
units throughout the New Zealand Wars including that of the Waikato Militia
military settlers going from Otahuhu to Papakura towards the end of September
in 1863.[60]
H.C.M. Norris reports the regulations for the Waikato settlers within his book
along with the conditions for settling the land and service. Amongst them is
the age of the settlers and the fact they would get free passage from the
government. Some of the recruits came from the South Island, but the majority
were found in the Australian colonies.[61] Vincent O’Malley examines
the concept of the military settlements where the Waikato Militia were to get
their land especially when the land was unsuitable for farming as they were
either swamps or other forms of barren land. Towns like Cambridge and Hamilton
would be military settlements.[62]
Defending
townships and other settlements were crucial during the wars. The militia and
volunteers were called to defend through garrisoning buildings to defend them
when hostilities arose. The main defences within Auckland were Fort Britomart
on Auckland harbour and Albert Barracks. The militia and volunteers would
gather there for both training and garrison duty especially during the Waikato
War. David Green describes redoubts as earthworks and stockades as wooden
buildings built on abandoned pa, which were once Maori defences. The locations
usually had strategic importance to the military.[63] British military personnel like Colonel
William Kenny would examine possible locations within townships near Auckland, that
citizens could defend. Colonel Kenny when visiting Papakura found two
buildings, which could be defended. Drury had structures that commanded views
of crossroads, which could see hostiles approaching. Civilians provided Kenny
with correspondence to the governor about building a blockhouse in Drury which
the volunteers could defend during the event of war. Both towns are between
thirty-two and thirty-six kilometres south of Auckland city.[64] The militia and
volunteers were involved with building defences from redoubts to trenches.
James Cowan includes diary excerpts from one militiaman who was not
enthusiastic about tasks given to him especially without alcohol rations.[65] Alexandra Simmons points
out that the Waikato Militia were required to build stockades within the towns
as part of the conditions of service.[66] Exploring the township’s
defences would provide the military with an understanding on how the location
could be defended and how the inhabitants would react during an emergency.
The
withdrawal of the British military from New Zealand was covered through two
theses by Richard Taylor and Adam Davis. Most of the British military was
slowly withdrawn from New Zealand between 1864 and 1866. The last of the
British Forces to leave was during 1870, this meant that New Zealand would
require its own permanent force before they had departed.[67] The correspondence from
Major De Quincey in March 1864, informed the Auckland Militia, Onehunga
Volunteers and the Naval Volunteers their military services were to be discontinued
in 1864. This meant it was part of the wind down for the Militia and Volunteers
within the Auckland region towards the end of the Waikato War, when the Waikato
Militia had arrived in New Zealand.[68] Harrop discussed the
reasons behind standing down the militia, which included the financial burden
to settlements like Auckland. Activating the militia had caused shortages in
manpower for local trades and businesses.[69] The New Zealand
Government became self-reliant upon its own policies including defence, through
the withdrawal of the British Imperial Forces and the British government from
direct rule in 1870. The Militia Act 1865 and Volunteer Act 1865 passed through
parliament, the volunteers were now separated from the Militia Act. From the beginning of 1866, the Volunteer Act 1865 came into force.[70] Peter Maxwell explains
the changes to The Colonial Defence Force
Act 1862 was replaced by the Armed
Constabulary Act 1867 during the withdrawal of the British military. The
Armed Constabulary operated like a police force within frontier towns like
Hamilton.[71]
Today
reminders of the New Zealand Wars especially around Auckland still exist within
the modern landscape. Researchers like Jock Phillips have written about the
reminders of the past from monuments usually dedicated towards the settlers to
attempted preservation of locations deemed of historic important to the nation.
Phillips recorded early attempts in preserving locations from development,
which had failed during the early twentieth century.[72] Towards the end of 1987,
Nigel Prickett was one of several experts consulted regarding St John’s Redoubt
and the impacts that nearby developments would have on the location. He included
the history and archaeological significance of the site to New Zealand.
Historian Maurice Lennard included an excerpt of his monograph about the
Redoubt as evidence for the file.[73] Prickett has contributed
extensively to the preservation of New Zealand’s archaeological past. He has
written about the New Zealand Wars especially the fortifications that are part
of the modern landscape use by both Maori and British soldiers. As one of many publications for the
Department of Conservation are used to inform locals and tourists alike to the
heritage of New Zealand.[74] Neville Ritchie and David
Green have written detailed accounts about the New Zealand Wars and where they
are located. Ritchie’s account is specifically about the Waikato War and
alongside Green’s visitor guide it can provide people with valuable information
about the New Zealand Wars.[75] Educating people about
the New Zealand Wars has changed through the traditional media and the rise of
social media. Teachers and historians like Vincent O’Malley have lent their
voices towards programs that focus especially on youth about past events
including the continued effects that the New Zealand Wars have had on New
Zealand.[76]
The
Militia and volunteers played an important role in the history of New Zealand
especially during times of conflict and uncertainty. Between 1860 and 1865, the
settlements around Auckland were threatened with attacked from hostile Maori
that would lead to the Waikato War. During the period of conflict, the militia
and volunteers acted as protectors of settlements in lieu of the British
Military who were fighting the Maori. Both the militia and volunteers were
first and foremost civilians. All able-bodied men were required to serve within
the militia unless they instead joined the volunteer units, which was an
alternative under the Militia Act 1858.
They were governed by the same regulations the British military were even
though they were civilians. The militia training meant they would be of limited
use during conflict, although the men showed enthusiasm for their roles. During
the Waikato War in 1863, the militia were activated by Governor George Grey
where they would escort supplies, guard military installations like Fort
Britomart on Auckland’s waterfront or patrol the streets. Using the militia and
volunteers would have economic consequences especially when Auckland
experienced labour shortages. Militia and volunteers were involved in limited
conflict situations during their service while the British military were
extensively used throughout the war period. The arrival of the Waikato Militia
meant the Auckland based militia and volunteers could decrease their service
within the Auckland province. The Waikato Militia had been recruited from
Australia and from New Zealand’s South Island with offers of land in return for
their service. Researchers from James Cowan to Vincent O’Malley have written
extensively about the internal wars in New Zealand and the impacts upon
society. Archaeologists, like Nigel Prickett fight to preserve the physical
reminders of the past conflicts before they vanish forever through time or
development.
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[68] From: Major De Quincey Date: [3
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