Why was the maori battalion formed?

Answer 1

It had been suggested that the NZ Gov't form a "Native Contingent" to serve in the 2nd Boer war (1899-1902) - but that plan never came to be (mainly due to the British feeling that a "white man's war" was no place for "natives").

But by the time WWI broke out in 1914, influential Maori parliamentarians and public figures had convinced the Gov't that a Maori contingent could be trained and deployed overseas as part of New Zealand's own contribution to the British war effort. Given the vigour that the Maori's had fought with in the New Zealand wars of the 1860's, it was believed by both Maori and Pakeha that a Maori division would do very well in ANY warfare situation.

Although the Army accepted maori volunteers prior to WWI, it was not until then that a specific Maori contingent was formed.

Answer 2

The Māori Battalion was formed during World War II to allow Māori men to serve together as a unit, reflecting both their strong martial tradition and a desire to show unity and strength as a people in support of the war effort. The battalion had a proud record of service and bravery in the Mediterranean and European theatres of the war.