The Second World War began in September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. The British Government issued an ultimatum to Germany to withdraw from Poland and when Germany refused, Britain declared war. New Zealand was one of the first countries to declare war on Germany after Britain and become part of the Allies.

At 11.30pm on 3 September 1939 the acting Prime Minister, Peter Fraser, issued a statement confirming that New Zealand was at war. Following the death of Prime Minister Michael Savage in 1940, Peter Fraser went on to lead New Zealand through the rest of the war.

Over the course of the war around 194,000 men and 10,000 women served in the armed forces. Almost 12,000 New Zealanders lost their lives.

The war against Germany ended with their official surrender early in the afternoon of 7 May 1945, New Zealand time. The acting prime minister, Walter Nash, insisted that VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) be delayed until 9 May following the official announcement of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Once the official celebrations got underway, 25,000 people marched through Christchurch in a People’s Victory March organised by the Trades Council.

The war against Japan continued until 15 August 1945 when news of the Japanese surrender arrived in New Zealand at 11am. Celebrations began immediately and continued for two days of public holiday.