Wars and conflicts
Explore information on wars and conflicts New Zealand has been involved in.
The New Zealand Wars (1840s to 1870s)
The New Zealand Land Wars
Our page with recommended resources.
New Zealand Wars guide
Information on the history of the New Zealand Wars and on the men who served in military units, 1845-1872.
The New Zealand Wars
Search our catalogue for resources.
Blog posts
Ngā Pakanga o Aotearoa - The New Zealand Wars
Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara 28 October
Podcast - The New Zealand Wars
South African War (1899 to 1902)
New Zealanders in the South African War
A guide to information about the men and women who served in the New Zealand armed forces during the South African War, also called the Boer War.
South African War resources
Search our catalogue for items about New Zealand’s involvement in this war.
South African War – Canterbury Stories
Find digitised items related to the war.
South African War
First World War (1914 to 1918)
New Zealanders in the First World War
A guide to information about the men and women who served in the New Zealand armed forces during World War 1.
First World War digitised material
Material from our archives that we have made available online: includes diaries and personal correspondence, a Peace Celebrations programmes and a fundraising booklet.
1918 influenza epidemic
How Christchurch coped during the world-wide epidemic.
Armistice Day
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front in 1918, with the signing of the Armistice.
Coming Home - 90th Anniversary of the First World Wae Armistice
From October 2008 to March 2009, the return of soldiers to New Zealand is commemorated in a series of events, talks, movie showings, exhibitions and recitals throughout the country.
Passchendaele
In July 1917 the Battle of Passchendaele began on the Western Front with horrific loss of New Zealand lives.
Sgt. Henry Nicholas V.C. M.M.
Christchurch’s only Victoria Cross recipient from the First World War.
World War 1914 - 1918
Find items about New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War.
First World War photographs
Find photographs from the First World War.
First World War – Canterbury Stories
Find digitised items relating to the First World War.
First World War
Featured
Anzac Day 2025: Services and events in Christchurch
World War diaries and correspondence
We will remember them
First World War classics
Second World War (1939 to 1945)
The Beginning of the Second World War
On 3 September 1939, New Zealand was one of the first countries in the world to follow Britain and declare war on Germany following Germany’s invasion of Poland. This page links to resources about the war.
New Zealanders in the Second World War
A guide to information about the men and women who served in the New Zealand armed forces during the Second World War.
Second World War digitised material
Material from our archives that we have made available online: includes a diary, shipboard newspaper, Communist Party of New Zealand leaflet and a guide to the Sumner defences trail.
World War 1939 - 1945
Search our catalogue for items about New Zealand's involvement in this war.
Second World War photographs
Search our catalogue for photographs from the Second World War.
Second World War – Canterbury Stories
Find digitised items relating to the Second World War.
Second World War
Featured
VE Day - 9 May 1945
World War diaries and correspondence
We will remember them
Korean War (1950 to 1953)
The Korean War
Our page on the Korean War with a background of the conflict and links to other resources.
Korean War
Vietnam War (1960 to 1975)
Vietnam War
Memories of New Zealand soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War. Official Ministry of Culture and Heritage website, multimedia including audio, video, photographs, transcripts of interviews, digitised diaries and letters. Veterans, their families and the general public can contribute their memories. Veterans Roll and school resources.
Vietnam War
Search our catalogue for items about New Zealand's involvement in this war.
Vietnam War – Canterbury Stories
Find digitised items relating to the Vietnam War.