Our First Foreign War: The impact of the South African War 1899-1902 on New Zealand

When war broke out between the British Empire and the Boer republics in 1899, New Zealand was among Britain’s most enthusiastic supporters. Many welcomed the opportunity to prove their nation’s military capabilities and its loyalty to the Empire.

Although the numbers sent to South Africa were small, the response at home was on a grander scale. Contributions to the war effort flooded in and New Zealanders closely followed the fortunes of their contingents in the field and the drama of the sie...