![E. Pegler. \"[Transvaal volunteers, departure of the Auckland Contingent (24)]\", C. L. Wragge Lantern Slides. Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, PH-1984-1-LS78-2-74.]()
E. Pegler. "[Transvaal volunteers, departure of the Auckland Contingent (24)]", C. L. Wragge Lantern Slides. Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, PH-1984-1-LS78-2-74.
No known copyright restrictions.PH-1984-1-LS78-2-74
On Saturday 21 October 1899 215 men, the Transvaal Contingent, left Wellington for South Africa representing New Zealand’s first ever participation in an overseas conflict.
It was a remarkable feat of preparation. The first volunteers were ‘under canvas at Karori’ on 6 October, several days before Britain officially declared war and even before transport had been commissioned to carry troops from New Zealand if needed. In a lengthy review of the contingent’s preparation and departure the Evening Post wrote ‘it was freely stated in what might be said to be expert circles that it was impossible to get a contingent away from the colony in less than a month.’ That assessment was well beaten.
While contemporary newspapers and later records provide a wealth of information about New Zealand’s involvement, the course of the conflict, and its legacies, it is equally interesting to read of the first-hand accounts of New Zealand troops as they embarked on this historic journey. The busyness, excitement, novelty, and challenges they faced are perspectives seldom discussed by the larger narrative of the war. On 15 November Dunedin’s Evening Star published an account by a trooper, ‘Our Special Reporter’, who chronicled the contingent’s journey as far as Albany in Western Australia.
His descriptions bring to life the competitive spirit of the men, as well as the humour and drudgery of daily life aboard the SSWaiwera. The men were ‘conditioned to being shot at every day’, a process largely facilitated by ‘several hundreds of photographs taken’ during their preparation.
Among the memorable moments was the parting haka, specially composed for the occasion by Trooper J. Walter Callaway, also known as Wāta te Wahahuia, of Cornish and Ngāi Te Rangi descent. His haka became the contingent’s war cry, a powerful reflection of the pride and cultural depth of the men as they faced the unknown. Life on board, however, was not without its trials. The ‘best quality’ of the first evening meal was quickly marred by tea made with ‘iron water’, which was, according to the correspondent, ‘not nice’. Discipline, too, was an ongoing challenge. Major A. W. Robin, the commanding officer, delivered a stern reprimand to non-commissioned officers for ‘loafing at stables’ and not keeping the men ‘well in hand’. Strangely, this reprimand was met with cheers from the troops, a moment of levity in otherwise serious circumstances. Offences aboard ship did not go unnoticed, with the military police quick to bring offenders to account, further adding to the mix of tension and camaraderie.
Over the next two and a half years nine further contingents followed the first to South Africa, a total of just over 6,500 men of whom 230 lost their lives. This first offshore conflict experience was effectively a litmus test for New Zealand’s sense of self within the British empire and one which formed a reference point for the much bigger global challenge a scant twelve years later.
As we commemorate the 125th anniversary of New Zealand’s involvement in the South African War, we invite you to search Online Cenotaph, where you can learn more about the stories of those who served in this conflict.
Sources
- “This month in history: The beginning of the Second Boer War”, The Gazette Official Public Record
- “Evolution of the Troop.” Evening Post , Volume LVIII, Issue 97, 21 October 1899, Page 5
- “With the New Zealand Contingent.” Evening Star, Issue 11089, 15 November 1899, Page 4
- Māori and the war, (Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 13-Jan-2022
"Kia kaha nu Tereni" refers to the opening line of Walter Callaway’s haka which became the official ‘war cry’ of the New Zealand contingents:
"Kia kaha nu Tereni
Wha whai maea mo to Kuini to Kianga
Ake Ake Ake"
"Be strong New Zealand
Fight bravely for your Queen, for your country
Ever! Ever! Ever!"
Cite this article
Romano, Gail.
‘Kia kaha nu Tereni’: 125th anniversary of New Zealand in the South African War. Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tāmaki Paenga Hira. First published: 17 October 2024. Updated: 7 November 2024.
URL: www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/features/SouthAfrica125