Citizen soldiering has been part of our history since the first years of
colonial settlement. From the early militias set up in the 1830s, primarily for
internal security, right up to the current day, these everyday men and women
have been trained and ready to serve our country.
The shape and purpose of the volunteer and territorial armies has changed
over the years, but is marked throughout by bravery, adventure and initiative.
This extensive history of the territorial and volunteer forces of New Zealand is
packed with over 400 images, detailing the many significant people who have
served this country.
In the South African War, the Great War, the Second World War and many other
military engagements, volunteer soldiers have bravely come to the aid of New
Zealand, and their history is intimately connected with the development of our
nation and reflects changes in our circumstances and place in the world.
The shape and purpose of the volunteer and territorial armies has changed
over the years, but it is marked throughout by bravery, adventure and
initiative. The men and women who give up their free time to undertake part-time
military service as “Territorials” do so for a variety of reasons, including
the physical and mental challenges and experiences such service involves, the
opportunities it offers to develop leadership and other useful skills, and the
comradeship. However, what is most important for today’s Territorials, like
those who have gone before them, is a desire to serve New Zealand.
In the modern era, the men and women of the Territorial Force remain a vital
strategic asset for the New Zealand Defence Force and the nation, and in recent
years have served with distinction alongside regular Defence Force personnel in
peace-support operations in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Asia and the Pacific.
At home, they have often been the first military force to respond to natural
disasters, for instance, playing a key role in the response to the devastating
earthquakes in Christchurch.
The Territorials is a compelling, in-depth guide to this important aspect of
our nation’s defence and provides a unique insight into a sometimes
overlooked part of our armed forces. Appealing to those with an interest in New
Zealand, its history or its military, it will also prove fascinating to the
thousands of New Zealanders who are either Territorials today or have been in
the past or have had family members involved in the services.
About the authors
John Crawford is the New Zealand Defence Force historian and has written on many
aspects of the history of New Zealand’s armed forces and defence policy. His
most recent publication is The Devil’s Own War, an edition of the First World
War diary of Brigadier-General Herbert Hart.
Peter Cooke is an independent historian specialising in military history and
industrial heritage. In 2000 he wrote and published the 3-volume work Defending
New Zealand: Ramparts on the Sea 1840–1950s, which has become the base
reference on home defence efforts. He has written and edited several other books
on the military and edits the journal of the Defence of New Zealand
Study Group.