Despite the British view that the South African War was a 'white man's war', about 20 Māori did serve in the New Zealand forces in South Africa. Probably the first was Walter Callaway, shown in this romantic image from the Auckland Weekly News in December 1899. Callaway served in the 1st, 7th and 9th contingents, and was mentioned in despatches. He also composed a haka for the 1st Contingent, which ran: 'Kia kaha Niu Tireni. Whawai maiea mo to Kuini to Kainga. Ake. Ake. Ake!' (Be strong, New Zealand. Fight bravely for your queen, for your country. Ever. Ever. Ever!)
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference:
N-P 426; Auckland Weekly News, 22 December 1899, p. 5
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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