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About Nga Toa
Nga Toa meaning "Many Warriors" in the Maori language is a project dedicated to preserving the oral histories of New Zealand’s Returned Servicemen and Woman. To date, over 200 interviews have been compiled in the Nga Toa video archive.
"When the Boys Came Home" by Jane Westaway

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Rehab - The Short Friendly Word.

For the men who made it home from World War II, the transition from battlefield to civvy street was a struggle – even for the precious few who emerged physically and emotionally unscathed – and “rehab” tried to turn back the clock by offering them a second chance at ordinary life. Sixty years on, it’s hard to ignore evidence that we didn’t do as well as we’ve always believed, that the problems rehabilitation tackled were only the tip of an iceberg.

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Charles Upham - VC and Bar by Dr Chris Pugsley

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"Come on Boys, they're Finished!"
Charles Upham is the only Combat Soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross and Bar, making him New Zealands and the Commonwealths highest decorated Solider.
Upham commanded No. 15 Platoon, C Company of the 20th Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Division and served in Greece, Crete and North Africa before being taken prisoner at Ruweist Ridge in July 1942.

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Between midnight and 2.00am on Sunday the 2nd of December 2007, 96 Medals were stolen, including 9 Victoria Crosses, from the Army Museum, Waiouru.Amongst those stolen were Upham's VC and Bar.

"New Zealand Police celebrate the return of these national treasures. The recovery of the medals was the top priority. Nevertheless, our job won't be complete until we find the perpetrators of this burglary and bring them to court," - Detective Sergeant Chris Bensemann.

Read the full Article from the New Zealand Herald.

Help catch those Responsible:

Call: 0800 VALOUR (825687)

OPERATION VALOUR: Who Stole our War Heros Medals?

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Guest Book

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Uncle John
12 Jun : 06:25
Tena koutou.

Kia ora all for setting up this site in honour of our servicewomen and men, past and present.

My Dad's oldest brother John, served in Crete with A Company. He was wounded twice, hospitalized and eventually repatriated home. He lived with us for a while after WW2, and worked in the bush up North. Uncle was a quiet, humble and un-assuming man
After everything he went through, he accidentally drowned off the Opononi Wharf around 1970. His body was recovered two weeks later near Karaka Point, Hokianga.

Tiatoa.

Alessandro
03 Apr : 18:26
A TRULY GREAT WEB SITE, a tremendous resource and a wonderful reference particularly for young students unable to grasp the dynamics and incomprehensible factors of war.
We should never forget the price of freedom and the generation who paid for it. Keep up the good work Patrick.
Alessandro


hmaryd
17 Mar : 12:29
Hi there! I work with Pauline and she told me about your website and the work you are doing. Its such a cool thing to do, and we admire you so much.

I went to the Terrace School in Waipuk, only earlier than Pauline! We have been sharing lots of memories...

Please say hi to Karl - I remember him from Massey days. It's great he is working with you, because he is such a cool guy. I imagine you would be a great team together.

Also fabulous website! Like the photos and design of it.

Cheers

Helen D

pmnelson
14 Mar : 15:12
What an awesome project Patrick!! :)

keval
12 Feb : 13:50
Great site and service.

Editor-Bill
09 Aug : 23:14
Happy to have a Link to your Site on our Links and Web Ring Page, as we have a tentative connection with New Zealand via HMNZS Gambia.
I had thought that you may have made some comment about the award of the VC to Willy Apiata.

Yours aye,
Bill Hartland
Editor www.hmsgambia.com

Lanc
08 Aug : 16:55
You've done an amazing job, Patrick. Your dedication to our veterans is truly wonderful!

jules
13 May : 20:14
Feeling very inspired, what a wonderfull young man you are Patrick, your dedication to our heroes is truly remarkable!!!

Ollie
15 Mar : 11:10
Hi Patrick,
I am a 2nd year Army Officer Cadet studying at Massey University, and i think you are doing a great and very noble thing. Excellent work keeping the stories of our soldiers alive, what an awesome job!
Ollie

alan m
22 Jan : 14:40
Hi Patrick
Once again, congratulations on such excellent work. I enjoy visiting this site.... Alan


  

Announcements:

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With America’s 1941 entry into World War II and the movement of Japanese forces into the southern Pacific, a number of U.S. troops were sent to protect New Zealand so that their troops might remain with commitments in the Middle East and other important, established locations.

The individual interviews herein record the varied and interesting tapestry of New Zealand’s often overlooked war contribution and new relationship with America: New Zealand war veterans, New Zealanders on the home front, and American servicemen stationed on the island nation during the war.

Bruce M. Petty is also the author of At War in the Pacific (2006) and Saipan: Oral Histories of the Pacific War (2002). He lives in New Plymouth, New Zealand.


Future Updates

A Call To Action: At the Outbreak of War in 1939, New Zealanders answered the call to help defend the world against fascist tyranny. Now we ask New Zealanders to answer the call to help preserve the oral histories of the brave men who served to defend our island nation! Their ranks are dwindling, so time is short!  Please take the time to carefully review the various ways that you can help! 


Material is regularly being added to this site. If you would like to be notified of future updates, please sign up for our mailing list, send an email to : Patrick@kiwiveterans.co.nz

Menu Images from the Time Frames Collection of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

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Donations & Support

Please support our project by purchasing items through the vendor links located on our site

For New Zealand Visitors:

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For U.S. Visitors:



Otherwise, if you enjoy our site and would like to see our work continue, please consider a $3.00 minimum donation.

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Click Here For Other Ways To Support Nga Toa

 
 






New Zealand Edge


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For the support from Brian Sweeny and the Team.



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Alexander Turnbull Library


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For granting NGA TOA permission to use photographs from the Time Frames collection.
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Archives New Zealand


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For granting NGA TOA permission to use images from the War Art Collection.

City Transport


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For the Continuous Support
from City Transport, New York City.
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Website & Content Managment System sponsored by Spinning Planet New Zealand
Nga Toa Logo designed and donated by Niko Smith
Content Administrated by Patrick Bronte
Historical Background by Carl Bradley