The stories of the Waikato soldiers who partook in WWI are being told through an exhibition, book, and DVD. Kīngitanga stalwart Tom Roa has gathered information from the their descendants and has penned his first book.
First time Māori author Tom Roa explains, "The experience weren't just for the immediate family, but for the community, so myself and Maehe (Paki) asked the family, why did these boys they go to war?"
Roa reveals that events that took place prior to the war shaped the stance Waikato had towards it.
The Crown that confiscated the Waikato lands, approached the men to support the English.
The book and dvd will be unveiled at Pūrekireki Marae tomorrow, the exhibition opens tonight at the Waikato Museum.