New Zealand Pioneer Battalion badges

Badges worn by the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion during the First World War.

The Pioneers' badge features a Māori warrior's face above a crossed pick and axe, flanked by fernleaf fronds and the words 'NZ Pioneers'.

During the First World War 2227 Māori (and 458 Pacific Islanders) served overseas with the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force; 336 died on active service and 734 were wounded. They intially left New Zealand in February 1915 as a Maori Contingent and saw action during the Gallipoli campaign. In February 1916 the Māori troops were reorganised as part of the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, which carried out trench-digging, road-making and other support tasks on the Western Front. This was still dangerous work, as Pioneers worked close to the front lines and were often subjected to artillery and gas attacks. In September 1917 the Battalion became an all-Māori unit and was renamed the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion. Its members returned to New Zealand in March 1919.

More information about Māori involvement in the First World War can be found on the NZHistory.govt.nz website.