Home Front - Experiences of the First World War in NZ

Focusing on life ‘at home’ during the First World War, the Home Front exhibition will explore how events half a world away shaped lives at home. This is the third in a series of WWI Centenary commemorative exhibitions.

The experience of loss was almost universal for those who remained in New Zealand during WWI. Uncertainty pervaded everything. Would sons, husbands, fathers, brothers live through the ordeal, or come home seriously injured? When would the war end? Could families make ends meet until the breadwinner returned?

Patriotic and fundraising organisations channeled their energies into supporting New Zealand servicemen. But not everyone supported the war effort. While some communities pulled together, others were pulled apart by differences of opinion.