MAORI AND THE GREAT WAR
Like most Europeans, we had no idea Maoris had been involved in WWI before meeting the real Charlie. For those who want to quickly learn more about the context of their involvement, have a look at https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/first-world-war
For a more detailed report, check James Cowan's book "The Maoris in the Great War" : http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-CowMaor.html
We were lucky enough to be quickly put in touch with historian Dr Monty Soutar, who advised us on the cultural and historical aspects of the short. Here is an article about the book he wrote about the role of Maori in WWI : http://gisborneherald.co.nz/lifestyle/3156041-135/history-of-maori-in-ww1-out
When in reperage with Philippe in Auckland, we landed by chance, through our couchsurfer Graham, in a Maori burial party in the local RSA. More about the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association here : https://rsa.org.nz/
A website devoted to Maori's involvement in WWII. It also includes some info about WWI : http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
Nearly every museum in NZ has got a WWI section. Here are some of them : http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/pages/home.aspx
http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/
https://tairawhitimuseum.org.nz/
If visiting Belgium, make sure you can spare some time for http://www.inflandersfields.be/fr, where you'll find a Waka Huia sent over by the family of a deceased soldier.
The following site will also help you better understand the battlefields in Gallipoli and in Europe : http://ngatapuwae.govt.nz
Many more resources can be found on http://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/maori-and-pacific/
Here are a few books that were really useful in developping the short :
- Rikihana Carkeek, Home Little Maori Home : A Memoir of the Maori Contingent (1914-1916), Tootika, Wellington, 2003.
- James Cowan, The Maoris in the Great War, Whitcombe and Tombs, Auckland, 1926.
- Ingold, Tim, Une brève histoire des lignes, Zones Sensibles éditions, 2011.