1. New Zealand Society in WWI Stevan Eldred-Grigg The Eve of War

2. “A lucky people in a lucky land” Max Herz (German traveller to New Zealand) New Zealand lies far away from the battlefields of Europe. New Zealand, a self-governing dominion. Perceived to be 'thriving' and 'easy going' by travellers, the people 'pleasant, quiet and affectionate'. Orderly streets, modern towns, orderly fields, modern farms, population of nearly 1.1 million (mostly born in NZ). 7/10 Natives, 3/10 born in Europe.

3. English, German, Scandinavian speaking. Small group from Northern Europe; inland and southern Irish, the island and highland Scots, and the Welsh. 1/20 not 'white' Chinese lived in city districts, Maori lived in villages along river valleys. All women and men had the vote as long as they were citizens, sane, and not in prison.

4. Citizens were keen writers and readers. Education developed swiftly according to observations by German Matthias Blassneck. Citizens were able to come and go, discuss thoughts on politics and religion as perceived as 'free'. Doris Jolly, a university student, wrote “Free as the rata vines” in which they swung and “free as the waves” in which they swam. A soldier wrote “New Zealand! A free land!” during the Great War.

5. Cottages or villas of red brick and boldly painted wood. Advanced technology on farms. Coal and gold mines. Service industry largely populated the workforce. Known as a rich and advanced state, with average earnings being double that of the homeland. The belief of citizens was that war would only be waged to defend their freedom and democracy.

6. Imagine you are living in New Zealand at this time... Choose a character A school student A wife/husband A politician A traveller to NZ Write 3-4 sentences from your character's perspective in New Zealand at this time.