New Zealand Militia, Volunteers and Armed Constabulary Index (1863-1871)

Search the Auckland City Libraries database which identifies 3,281 members of the Constabulary from 1867 to 1871, including the Native (Maori) Constabulary.

• Waikato Militia (1st Regiment), New Zealand
• Waikato Militia (2nd Regiment), New Zealand

Militias included those formed at Auckland, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki, while Corps included those of local Artillery Volunteers, Cavalry Volunteers. Engineer Volunteers, Naval Volunteers, Rifle Volunteers, Light Horse, Forest or Bush Rangers and Military Settlers. Some also served in the Commissariat Transport Corps.

Waikato Militia

In July 1863, Governor George Grey and the colonial government had invaded the Waikato. Four regiments of Waikato Militia were raised to serve in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato districts. The enlisted men, if not already in the North Island of New Zealand, were to be given free passage to a designated port and promised land in the settlements that would be established. In March 1864, information was received that Māori entrenching parties were building fortifications at Ōrākau. The nearest imperial forces hurried to the site and were joined by the 2nd Waikato Regiment. ‘Rewi’s last stand’ at Ōrākau Pa took place between 31 March and 2 April 1864. The following month, in June 1864, sites were selected for the Regiments:

• 1st Regiment: Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.
• 2nd Regiment: Alexandra (now Pirongia) and Kihikihi in the Waikato.
• 3rd Regiment: Ngaruawahia, Te Kowhai and Cambridge in the Waikato.
• 4th Regiment: Hamilton in the Waikato.

External Links:

• Armed Constabulary
• 2nd Waikato Militia
• 3rd Waikato Militia