24 May 2004 Public Affairs
Prime Minister to launch online war history
The official history of New Zealand’s contribution to the Second World War is to reach a worldwide audience thanks to
Victoria University and some generous donations.
The Online Official Histories of New Zealand in the Second World War will be launched by the Rt Hon Helen Clark at 5pm
on Wednesday 26 May. The Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal David Bamfield, will also be a guest of
honour at the launch.
The project, which is managed by Victoria University’s New Zealand Electronic Text Centre, has digitised and placed on
the internet all 50 volumes of the Official Histories of New Zealand in the Second World War, which were published in
the decades following the war.
The volumes include accounts of battalions, campaigns, prisoners of war, and details of war surgery and field medicine.
The information, which includes 25,764 pages of text, as well as thousands of photographs and maps, is searchable online
at www.nzetc.org/projects/wh2/index.html
Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon said the University was delighted to have completed a project with such
intrinsic value to New Zealand history.
“The online official histories will give people all around the world, and across generations, easy access to rare
accounts of this crucial period in New Zealand’s history. It’s a major achievement to have developed this substantial
out-of-print series into a digital history that is globally available, free of charge to the user.
“With the recent rise in attendance at ANZAC Day parades and a general increase in interest in the War, the Online
Histories will provide an unparalleled tool for historians and students, not to mention the friends and relatives of
those who lived and fought in this time.”
The success of the project was ensured by significant donations received through the Victoria University of Wellington
Foundation. These included a UK£20,000 donation from Mary Weston, the daughter of New Zealand war hero Major General Sir
Howard Kippenberger, who oversaw the production of 23 volumes of the official histories. Support has also been received
from the New Zealand Community Trust, the University, and the New Zealand Defence Force.
Air Vice-Marshal David Bamfield, Vice Chief of Defence Force emphasised the value of this project.
“New Zealand’s armed forces have played a hugely significant part in the development of the country’s identity and
culture. The endeavour, commitment and sacrifice demonstrated by Kiwi servicemen and women during the Second World War
set the example for the long held values and characteristics consistently demonstrated by our people today.
“This project is an excellent initiative and will provide ready insight into this outstanding chapter of the New Zealand
Defence Force’s ongoing contribution to the nation.“
The New Zealand Electronic Text Centre is the University’s research centre devoted to XML-based electronic publishing
and the development of online libraries. Earlier this month the centre announced an alliance with Wellington-based web
development company 3months.com to provide a comprehensive new range of electronic publishing solutions and services.
Media are invited to the launch of the Online Official Histories of New Zealand in the Second World War. It will be
held at Lecture Theatre 1, Government Buildings, Victoria University of Wellington Pipitea Campus, at 5pm on Wednesday
26 May.
ENDS