When Kiwis and Aussies think of the First World War, their minds invariably go to their countries’ shared experience as soldiers of the ANZAC Corps on the shores of Gallipoli. The trials and terrors of the Western Front often go unremembered.
The Sir John Monash Centre is the Australian equivalent of the New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata – a place on the battlefields designed to welcome visitors making the pilgrimage from Down Under to the land where their ancestors fought, while also sharing the story of an incredible sacrifice made by people from the other side of the globe with the local French community.
On Sunday 19 October 2025, the Sir John Monash Centre welcomed Te Arawhata Marketing and Operations Manager, Jacob Siermans, to present New Zealand’s story during World War One.
As far as is possible in one hour, Jacob traced the Kiwi journey from Aotearoa to Gallipoli, then through the Somme and Flanders, before finally arriving at Le Quesnoy where the New Zealand Division would arguably have its most exceptional moment – the liberation of the fortified town without the death of a single civilian. He provided some of the key reasons behind New Zealand’s surprisingly high engagement rates despite its location at the other ends of the Earth, and suggested why Māori and Pākehā alike were eager to sign up.
The audience were similarly eager to hear more about the little South Pacific nation’s efforts on their soil – many stayed for close to an hour after the presentation with questions for Jacob.
The team at Te Arawhata would like to thank our friends at the Sir John Monash Centre – we were delighted to share this afternoon with you and hope to continue to build the ANZAC connection here on the Western Front over a century after the Armistice.
We would also like to make a special mention to Sam Rea-Rankin – our 2025 summer intern – for his invaluable contribution to the preparation of the presentation.