The New Zealand Wars were a series of conflicts fought throughout the North Island of New Zealand over the period 1845-48 and 1860-72. They had a profound impact on the development of New Zealand and its peoples, and have also significantly influenced the character and ethos of the modern New Zealand Defence Force. The New Zealand Wars Study Centre was established in 2013 to teach NZDF personnel about these events. Through battlefield tours, staff rides and classroom presentations, the Centre uses the battles and campaigns fought on our own soil to teach NZDF personnel about the nature of warfare, modern operational concepts, and cross-cultural understanding.

In this presentation, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Taylor will discuss the roles and development of the New Zealand Wars Study Centre, together with the inherent challenges of dealing with conflicts that involved the ancestors of many current NZDF personnel on both sides.

About the speaker

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Taylor, DMS, PhD is a New Zealand Army officer and the Director of the New Zealand Wars Study Centre – a posting that draws on his forty years of research and teaching aspects of the New Zealand Wars. His previous senior postings have included Commanding Officer of the NZ Army’s Military Studies Institute, Defence Adviser to Papua New Guinea, a secondment to the PNG Defence Force as Deputy Chief of Staff, Commandant NZDF Command and Staff College, and Defence Attaché to China. Richard has published three books on the history of the New Zealand Army, and a range of journal articles and book chapters.

This is a hybrid seminar. Zoom details will be sent upon registration.

Additional information:

Registration is required for this event. Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C

View more of our upcoming events here, or sign up for our monthly mailing list to stay connected. Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | YouTube

Contact the host of Navigating the New Zealand Wars