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Remembering Niueans in World War I
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Member of
Parliament for Northland
New Zealand First Leader
10 OCTOBER 2015
REMEMBERING NIUEANS IN WORLD WAR I
New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters is attending the Niue WWI Centenary Commemorations at the invitation of the Niue Premier, Toke Tufukia Talagi.
“Niue responded within hours of hearing about the war, with the chiefs sending a message saying: ‘I am the island of Niue, a small child that stands up to help the kingdom of King George’.
“So, in October, 1915, a contingent of Niueans left their island homes to train and join the Allied Forces,” says Mr Peters.
“We cannot imagine the hardship for these men, most of whom could not speak English. They were faced with hurriedly adapting to a colder climate, wearing boots for the first time and being served stodgy food after a lifetime diet of predominantly fish and fruit. Inevitably, severe illness took a big toll.
“This year Niueans will remember those who did not make it home and the bravery of those who ventured into a world they knew nothing of.
“I look forward to being part of the country’s commemoration. I am also delighted to return to Niue, to look over aid projects and developments past and present.”
Mr Peters will also be guest speaker at tonight’s Niue RSA’s reception.
ENDS
Alastair Thompson
Scoop Publisher
Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.
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