B Company Research

Honouring Tūpuna

E ngā urī o Te Hokowhitu a Tū, e mihi kau ana ki a koutou katoa i runga i te āhuatanga o te wā, i runga i te arohanui ki ngā hoia o Kamupene B kua whetūrangihia.
Ka hoki maumahara tonu tātau ki Tā Robert ‘Bom’ Gillies. E Koro, ka tangihia tonutia koe e te tini, e te mano. Hoki pai atu koe ki ō hoa e tatari ana ki a koe. Whakawetohia te rama e Koro. Rātau ki a rātau, tātau ki a tātau, nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātau katoa.

Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa is currently closed for earthquake strengthening, but when it was open, the Museum had an exhibition dedicated to sharing the stories of B Company 28th Māori Battalion. Check out which locations in New Zealand made up the four different companies in the 28th Māori Battalion here

Whilst the Museum is closed, we are taking the opportunity to redevelop the B Company exhibition and are hoping to connect with descendants in order to strengthen the overall exhibition.
We are currently trying to gather photos of as many B Company soldiers as possible. While we already have many photos, we are still missing a huge number.

Searching for Soldiers

If you have photos of any of B Company members, particularly in their uniform and at about the age when they were serving in B Company, we would love to hear from you.

Please complete this quick survey and we will be in contact with you.

If you are unsure if your tupuna was in B Company then check out the list below. Names are listed in alphabetical order by surname. Use {Ctrl F} and type in name for a quick search.
B Company 28th Māori Battalion – List of Soldiers

For any queries, please contact:

EVENTS & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Canaan Tuhura
Email

Be part of the Legacy

The B Company, 28th NZ (Māori) Battalion History Trust was established in 2014 to “protect, maintain and preserve the integrity, honour and mana of the company.”

The Trust is a registered charitable organisation created to fund and manage the research and publication of the stories of B Company.

The B Company, 28th NZ (Māori) Battalion History Trust is being reviewed, and they are looking for members to represent whānau of B Company 28th Māori Battalion tūpuna. We would like as many whānau as possible to attend the Trust hui to learn more and become involved. Read a letter from the Trust Chairman, Graeme Vercoe 28th Māori Battalion B Company History Trust – A letter from the Chairman

Date: Saturday 24 May 2025, 1pm – 4pm
Location: Te Ao Mārama Hall, Ōhinemutu, Rotorua
RSVP: To canaan.tuhura@rotorualc.nz by Friday 16 May 2025

Meeting Agenda:
– Brief background of the B Company Trust
– Review partnership between Rotorua Lakes Council and the B Company Trust
– The purpose for calling the hui and why we need whānau of B Company to mandate this Trust
– Review of B Company Trust
– Responsibilities of Trustees
– Call for new Trustees of the Trust
– Call for New Chairman of the Trust
– Set future meeting dates for the Trust

Copies of the 1st edition of Ake Ake Kia Kaha E! will be provided to attendees to the hui (while stocks last).
Downloadable B Company Research and Trust Hui flyer