Museum News
New Zealand Military History
Explore New Zealand's military history and check out the latest museum news, events and exhibits, plus details of our latest aquisitions.
- Join The National Army Museum on Facebook
- NZSAS in Latest Exhibition
- New Acquisitions
- NZSAS: The First Fifty Years
- New Attraction for the Kids HQ
Join The National Army Museum on Facebook
The National Army Museum has a Facebook Page for fans to share their photos and stories about their visits to the museum, and to find out more about activities, events and exhibitions at the museum.
Join Facebook today and connect with the National Army Museum Facebook Page.
NZSAS in Latest Exhibition
Our latest exhibit In the Pursuit of Excellence is on display in the Hassett Gallery from June 2010 to July 2011, and focuses on the formation, history, and changing role of the NZSAS, from its historical links with the Forest Rangers (1860s) and the Long Range Desert Group (WWII), through to its formation in 1955 and the squadron's overseas deployments in an ever changing world.
The NZSAS's mission is to respond to those situations where other Army units may not be able to act as effectively or efficiently. This requires an extraordinarily high level of intense training and their military operations require a high degree of cunning, guise and operational flexibility.
Visit the National Army Museum and see what makes these highly trained, hand-picked volunteers deserving of their reputation.
New Acquisitions
The National Army Museum has been lucky enough to secure two very special Japanese WWII POW hand-carved Alligators and a Snake, which are now on display in the Featherston Gallery on the lower floor.
From September 1942, Japanese who were captured during battles in the South Pacific were transported to New Zealand and held as prisoners of war at a camp near Featherston, where they were put to work.
Carving provided the prisoners with an excellent means of passing the time and it also gave them something that they could trade with the guards, for cigarettes and other useful items.
Visitors to the National Army Museum can view a number of beautifully hand-crafted items, which were all made by the Japanese POW's at Featherston Camp.
NZSAS: The First Fifty Years
Like any family, the stories of the NZSAS are part of the glue that binds them together. But for obvious security reasons, the activities and personalities of New Zealand's Special Forces have largely remained shrouded in secrecy.
This new book by Ron Crosby represents a significant step in peeling back this secrecy, providing insight into how this unit's special capabilities have been relied on in numerous deployments, over a range of environments, across the decades of its existence.
This insightful book has an essential read for anyone with an interest in the Special Forces or New Zealand's military history, and is available to purchase at the National Army Museum Shop. Please use our enquiry form or contact us on 0800 369 999 to place an order.
New Attraction for the Kids HQ
Our new M548 ride is now available for school groups for the first time. Not for the faint-hearted, however the first group of kids took full advantage of the rough and tumble with a memorable ride from an army vehicle of times gone by. These children were among the lucky first to enjoy the ride and judging by the fun they had they surely won't be the last!
Check out the latest New Zealand military history news and events for the National Army Museum.
Corner State Highway One
and Hassett Drive
Waiouru, New Zealand
Ph: +64 6 387 6911
Fax: +64 6 387 6319
