Public Service at war
The New Zealand public service played a central part in the dominion’s war effort, both at home and overseas. Among many other things, it administered the training and recruitment of soldiers and managed the bulk purchase of produce for Britain. It struggled to balance the complex needs of keeping the country running in the face of wartime pressures and meeting the requirements of the all-consuming military war effort. More than 8000 public servants served in the war, and over 1000 lost their lives. Articles below were commissioned by the State Services Commission and New Zealand Post.
The Public Service at war - overview
This survey of the work done by the public service at home and abroad during the First World War introduces the other articles in the series.
More on this topicThe public service in 1914
When the First World War began, New Zealand’s public service employed about 10% of the working population, many in highly skilled roles.
More on this topicGetting the men to war
How the Defence Department co-ordinated the vast job of enlisting and training New Zealand men, and sending them to the First World War.
More on this topicFeeding Britain
The ‘imperial commandeer’ - how the government overcame great difficulties to despatch New Zealand produce to wartime Britain.
More on this topicMaintaining public services
How the public service coped with the pressures of war as thousands of staff left to serve overseas.
More on this topicPolicing the war effort
How police toiled to ‘keep the peace’ with the assistance of stringent new wartime laws.
More on this topicRepatriation of returned servicemen
How the public service created a repatriation system – and then dismantled it.
More on this topicHonouring public servants
The rolls, memorials and other ways that public servants who died in war were remembered.
More on this topicNZ Railways at war
The rail system and its workforce played a crucial role in supporting the national effort during the First World War
More on this topicThe Post and Telegraph Department at war
The Post and Telegraph Department maintained communications at home while its staff played vital roles at the front
More on this topic