Forgotten aviators : the journey, experiences and contributions of Māori airmen to 75 (NZ) Squadron during the Second World War : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (History), College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University. EMBARGOED until 11th July 2026
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2025
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Massey University
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Abstract
This thesis examines the journeys, experiences and contributions of a group of 29 Māori airmen who flew in various capacities with 75 (NZ) Squadron. It first explores Māori enlistment in the military prior to the Second World War. It looks at the early Māori pioneers in aviation and how they paved the way for Māori airmen joining at the beginning of the Second World War. It argues that the Māori War Effort Organisation played a critical role in Māori recruitment at the dawn of the Second World War, but much of the focus lay in recruiting men into the 28th (Māori) Battalion. While the ranks of the battalion began to fill, a small group of Māori men chose to begin the long journey towards joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This thesis follows their experiences at various training schools in Canada and New Zealand, where they became skilled in their respective trades. After training, the airmen moved to the United Kingdom to begin preparations for joining an operational squadron. These men would join 75 (NZ) Squadron at various times throughout the Second World War. This thesis details their operational sorties with the squadron and their experiences while on base. It explores the broader picture of the European theatre. It will also examine their post-war lives and reintegration into civilian life and argues that policies concerning returned servicemen were applied unevenly and did not honour the contributions of these Māori airmen.
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Embargoed until 11th July 2026