he 1918 pandemic most likely entered the country with returning troops before the end of World War 1. An earlier, milder form of flu had infected the country, but from October a severer form hit, causing almost 8,000 deaths. Auckland City had the highest death toll of 1,128.

By 30 October a quarter of Auckland’s Post Office employees were sick. By 6 November, 80% of the staff at the telephone exchange were ill. This rapid spread of the disease occurred across the country. This letter from the teacher at Omaio Māori School describes the spread in his area - up to 8 November there was no sign of the disease. Two men from Maraenui visited Opotiki to get cakes and whisky for a dance. On 10 November several people who had been to the dance were infected, by the 11th there were 104, and on the 12th 132. 6 people from Maraenui and 3 from Omaio died.

Archives New Zealand reference: BAAA 1001/103c

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