The South African War (or Second Anglo-Boer War) was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops. The War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902. Fought between the British Empire and the Boer South African Republic (Transvaal) and its Orange Free State ally, it was the culmination of longstanding tensions in southern Africa. Eager to display New Zealand's commitment to the British Empire, Premier Richard Seddon offered to send troops two weeks before conflict broke out. Hundreds of men applied to serve, and by the time war began in October 1899, the First Contingent was already preparing to depart for South Africa. Within a few months they would be fighting the Boers. By the time peace was concluded, ten contingents of volunteers totalling over 6500 men (plus 8000 horses) had sailed for Africa, along with doctors, nurses, veterinary surgeons and a small number of school teachers. Seventy-one New Zealanders were killed in action or died of wounds, with another 159 dying in accidents or as result of disease.

The Boer War saw the introduction of new methods of warfare which would become common practice in 20th Century wars. During the later stages of the Second Boer War, the British pursued the policy of rounding up and isolating the Boer civilian population in concentration camps, one of the earliest uses of this method by modern powers. Women and children were sent to these camps. The Boer War also had other significance. The Army Medical Corps discovered that 40–60% of men presenting for service were physically unfit to fight. This was the first time in which the government was forced to take notice of how unhealthy the British population was.

Further information on New Zealand's contribution to the Boer War can be found at NZ History Online - www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/south-african-boer-war

This image presented here is a piece of War Art by J. McMaster titled Solider in a Landscape from 1901[Reference Ref: AAAC 898 NCWA Q389] This painting, as well as other items from the Archives New Zealand War Art Collection, can be viewed online at the following link - warart.archives.govt.nz/

Archives New Zealand holds all the personnel files for New Zealanders who served in the Boer War. These files have been digitised and can be found on our online finding aid Archway - archway.archives.govt.nz/