Great War Stories Falaoa and the Niueans
In 1915 around 150 Niuean men set sail from their island home for war service overseas as labourers in the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion. They were thrust into a bewildering environment – many did not speak English, the food was different and their army uniforms were scratchy and uncomfortable – and a climate wholly different to that of Niue. Disease soon took its toll. Among these men was 19-year-old Falaoa, a young Niuean who fell ill while labouring on the Western Front. Separated from his countrymen, he endured the isolating experience of a hospital stay in London before former missionaries to Niue, Frank and Sarah Lawes, came to visit. Falaoa survived the war, but many of his fellow islanders were not so lucky and never returned home.
Short films telling personal stories about New Zealanders affected by Gallipoli and the First World War.
Primary Title
- Great War Stories
Episode Title
- Falaoa and the Niueans
Date Broadcast
- Monday 12 February 2018
Original Broadcast Date
- Wednesday 19 April 2017
Duration
- 04:26
Series
- 4
Episode
- 1
Channel
- Internet
Broadcaster
- New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Programme Description
- Short films telling personal stories about New Zealanders affected by Gallipoli and the First World War.
Episode Description
- In 1915 around 150 Niuean men set sail from their island home for war service overseas as labourers in the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion. They were thrust into a bewildering environment – many did not speak English, the food was different and their army uniforms were scratchy and uncomfortable – and a climate wholly different to that of Niue. Disease soon took its toll. Among these men was 19-year-old Falaoa, a young Niuean who fell ill while labouring on the Western Front. Separated from his countrymen, he endured the isolating experience of a hospital stay in London before former missionaries to Niue, Frank and Sarah Lawes, came to visit. Falaoa survived the war, but many of his fellow islanders were not so lucky and never returned home.
Classification
- Unknown
Owning Collection
- Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Captions
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Notes
- Research and scripts: AC Productions. Images, historic video and further sources: Archives New Zealand and National Library of New Zealand. Originally broadcast as a segment of TV3 News (now Newshub), MediaWorks Television.
Subjects
- World War, 1914-1918--Personal narratives, New Zealand
- World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Turkey--Gallipoli Peninsula
- Soldiers' writings, New Zealand
- Documentary television programs--New Zealand
Genres
- Biography
- History
- War
Contributors
- Mike McRoberts (Narrator)
- Anna Cottrell (Director)
- Anna Cottrell (Producer)
- AC Productions (Production Unit)
- NZ On Air (Funder)
Subjects
- World War, 1914-1918--Personal narratives, New Zealand
- World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Turkey--Gallipoli Peninsula
- Soldiers' writings, New Zealand
- Documentary television programs--New Zealand