New Zealand Military Draft And Service Records Index

The military records from New Zealand are invaluable for tracing family history, especially from the late 19th century onward. Detailed service files exist for soldiers in the South African (Boer) War, World War I, and World War II, often including enlistment forms, casualty reports, and correspondence. The Archives New Zealand and the Auckland War Memorial Museum provide access to digitized service records and nominal rolls. These documents usually contain birth information, next-of-kin, residence, and physical characteristics. Earlier records from colonial militias and New Zealand Wars also exist. For genealogists investigating their Kiwi roots, New Zealand’s military records not only offer essential personal details but also insights into ancestors’ lives during major global and regional conflicts.