Small Arms of the Military and Police
in New Zealand

We are researching and gathering data to be able to compile information pages on the small arms used by Military and Police in New Zealand (NZ). This commences with Captain Cook’s arrival in NZ in 1769 and includes the arms used by the British (sea and land) Forces in NZ from 1835 to 1870 and including their arms used in the two NZ land wars 1845-47 and 1860-72.

65th in Napier, Hawkes Bay Province c1864 with their Enfield Long Rifles and bayonets.
(courtesy National Library of New Zealand)

By the end of 1865, the Imperial forces in New Zealand totaled about 10,000 men, consisting of the 12th, 14th, 18th, 40th, 43rd, 50th, 57th, 65th, 68th, and 70th Regiments, two batteries of Field Artillery, and Royal Engineers and Military Train.

The presence of these troops in New Zealand became a problem for the British and New Zealand Governments. On the one hand, the Imperial Government was extremely critical of various aspects of the New Zealand Government's attitude towards the Maoris, especially over the matter of confiscation of land. On the other hand, differences of opinion developed over the tardy conduct of operations, for the colonists – in theory – were paying £40 per annum for an infantryman and £70 per annum for a gunner. These circumstances led to the adoption by the New Zealand Government, late in 1864, of its “self reliant” policy, the substance of which was to dispense with the services of Imperial troops and to trust to local forces and Maori auxiliaries to carry on the war. For its part, the Imperial Government welcomed the proposal, for it considered the colony with its growing population should be able to fend for itself. From 1866 onwards the gradual withdrawal of Imperial troops commenced, and after Chute's vigorous campaign in Taranaki, early in 1866, with mixed forces. Imperial and colonial, operations against hostile Maoris were conducted by colonial forces.

We understand from our own research that most, if not all British Units in NZ, were issued with Enfield Rifles and Carbines in 1858. We would like to confirm this. Assuming the Enfield range of arms replaced all previous arms in 1858 we also seek verification of the arms issued to / used by British Units in NZ from 1835 to 1858.

We are currently seeking information enabling us to verify all types of arms issued to the British Forces below that were in NZ:

• Royal Marines and Royal Marine Artillery - Serving on various Royal Navy ships. Served 1769, 1845 - 46, 1860, 1863 - 64 
• Royal Corps of Sappers and Miners - Served from 1835. In 1857 the Corps became the Royal Engineers 
• 96th Regiment of Foot (‘The Bendovers’) - Served 1841 - 1847
• Naval Brigade - Men from various Royal Navy and E.I.C. ships - Served 1845 - 1846, 1860 - 1864
• 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot (‘The Black Cuffs’) - Served 1845 - 1858
• Royal Artillery - Various detachments served 1845 - 1870 (from 1861, mainly 4th Brigade - C and I Batteries). Also served as cavalry in Taranaki and the Waikato.
• 99th (Lanarkshire Volunteers) Regiment of Foot (‘The Queen’s Pets’) - Served 1845 - 1847 
• Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps (military Pensioners) - four settlements established south of Auckland 1847-48

Additionally can anyone advise what arms the 50th Regiment had in 1834 when stationed in Australia. A detachment of the 50th were the first British troops to engage in conflict with the Maori in 1834 in what is known as the Harriet affair. We think this would be New Land Pattern or Indian Pattern Muskets, however it would be nice to have some documentary evidence for our research project.

Please write to: John Osborne - jcosborne@xtra.co.nz