Sappers of the south: the origins and impact of the Corps of the Royal New Zealand Engineers

Abstract

This thesis traces the growth, leadership, changes in role, and strategic employments of the Royal New Zealand Engineers from their formation in 1902 until the present day. The writer has deliberately chosen to make his major concern the Corps development since the Second World War. However, because there was a military engineer presence in New Zealand prior to the Corps formation, indeed from the establishment of the first 'Redcoats' fighting force in New Zealand in the1840’s, a preliminary study has been done of the British and Volunteer New Zealand Sappers of the period prior to 1902. This thesis is intended as a contribution to New Zealand's sparse military history. Concentration on the post-war World War two period has seemed fitting in that, it is in this period that the Corps of the Royal New Zealand Engineers has provided specialist service, in diverse roles through the new regions of New Zealand’s strategic interest – South East Asia, the pacific and Antarctica.