Kiwis in Korea by NZ History Teachers’ Association & Korean War Legacy Foundation

A thoughtful look at New Zealand’s role in the Korean War, made easy to explore

Brand new with slight imperfections visible in the photos.

The Korean War (1950-1953) was a turning point in New Zealand’s foreign policy, highlighting a growing focus on Asia-Pacific and closer ties with the United States. Often called ‘The Forgotten War’, New Zealand’s engagement in Korea marked a shift in national identity and a commitment to the goals of the United Nations. Despite being notable as New Zealand’s first engagement under the banner of the United Nations, and the loss of 45 New Zealand servicemen as a result of the conflict, the Korean War remains an overlooked chapter in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history. 

This curriculum book aims to fill a gap in the current resourcing available to support the teaching of New Zealand’s engagement in the Korean War. It employs the C3 inquiry framework to draw on primary and secondary sources - such as oral histories, photographs and official documents - to answer the compelling questions posed by the authors. These inquiries are designed to help ākonga think historically by critically engaging with historical sources - evaluating evidence, considering multiple perspectives and analysing historical narratives. While particular chapters have been pitched at different levels of the New Zealand Curriculum, our hope is that teachers will pick up this resource and adapt it to meet the needs of their students. Each chapter can be used independently as an inquiry or combined to form a comprehensive unit of work. We hope that in using the resource, students will develop a rich knowledge and understanding of New Zealand’s participation in the Korean War and the legacy that flows from it.