The tunnellers were the first New Zealanders on the Western Front. During the war, they engaged in a secret warfare, creating extensive underground tunnels and constructing bridges. They were also the last unit to return home after the armistice in 1919.
The descendants of the Tunnelling Company heroes have formed a committee to work towards the centenary of the Great War. Their plan is to erect a memorial to honour the men who fought an underground war. They are working with Hauraki District Council, Newmont Waihi Gold, Waihi Heritage Vision and other parties to develop a strategy that will identify a suitable location and appropriate memorial.
To visit the New Zealand Tunnelling Company website, click here.
Images courtesy of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company website.