Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps (1847-1854)

Times were tough in Ireland in 1847 and when notices were distributed around all military barracks that a new body of ex-soldiers. to be known as the Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps, was to be raised to defend the new capital of New Zealand, Auckland, against the native tribes from Waikato and the Coromandel, many Irishmen flocked to join it.   Indeed of the final Corps of 780 soldiers, 63% were Irish, eleven coming from the 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot and one from the 6th(Inniskilling) Dragoons. 

Article reproduced by permission from author, Robin Hogg

The Sin of Cheapness Sermon that Changed a Nation

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On 2 December 2018 the BBC2 NI 'Groundbreaker' TV programme focused on Helen Waddell, a leading writer of both historical fiction and text books in the 1920s and 1930s.  Leading 21st century author Kate Mosse revealing why Helen Waddell still deserves to be read, honoured and cherished not only in her native province, but throughout these islands.


Early Policing in NZ: the Irish Influence

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Policing in New Zealand can be traced back to 1840 with the arrival from New South Wales, Australia of Lieutenant Governor William Hobson (RN) accompanied by six Constables (troopers). Policing in New South Wales had existed in various forms since the foundation of the colony in 1788. Initially it had been policed by Royal Marines (reluctantly on their part) but a cohesive Police Force as we would know it today did not come into existence until March 1862.