War chronicle · 4–5 August · Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand at war
New Zealand must fight when the British Empire declares war on Germany.
The British Empire will soon strike out at Germany. And New Zealand, as a self-governing colony of Britain, will be automatically bound to fight by a decision made in London, over 18,000km away.
Britain has no formal alliance with any European power, but has become alarmed by Germany’s growing military might and ambitions to dominate Europe.
When Belgium is invaded, the British must take action – having signed an international treaty in 1839 guaranteeing Belgium’s neutrality and independence.
Britain gives Germany an ultimatum on the morning of 4 August – to start withdrawing their troops from Belgium by day’s end. The Germans ignore the demand. At midnight the British Government declares war on Germany.
Over in New Zealand, it is 3pm on 5 August when the governor, Lord Liverpool, stands on the steps of Parliament in Wellington to make an announcement. He tells an excited crowd of several thousand that the Empire – and by extension New Zealand – is now at war with Germany.
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