In October 1914 the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) Main Body, consisting of 8,454 soldiers and about 3000 horses, departed Wellington in 10 troopships.

They headed across the Tasman to link up with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Together they set out across the Indian Ocean bound for France to join the British Expeditionary Force that had been deployed there.

WDC will be displayed these poppy flags along Rora Street Te Kuiti for the month of October.

The flags will be flown again throughout the district in April 2015 in the lead up to the Anzac Day Centenary.

The flags have been funded by the New Zealand Lotteries Board grant, for the World War One Centenary 2014 - 2019.

The WW1 Commemorations project is a way for our District to honor the brave soldiers (and their families) who lost their lives during the first world war.