Tunnelling Company commemoration in April

A commemoration for the 110th anniversary of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company will take place at 1pm on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Wellington.

2026 is the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the Tunnelling Company on the Western Front.

Event organiser Sue Baker Wilson invites the public to commemorate this occasion with descendants of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company and official guests.

The commemoration will include past and current serving NZDF personnel, and the official representatives and supporters from the Cook Islands, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom, as well as Chinese Anzac representatives.

The event received a Veterans’ Affairs’ Commemorative Project Contribution as it is recognising veterans' sacrifice. 

The World War One New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company (NZETC) arrived in France in 1916. They were the first NZEF unit on the Western Front. The first NZEF death on the Western Front was a member of this Company.

The Company existed only during the First World War, focused on specialised tunnelling work. The Company was made up of miners, quarrymen, and public works employees from around New Zealand who were experienced in digging and using explosives. They played a crucial role in the underground war around Arras, contributing to both offensive and defensive operations. Their work was vital in preparing for major offensives, including the Battle of Arras in April 1917.

More than 60 men of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company died during the unit's service on the Western Front.

Tunnelling Company Engineers, Avondale Camp, Auckland

The road tunnel that passes underneath the Pukeahu Memorial Precinct was named the Arras Tunnel in 2014 in memory of the efforts of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company.

For more information visit: https://www.nztunnellers.com/(external link)

Contact: Susan Baker Wilson (suebakerwilson@gmail.com)