This project offers an unique collaboration between NZ and France - a fitting commemoration for this group of New Zealanders in the construction of a site of historical significance in preparation for the commemoration of the Battle of Arras in April 2017.
The collaboration is multi-layered, between our National School of Surveying and its French counterpart the École Supérieure des Géomètres et Topographes (ESGT Le Mans, France), with the city of Arras, with the Museum Carriere Wellington, with the descendants of the New Zealand Engineers Tunneling Company members, with alumni from Otago's School of Mines.
This project will unite surveying students from the National School of Surveying with their peers from the ESGT, who, with supervision from staff and academics from each institution will undertake a joint mapping survey to record this site of shared heritage.
To ensure this project meets the aspirations and needs of Māori by documenting specific achievements of men of the Māori Pioneer Battalion, we work closely with the University of Otago Ngāi Tahu Research Consultation Committee and the University of Otago Office of Māori Development to engage with iwi/hapū/whanau as directed.
