Century after Māori soldiers served in France, cities sign sister-city pact
The cities of Rotorua, New Zealand, and Arras, France, have signed a sister-city agreement to honor the historical connection between Māori soldiers and French tunnellers during World War I. The partnership includes the creation of a Waka Maumahara memorial.
Why it matters
This pact strengthens international diplomatic ties and preserves the historical legacy of indigenous soldiers who served in European conflicts.
<p>Rotorua and Arras have become sister cities more than a century after Māori soldiers and New Zealand tunnellers served beneath the French city.</p> <p><b>By Mathew Nash, Local Democracy Reporter</b></p> <p>The agreement was signed at Te Puia on Friday during a visit by Arras Mayor Frédéric Leturque and French Ambassador François Decoster.</p> <p>It comes as work continues on a Waka Maumahara commissioned by Arras for installation at the Wellington Quarry memorial site. The site is where members of the Māori Pioneer Battalion and the New Zealand Tunnelling Company <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/04/16/tunnellers-honoured-for-first-world-war-sacrifice/" target="_blank">served before the Battle of Arras</a> in 1917.</p> <p>The cities’ connection dates to December 1916, when <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/08/05/king-tuheitia-delegation-retraces-steps-of-nz-maori-pioneers/" target="_blank">43 Māori Pioneer Battalion members were sent to help</a> New Zealand tunnellers beneath Arras.</p> <p>Together, they <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/04/25/french-delegation-travels-to-rarotonga-honouring-war-heroes/" target="_blank">expanded a network of underground chalk caverns</a> and tunnels that allowed Allied troops to assemble undetected before the battle.</p> <p>Many caverns were named after New…
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