 In late 1863 , the New Zealand government requested troops to assist in the invasion of the <unk> province against the Māori . <unk> settlement on confiscated land , more than 2 @,@ 500 Australians ( over half of whom were from Victoria ) were recruited to form four <unk> Regiments . Other Australians became scouts in the Company of Forest Rangers . Despite experiencing <unk> conditions the Australians were not heavily involved in battle , and were primarily used for patrolling and garrison duties . Australians were involved in actions at <unk> , <unk> East , <unk> Hill , <unk> and Te <unk> . <unk> than 20 were believed to have been killed in action . The conflict was over by 1864 , and the <unk> Regiments disbanded in 1867 . However , many of the soldiers who had chosen to claim farmland at the cessation of hostilities had drifted to the towns and cities by the end of the decade , while many others had returned to Australia . 
