 The 28th ( Māori ) Battalion had its origins before the start of the Second World War . In mid @-@ 1939 , as war in Europe began to be seen as inevitable , Sir <unk> Ngata started to discuss proposals for the formation of a military unit made up of Māori volunteers similar to the Māori Pioneer Battalion that had served during the First World War . This proposal was furthered by two Māori MPs , Eruera <unk> and <unk> <unk> , and from this support within the Māori community for the idea began to grow as it was seen as an opportunity for Māoris to participate as citizens of the British Empire and to test their warrior skills . At first the New Zealand government was hesitant , but on 4 October , the decision was announced that the proposal would be accepted and that the battalion would be raised in addition to the nine battalions and support units that had already been formed into three brigades of the 2nd New Zealand Division . 
