Planning and building

On 24 January 1916, New Zealand’s largest World War One training camp opened in the Wairarapa district, built on both sides of the main road between Featherston township and the Tauherenikau River. It was Wairarapa’s biggest settlement for several years, at a time when Masterton, the district’s main town, had a population of 5,600. Men from the 10^th to the 43^rd Reinforcements left from Featherston to fight overseas. An estimated 60,000 men trained at Featherston, with thousands still there when war ended. Previously there had been a two-month camp in 1911, by Tauherenikau Racecourse, to train instructors for the new Territorial Army. From July 1915, mounted riflemen and infantry trained at Tauherenikau Camp, north of the racecourse, while Featherston Camp was being built. The rapid expansion of the army from the outbreak of war, and health problems at Trentham Camp in 1915, pointed out the need for more training camps. After looking at various sites, the Defence Department decided on a site east of Featherston. Land was bought and leased for the camp and training grounds. Building by the Public Works Department began in August 1915 and a railway siding from Featherston to the camp was constructed. By January 1916, barrack accommodation for 4,500 men was ready and soon after, Canvas Camp, housing about 3,000 in tents, was added. By 1917 there were over 250 buildings at the camp. (more…)