This is the New Zealand government plaque indicating their role in the rebuilding.

This is the mass grave before the monument was built – probable some time in 1902.

In 1937 five New Zealanders visited the site. They were brought to the monument by Mr. Lombard who owned the farm where the battle had taken place. One of them was the brother of Farrier Leonard Retter who was a casualty of the battle of Langverwacht  and whose name appears on the monument. They found the monument to be in reasonable shape, looked after by the South African Police from Vrede. The original name plaque, made from a slab of sandstone was eroded and the names were illegible. A new plaque was made of white marble with inlaid lead lettering at a cost of £18. This is the plaque that has now been repaired and is now in the base of the obelisk.

On 22^nd February 2009 the monument was rededicated in a ceremony attended by almost 80 people. Speeches were made by the New Zealand High Commissioner, Geoff Randal, the Mayor of Vrede, John Motaung, and myself.

The last post was played and wreaths were laid on the monument as well as at the cemetery in Vrede.

Sky Sport New Zealand paid a visit in July 2009 as did Margaret Marks of the new Zealand Heritage Ministry.

New Zealand was the first of the colonial governments to offer troops for service in the war that seemed imminent between the British Empire and the Boer South African Republic. Prime Minister Richard Seddon’s motion to the House of Representatives received overwhelming support. Following the motion’s adoption the members rose to sing “God Save the Queen” and gave three cheers for Queen Victoria. Seddon referred to New Zealanders’ duty “as Englishmen to support the imperial cause.” New Zealand sent almost 6500 men and 8000 horses to South Africa. The First Contingent arrived on 23^rd November 1899 and was quickly followed by four more contingents early in 1900. When it appeared that the war was likely to be prolonged beyond the optimistic forecasts of the middle of 1900, further fresh troops were sent, the Sixth Contingent arriving in East London on 13^th March and the Seventh in Durban on 10^th May 1901.