When New Zealanders think of Anzac Day and Armistice Day, they’re reminded of soldiers who gave their lives in service of their country and a brighter tomorrow.
Often forgotten is the role horses played — and the fact that the vast majority of them never returned.
Noeline Jeffries and the late Ngāpare Hopa unveil Te Utu in 2017. Photo: Paula Stuart
Noeline Jeffries, who was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 2023 for services to equestrian sport and war commemoration, had often thought about this.
Now, there is a place in Hamilton’s Memorial Park where these service animals can be remembered.
“I think it’s important to remember the horses – they had no choice. There were 10,000 horses that went over to World War 1 and only four came back,” said Jeffries who is patron of the Waikato Combined Equestrian Group and War Horse group founder.
“One horse came back from the Boer War, Major – and 5000 went over.
“Because of quarantine regulations and other logistical issues, they couldn’t bring them back. Some were passed into local hands but many were put down. It’s so sad.
“The soldiers had to shoot their horses and of course, they couldn’t do it. So they would take their friend’s horse away and did it quietly.
“The troopers bonded with their horses. Even when they were short of water, a lot of them saved their shaving water to give to the horses.”
Hamilton Memorial Park on Anzac Drive. Photo: Jesse Wood
It saddens Jeffries to think about the horses enduring heat, sandflies, sand, dust, lack of water and the noises that come with a warzone.
On Armistice Day in 2017, the war horse Te Utu – the cost of war – was unveiled at Hamilton Memorial Park in front of 1500 spectators.
“The day we unveiled the statue, I was so grateful to how many people showed up and their kids all got photos on the horse after,” Jeffries said.
“The late Ngāti Wairere kuia Ngāpare Hopa unveiled the statue with me and the late Richard Stowers wrote a book about the journey – War Horse.
“We started fundraising in 2016 and Otaki-based artist Matt Gauldie only took nine months to complete the statue.”
Jeffries believes the statue is likely the first of its kind in New Zealand.
“There’s a memorial in Bulls for Bess, one of the horses that returned after WWI.
“There is also a horse commemoration statue made of horseshoes at Kaitīeke in the Ruapehu district.”
The war horse memorial statue was created by artist Matt Gauldie. Photo: Jesse Wood
Te Utu evolved from a letter Masterton’s Rodney Marton submitted to the New Zealand Riding Clubs’ December 2012 newsletter.
Marton pointed out the lack of national recognition for the thousands of horses who served in overseas battlefields.
“When I saw Rodney’s letter, I was absolutely wrapped because I’d been thinking the same thing myself. I immediately wrote back to him,” Jeffries said.
“I said it would be lovely if we had a war horse memorial in a park in Hamilton – not even dreaming that it would eventually end up in Memorial Park.”
Jeffries gained the backing of the Waikato Combined Equestrian Group, and the group asked Theatre of the Impossible Charitable Trust to manage the project, following its work on the Sapper Moore‑Jones statue in Hamilton’s CBD.
“Rodney was very keen to get it going and donated $5000 to get the ball rolling. I was chief executive of the Waikato Equestrian Centre at the time and we opened up an account,” Jeffries said,
“That Anzac Day, the equestrian centre had an Anzac ribbon day. They asked for donations towards the statue. We raised $250 and added Rodney’s $5000.”
WEC and TOTI went on to raise $220,000 and received Hamilton City Council approval for Gauldie’s “big awesome bronze war horse” to be installed in Memorial Park.
During the five years between Marton’s letter and the statue unveiling, Jeffries started a war horse march as a way to remember them.
“On Anzac Day in 2015, we started the march. We got 75 riders. They left the Waikato Equestrian Centre and marched around Pukete,” Jeffries said.
“From there, we developed a war horse march group that rode in the Anzac Day parade every year, until two years ago. It was decided by the organisers that the horses were a danger to the public.”
Hamilton Memorial Park on Anzac Drive. Photo: Jesse Wood
The group disbanded but the funds left are now used to lay a wreath in the Memorial Park every Anzac Day, in remembrance of the fallen horses.
“I’ve been invited to lay a wreath to remember the horses this Anzac Day service at Hamilton Memorial Park.
“It is so important to remember them. A lot of the riders were sad that we didn’t have a march anymore, but at least we can still lay a wreath.”
Marton passed away before the statue was completed, but thanks to his vision, Te Utu now stands for all to see and remember.
“Many people have said the statue is just amazing,” Jeffries said.
“People walk by and pause for a moment or photograph their children sitting on it. I think it must be one of the most photographed statues in Hamilton.
“It’s been donated to the city of Hamilton and the nation.”
Lest we forget.
Noeline Jeffries is proud to have played a part in the memorial coming to fruition. Photo: Jesse Wood
