By 1938, as Japan extended its influence into China and Europe faced looming conflicts, New Zealand’s defence forces began emerging from a period of stagnation and neglect prevalent in the early 1930s. By mid-1939, efforts to modernise and equip the military were well underway, ushering in a wave of new weaponry and the need for robust ammunition management. This responsibility was initially shared between the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) and the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (NZAOC). Both entities swiftly expanded their personnel and infrastructure to address the escalating demands of the New Zealand Army, culminating in their amalgamation into a unified NZAOC organisation by 1945, tasked with overseeing all ammunition depots nationwide.

Pre War Situation

Fort Ballance

Upon its establishment in 1917, the NZAOC assumed control of the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) Ordnance Section at Fort Ballance. Renamed the NZAOC Ammunition Section, it continued storing, inspecting, repairing, and refurbishing ammunition as part of the NZAOC. Situated on Watts Peninsula at the northern tip of Wellington’s Miramar Peninsula, the ammunition facilities spanned several locations, including Shelly Bay, Kau Point, Mahanga Bay, Fort Ballance, and Fort Gordon. These sites were not just former submarine mining and coastal artillery fortifications from the 1880s but now crucial ammunition magazines. However, their conversion was makeshift; former gun pits at Kau Point and Forts Ballance and Gordon had their roofs added after removing large 6 and 8-inch disappearing guns in the early 1920s. This setup lacked adequate temperature and moisture control, posing risks to the stored ammunition.[1][2][3]

HopuHopu Camp

In the 1920s, Auckland hosted a smaller Ammunition section, with some personnel from the Fort Ballance Ammunition Section transferring to the newly completed magazines at Hopuhopu Camp by 1929. [4] Designed as New Zealand’s principal ammunition depot, Hopuhopu featured eleven magazines and a laboratory built between 1925 and 1927. These magazines were ingeniously constructed into the hillside using concrete with double walls, creating an inspecting chamber. The chamber allowed sentries to monitor temperatures with thermometers and adjust ventilation accordingly using a chart to maintain optimal conditions for stored stock. Positioned within the hillside and shielded by an embankment, the design of the Hopuhopu magazines ensured that any blast from an explosion would be safely contained.[6]

In 1931, the NZAOC Munitions sections were disbanded due to government budgetary constraints. Nearly all NZAOC military personnel were either transferred to the Public Service as civilian staff at reduced pay rates or placed on superannuation. [7]

When New Zealand entered the war in September 1939, responsibility for ammunition was divided between the RNZA and the NZAOC.[8]

• The Director of Artillery, reporting to the General Officer Commanding, oversaw:
  • Provision and allocation of gun ammunition,
  • Receipt, storage, and distribution of gun ammunition and explosives, excluding small-arms ammunition.

• The Director of Ordnance Services, supported by the Inspecting Ordnance Officer and the SAA Proof Officer, reported to the Quartermaster-General and was responsible for:
  • Inspection and repair of gun ammunition,
  • Provision, receipt, storage, and distribution of small arms ammunition

Ammunition facilities shared between the RNZA and NZAOC included:

Key personnel in the NZAOC Ammunition unit included:[9]

• Inspecting Ordnance Officer (IOO)
  • Captain I.R. Withell, R.N.Z.A.
• Proof Officer, Small Arms Ammunition (SAA), Mount Eden Auckland,
  • Honorary Lieutenant J.W. Fletcher, N.Z.P.S.
• Waikato Camp, HopuHopu- 11 magazines and an Ammunition Laboratory
  • RNZA WO1 seconded to the NZAOC
  • Mr Clifford Vernion Little
  • Mr Edward Ashton Waters
• Fort Ballance – 19 magazines, one store, and an Ammunition Laboratory
  • RNZA WO1 seconded to the NZAOC
  • Mr Harry Harper Ekins
  • Mr John Dennis Anderson
  • Mr Earnest Fenton
  • Mr Frederick Eastgate
  • Mr Eric  Baguley
• Trentham Camp – Single SAA Magazine
• Burnham Camps – Single SAA Magazine.

1940-41

As the New Zealand Army transitioned from peacetime to wartime footing, responsibilities for Ammunition were divided between the Assistant Quartermaster General (2) (AQMG(2)) and Assistant Quartermaster General (5) (AQMG(5)).[10]

AQMS(2)

Lieutenant Colonel T.J. King, Director of Ordnance Services (DOS), was transferred to the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF). Consequently, the position of DOS remained vacant for the duration of the war, and his responsibilities were redistributed as follows:

• The Chief Ordnance Officer took over the DOS’s supply functions, including overseeing NZAOC Munitions Sections, primarily responsible for Small Arms Ammunition (SAA).
• The Ordnance Mechanical Engineer (OEM) assumed responsibility for Ordnance Workshops.
• The Inspecting Ordnance Officer and the Proof Officer SAA were placed under the Chief Munitions Officer within the Army Inspection Department. They were tasked with the technical management and inspection of ammunition.

AQMS(5)

• The AQMS(5) was responsible for the Army Headquarters Gun Ammunition and Equipment Section.

Due to the significant influx of overseas ammunition, there was an urgent need to expand the NZAOC Ammunition section and build additional magazine storage facilities. Immediate action was taken by constructing eight magazines at Burnham Camp, acquiring six Magazines, and a Store at the Ohakea Royal New Zealand Air Force Base. These facilities were originally part of a pre-war expansion initiative. At Ohakea, ten magazines were completed by 1940, while construction of eight magazines north of Burnham Camp began in 1940 and finished by May 1941. [11]

The stock of Artillery Ammunition on hand in New Zealand on 30-Jun-41 consisted of the following natures;

• Field Artillery
  • 60 pr -. 2,704 Rounds
  • 6″  How – 6268 Rounds
  • 4.5″ How – 14,074 Rounds
  • 3.7″ How – 2,589 Rounds
  • 18 pr – 45,285 Rounds
• Coast Artillery
  • 6″ – 5,529 Rounds
  • 6″ EOC – 310 Rounds
  • 4″ – 4,531 Rounds
  • 12 Pdr – 2,595 Rounds
  • 6 Pdr  Hotch – 1,775 Rounds
• Anti Aircraft
  • 3″ 20 cwt – 22,639 Rounds

By October 1941, the NZAOC Ammunition Section establishment and Magazine situation was[12]

NZAOC Staff at Army Headquarters

• 1 Captain
• 1 Lieutenant
• 1 Other Rank

Fort Ballance

• NZAOC Strength:
  • 4 Military Staff
    • Lieutenant Edkins
    • Staff Sergeant Eastgate
    • Sergeant Anderson
    • Corporal Bagley
  • 10 Civilian Staff
• Buildings: 19 Magazines, 1 Store, 1 Laboratory
• Ammunition held: Grenades, Bombs, Pyrotechnics and explosives
• Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, major repair to Gun Ammunition, Manufacture of Blank Gun Ammunition

Fort Balance continued to be utilised as an Ammunition Depot throughout the war and, in October 1942, held the following stocks as part of the Wellington Fortress area: [13]

• 2″ Mortar – 288
• 3″ Mortar – 280
• 2″ Smoke Thrower – 1566
• Grenades 36M – 312
• 18-Pdr –  15839
• 12-Pdr – 1035
• 6″ – 403
• 5″ How – 20035
• 7″ How –  172
• 7″ AA –  198
• 40mm AA –  4091
• 3″ AA –  5775
• 2-Pdr AT –  3459

Hopuhopu (including Mount Eden SAA Magazines)

• NZAOC Strength:
• 2 Military Staff
  • Warrant Officer Class One Little
  • Sergeant Waters0
• 2 Civilian Staff
• Buildings: 13 Magazines, 1 Laboratory
• Ammunition held: Gun Ammunition, Grenades, Bombs, Pyrotechnics and explosives
• Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of all Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, minor repair to ammunition,

Burnham

• NZAOC Strength: 1 Sergeant employed as part of the New Zealand Temporary Staff
• Buildings: 7 Magazines, 1 laboratory (on magazine converted to a lab, the purpose-built laboratory was not construed until 1945)
• Ammunition held: Gun Ammunition, Grenades, Bombs, Pyrotechnics and explosives
• Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, major repair to Gun Ammunition,

Ohakea

• NZAOC Strength: 1 Sergeant employed as part of the New Zealand Temporary Staff
• Buildings: 6 magazines, 1 Store
• Ammunition held: Gun Ammunition only
• Work Carried out: Receipt and Issue of Ammunition, preservation of ammunition held, major repair to Gun Ammunition

Further construction of magazines was planned with the War Cabinet granting expenditure in September 1941 for an extensive magazine building programme at the following locations;

• Papakura (Ardmore)- 8 Magazines
• Hopuhopu – 11 Magazines, 1 Laboratory, 3 Stores
• Waiouru – 13 Magazines, 1 laboratory and 1 Store
• Manawatu – 10 Magazines, 1 laboratory and 1 Store
• South Island – 8 Magazines, 1 laboratory and 1 Store

1941 Magazine Design

Designed by the Public Works Department in consultation with Army Headquarters, six designs were utilised, known as types A to F:[14]

• Type A – 12.19m x 6.70m, double brick walls with a corrugated asbestos roof, and an entrance porch.
• Type B – 12.19m x 6.70m, Double brick walls with a corrugated asbestos roof, no entrance porch.
• Type C – 6.70m x 57m, Brick cavity walls with a corrugated asbestos roof.
• Type D – 15.24m x 9.75m, Brick cavity walls with a corrugated asbestos roof, with an entrance porch
• Type E – 15.24m x 9.75m, Single timber walls with exterior cement fibre boards and corrugated asbestos roof.
• Type F – 15.24m x 9.75m, Double timber walls with exterior cement fibre boards and corrugated asbestos roof.

Significant establishment changes were also proposed, with an increase of the NZAOC establishment to 3 Officers and 62 other ranks, including all civilian ammunition staff not being placed into uniform retired.

1942

In December 1941, New Zealand had been involved in the war in Europe for over two years, but it had not yet required full mobilisation. However, Japan’s almost simultaneous attacks on Malaya and the Philippines, followed by their rapid advance southward, forced New Zealand to transition to a total war footing. This meant mobilising the territorial army and creating additional divisions for home defence and service in the Pacific.[15]

In response to the urgent need for ammunition storage at Waiouru, the construction of 16 temporary ammunition stores was authorised in April 1942. Completed by 18 July 1942, these temporary wooden stores, each measuring 9m x 6m, were situated south of the main camp..[16]

1942 Magazine Design

With Japan entering the war, new magazines were approved. Due to the increased threat posed by Japan, the latest magazines were designed with the intent of providing additional protection and were known as types M, PS, PD, R1, R2 and R3;[17]

• Type M – 7.18m wide of variable length, precast concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars.
• Type PS – 7m wide of variable length, precast concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars
• Type PD – 14m wide of variable length, precast concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars
• Type R1 – 7.62m wide of variable length. Concrete walls and roof supported by interior pillars.
• Type R2 – 7.62m wide of variable length, Brick walls with a Concrete roof supported by interior pillars.
• Type R3 – 7m wide of variable length, Concrete outer wall with an inner brick wall with a concrete roof supported by interior pillars.

In addition to the 295 magazines that were constructed, numerous non-explosive stores, guard accommodations, garages and cookhouses, and external and internal roads were also built. The non-explosive stores were typically 6m x 9m, constructed of unlined timber walls with an asbestos roof. The laboratory was 13m x 6m with cavity walls with an asbestos roof.

With construction started in early 1942, wartime conditions, competition for material and manpower priorities and the challenging and isolated locations of some of the sites meant that the final construction was not completed until late 1944.  The final tally of magazines constructed across eleven locations was[18]

• Papakura (Ardmore)- 20 Magazines
• Hopuhopu and Kelms Road – 55 Magazines
• Waiouru – 45 Magazines
• Makomako – 39 Magazines
• Trentham(Kuku Valley) – 22 Magazines
• Belmont – 62 Magazines
• Glen Tunnel – 16
• Mount Somers – 10
• Fairlie – 9
• Alexandra – 9

During the same period, magazines and other ammunition infrastructure were also constructed for the Navy, Air Force and United States Forces in many locations across the country, of which the NZAOC also utilised some

The increase in Ordnance Depot Establishments

As of 22 July 1942, the approved establishment of the NZAOC Depots was 435, consisting of 18 Officers, 47 other ranks and 370 civilians. Approval was granted on 8 August 1942 to increase and fully militarise the establishment of the NZAOC. The increase in the establishment was required to provide adequate staff for the four Ordnance Depots, with an ability to surge personnel into Advanced Ordnance Depots at Whangarei and Blenheim in support of the Home Defence Divisions. The authorised establishment for NZAOC Depots (including Ammunition Sections), was increased to be a fully militarised establishment of 1049 Officers and Other Ranks.[19]

	Officers	Other Ranks	Total
Main Ordnance Depot	19	556	575
Ordnance Depot Northern District	4	182	186
Ordnance Depot Central District	3	81	84
Ordnance Depot Southern District	4	200	204
Total	30	1019	1049

1943

Waiouru

• Construction of the following ammunition infrastructure was completed on 5 February;[20]
• One type B magazine
• Eleven type D magazines
• Laboratory
• Non-Explosive Store

Followed by the completion of the following magazines in October 1943;

• Two type D magazines
• Four type E magazines
• Four type F magazines

Makomako

The construction of Makomako was completed in March 1943.[21]

Mount Somers

The development of Mount Somers was completed in March 1943.[22]

Glentunnel

The development of Glentunnel was completed in August 1943.[23]

Fairlie

Development was Authorised in Decemberr1942, with development completed during 1943.[24]

Alexandra

Construction of nine 18m long R2 Type magazines, a laboratory and a non-explosive store was completed in November 1943.[25]

Kaikorai Valley (Dunedin)

Selected as the site of an ammunition Depot in early 1942. Seventeen temporary Wooden Ammunition Shelters and five temporary wooden explosive stores were constructed along with a quantity of supporting infrastructure, including a road named “Ammunition Track”, the only trace left today. Possibly due to its close proximity to the coast and the threat of Japanese Air raids, the permanent Ammunition depot was built further inland at Alexandra.[26]

Dates for the completion of the construction of the Ardmore, Ngawahiwaia, Kelm’s Road and Kuku Valley magazines are not detailed in the Public Works history but were during 1943.[27]

Army Inspection Department adopted the NZOC Badge

Due to the close association of the Army Inspection Department with Ammunition, the Chief Munitions Officer requested the Chief Ordnance Officer in 1943 that the Army Inspection Department be granted permission (granted) to wear the Cap Badge and puggaree of the New Zealand Ordnance Corps (NZOC). [28]

1944

Waiouru

Construction of the following was completed by May 1944.

• Five type R1 magazines
• Fourteen type R2 magazines
• One type of R3 magazine

Belmont

Construction of the Belmont Ammunition area began in November 1942 and was completed by November 1944.[29]

Infrastructure at Belmont included;

• Over 5 Km of roads
• Cookhouse, Mess rooms, Ablutions, recreation room and sleeping accommodation
• Laboratory
• 51 P-Type Magazines 50, 60 and 100ft in length
• 1 R3-Type Magazine
• 10 M-Type Magazines (competed post 1944)

1945

From mid-1945, discussions started to take place on the post-war shape of the NZAOC. Some thought was given to returning the NZAOC to its pre-war status as a predominantly civilian organisation. Reality prevailed, and the future of the NZAOC was assured as a feature of the post-war army. It was estimated that at least three years of work were required to inspect and refurbish ammunition returned from units that had been demobilised, in addition to maintaining existing stocks of unused ammunition.[30] The proposed establishment for NZAOC Ammunition units saw the first widespread use of the terms IOO (In the context of the modern Ammunition Technical Officer) and Ammunition Examiner (Ammunition Technician). 1945 saw the completion of the ammunition infrastructure works first authorised in 1941.

Burnham

Construction of Non-explosive store and laboratory completed

Transfer of Ammunition and Equipment Section to NZAOC

Before the Defence Act of 1909, which created the modern New Zealand Army framework, there had long been a division of responsibilities for managing Ammunition. Traditionally, the provision, allocation, receipt, storage and issue of Gun (Artillery) Ammunition had been an Artillery responsibility, with the Management of Small Arms Ammunition responsible for the Defence Stores/Ordnance Corps. 1 June 1945, the NZAOC assumed responsibility for managing all Army ammunition. The Artillery element responsible for managing Gun Ammunition, the Ammunition and Equipment Section, was transferred from the control of Army Headquarters to the Chief Ordnance Officer. As a result of the transfer, 11 Officers and 175 Other Ranks of the Royal New Zealand Artillery were absorbed into the NZAOC establishment.[31]

Ordnance Takes Full Control

On November 15, 1945, the Chief Ordnance Officer assumed responsibility for the care, maintenance, accounting, and storage of all ammunition and explosives.

Control of ammunition was to be undertaken by.

• The IOO Section and
• The Ammunition Section

IOO Section

The IOO Section, administered by the CIOO, was responsible for [32]

• The control of all work on ammunition for all purposes other than accounting and storage,
• Maintenance of ammunition and explosives in stock in a serviceable condition and ready for use,
• Provision of personnel for inspection and repair and for working parties to carry out repairs,
• Provision of all equipment and stores required for the inspection and repair of ammunition,
• Provision and accounting for Motor Transport necessary for the transport of stock for inspection and repair,
• Administration and control of Repair Depot Trentham,
• Maintenance of buildings at Repair Depot Trentham.

Ammunition Section

The Ammunition Section was responsible for [33]

• The accounting, storage and care of ammunition and explosives
• Maintenance or magazines areas and of buildings and services connected with the storage of ammunition and explosives,
• Administration of personnel of the IOO Section, while attached to ammunition depots concerning pay, rations, quarters, clothing and discipline
• Transport arrangements for the movement of ammunition are not connected to the inspection and repair of ammunition at depots.

Notes

[1] Russell Glackin, In Defence of Our Land: A Tour of New Zealand’s Historic Harbour Forts (Auckland, N.Z.: Penguin Group (NZ), 2009, 2009), Bibliographies

Non-fiction, 48-53.

[2] Kiri Petersen Cathryn Barr, “New Zealand Defence Force Heritage Management Plan Forts Ballance and Gordon” (Hamilton: Opus International Consultants Limited 2009), 2-5.

[3] Tony Walton, “Wellingtons’ Defences: A Reconnaissance Survey of the Fortifications or 1884-1945,” Archaeology in New Zealand 33 (1990): 87-99.

[4] At different times referred to as Waikato or Ngawahawia Camp

[5] “Modern Military Camp,” New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929.

[6] “Dominions Ammunition Depot,” Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 8 April 1925.

[7] Joseph S. Bolton, A History of the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (Wellington: RNZAOC, 1992), 84.

[8] “Regulations for the Military Forces of the Dominion of New Zealand.,” New Zealand Gazette no. 32, (1927).

[9] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6,” Defence Archives, Archives New Zealand  (1937).

[10] Ibid.

[11] F Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department (PWD, 1948), 529.

[12] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6.”

[13] Howard Weddell, Trentham Camp and Upper Hutt’s Untold Military History (Howard Weddell, 2018), Bibliographies, Non-fiction, 160.

[14] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 517.

[15] Peter D. F. Cooke, Defending New Zealand: Ramparts on the Sea 1840-1950s (Wellington, N.Z.: Defence of New Zealand Study Group, 2000, 2000), Bibliographies

Dictionaries

Non-fiction.

[16] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 521.

[17] Ibid., 518.

[18] Ibid., 517.

[19] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6.”

[20] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 521.

[21] Ibid., 523-24.

[22] Ibid., 528.

[23] Ibid., 527.

[24] Ibid., 530.

[25] Ibid., 532.

[26] Ibid., 519.

[27] Ibid., 520.

[28] “Badges and Buttons – Regimental, Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps 1936-1967, 92 /   213/12/19,” Defence Archives, Archives New Zealand  (1936).

[29] Grattan, Official War History of the Public Works Department, 524-26.

[30] “Establishments – Ordnance Corps Ad1 493 / 228/2/6.”

[31] Ibid.

[32] Ibid.

[33] Ibid.