Author(s): Murray Moorhead
"Against a rich background of survival, hardship and pent-up dissatisfaction with the British handling of Maori, the Taranaki Rifle Volunteers fought not only the enemy but their own fears as their British protectors' focus made them easy targets. Confused and angry they struggled to drag themselves together as a unit. These brave men and boys ...earned the right to have the words 'New Zealand' displayed with honour on their regimental flag. This 'battle honour' and their motto Primus in Armis (First in arms) awarded in recognition of their stand at Waireka, made the Taranaki Rifle Volunteer Corps the first New Zealand military unit to see action, in a conflict that scars the nation to this day."--Back cover.