Can you identify this NZ unit insignia?

[Tod Rathbone]

From what I can tell, the motto is in Maori. I don't know the unit. Can you let me know?

Thanks,

Tod

[ChrisB]

Hello,

The unit is the 3rd (Auckland) Mounted rifles. Formed 17 March 1911. In action at Gallipoli 1915 and formed part of the ANZAC Mounted Division in Sinai and Palestine 1916-1919. In 1921 became the 3rd NZ Mounted Rifles (Auckland).
Was latter (1944) absorbed into the 1st Armoured Rgt.
Hope this helps
Chris

[Tod Rathbone]

Chris,

Thanks for your help. Any idea when these insignia would date from or were they always the same for those 30 odd years?

Tod

[ChrisB]

Hello Tod,

Yes these cap & collar badges would have been in use from 1911 till amalgamation in 1944.

Here is a web page that might be of some interest.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-...nz-mounted.htm

Cheers
Chris