World war I ( the great war) was fought over the course of four years 1914 - 1918. Many countries participated in the Great War, including New Zealand. A small nation of just over one million people at the time who graciously sent over 100,000 men to war, all of which participated in the many battles of World war one. They participated in all the battle the Great War had to offer including Passchendaele. On the 31st of July 1917 was the first day of the battle of Passchendaele. A battle in which New Zealand saw their darkest day. Although War brought great sadness over the small nation, it was war that participated to the nationalistic views New Zealanders had of themselves they came out of the war not as a colony of England but as their own country, New Zealand.