Exhibit captures a snapshot of war

FUN: Two NZ mounted riflemen joyriding at Ezbekieh Gardens in Cairo during WWI. The photo is part of the HEARTLANDERS New Zealanders of the Great War, the National Army Museum's travelling exhibition coming to Masterton next week.

HEARTLANDERS New Zealanders of the Great War, a travelling exhibition from the National Army Museum, is coming to Masterton.

The exhibition will be in the Town Square from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday, November 3 and is free to the public.

Marketing manager Nicola Bennett said "you could say that the museum is coming to Masterton for the day".

She said the region was chosen as one of the 12 North Island venues because of the "tremendous support" the museum receives from Wairarapa, "whether it's our displays at Wings Over Wairarapa, or the likes of our World War I Poppy Appeal, we have always had much interest from the Wairarapa community".

"The region also contributed to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War I."

The exhibition was built in containers and tells the stories of New Zealanders and their experiences of World War I.

HEARTLANDERS combines original war footage, period music, battle sounds and war artefacts to tell the stories of survivors and those who never returned to New Zealand. Masterton is one of 24 towns to receive the opportunity.

"We're hoping that Wairarapa people will take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn the New Zealand story as well as see a 'snapshot' of the wonderful museum back in Waiouru."