Why have we forgotten the 1918 Influenza Epidemic?
Georgia Thompson
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The few memorials that are accessible to the public are brief and don’t have a great deal of information which educate New Zealanders on the effect the epidemic had on the nation. Therefore, this information does not push Kiwi’s to look further into their history and educate themselves on the history of their country. Many of these memorials are outshined by the commemorations and memorials to World War One which was ending as the epidemic became widespread. While looking at the memorials on the map it is clear that some of the memorials focus on individuals instead of the event as a whole. While these individuals are significant in the history of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic, it is important to note that they nowhere near as recognized as high-ranking military officials or English colonial figures who have commemoration memorials dotted all over New Zealand.
Another reason as to why the 1918 Influenza Epidemic is forgotten in New Zealand could be due to the racial divide between Māori and Pākeha in the early 1900’s. These race relations were similar to apartheid in South Africa and the racial injustices in the United States. During a time when Māori were seen as the inferior to the Pākeha, they were forced to live in poverty. |