Corporal Tikitanu, V.C.

In the early years of the Great War, a spirited young Māori man from the Waikato district finds himself caught between love and duty. Known for his quick wit and a knack for keeping the peace—whether settling a village dog‑fight or defending his sweetheart Kiri from a rival—he decides that a secret marriage will give him the resolve he needs to answer the call to arms. Their tender, moonlit conversations and playful promises set the tone for a partnership that will endure the distance and danger of a world at war.

Enlisting as a soldier of the King, he quickly adapts to camp life, earning the respect of his comrades and the nickname “Dickie.” His pride in his heritage and his determination to prove himself for Kiri drive him forward as the first Māori volunteers set sail for the front. The opening chapters blend humor, cultural richness, and the bittersweet tension of a young lover stepping onto a battlefield far from home.