Korero (AEWS)

Korero, formerly known as the Army Education and Welfare Service (AEWS) Background Bulletin, is a bulletin of collated articles that was published and distributed to service personnel as background reading to the New Zealand Services Current Affairs Bulletin between January 1944 and August 1945 during World War II.

Published by the AEWS and printed by the Government Printer in Wellington, Korero was stated to be the AEWS Background Bulletin ‘enlarged and – it is hoped – improved’ (17 January 1944: 2). While the original background focused on international topics, Korero contained articles on more New Zealand topics.

All personnel were encouraged to contribute ‘articles, sketches, photographs, or black and white drawings’ (17 January 1944: 2) as well as ideas for inclusion to Korero. Articles throughout the publication were on a wide range of subjects, from small New Zealand industries, reporting from New Zealand Parliament, an explanation on how news from home gets over to the troops via airgraph, the impacts of war on family life and war memories from those who had served.

With the Current Affairs Bulletin publishing its final issue on the 23 July 1945, Korero followed soon after publishing its final issue on the 13 August 1945 with one of its articles outlining celebrations after the surrender of Japan.