Battle fought on miniature stage
No blood will be spilt nor any books overturned when one of the colonial New Zealand Land Wars is played out in the Paraparaumu library today.
Otaihanga wargaming enthusiast Roly Hermans will recreate - in miniature on a table - the Battle of Boulcott’s Farm, which took place at Lower Hutt in May 1846; one of the conflicts between Ma¯ori warriors and British soldiers in the Wellington-Hutt War.
Today is the Raa Maumahara National Day of Commemoration of the New Zealand Land Wars. Hermans said his demonstration would provide an opportunity for people to learn about one of the wars in an entertaining way other than reading or watching a documentary or movie.
Put simply, wargaming involved two or more players moving armies across a table decorated with replica terrain.
‘‘It requires real tactics; a bit like chess but anywhere from dozens to thousands more pieces, and the use of dice and a rule book,’’ he said.
‘‘I enjoy the fact that to present a wargame accurately you need to do research. I’ve certainly learnt a lot more about our country’s history from this hobby.’’
However, Hermans enjoyed the artistic side hobby.
The wargaming figures measure just 28 millimetres tall and begin as silver-coloured tin. Hermans undercoats and paints them, replicating historically correct images from reference books.
‘‘It is quite time consuming and people often ask how long it takes to paint one, but I never paint just one at a time. I’ll do them in batches. But, for example, painting all the red parts on the figures could be a whole evening’s work. I also to the actually find it relaxing.’’
In 2015, he was part of a team of nearly 100 wargamers who painted 5000 54mm-tall figures for the Chunuk Bair diorama at Sir Peter Jackson’s Great War Exhibition in Wellington.
He helped organisers recruit the painters and then worked with Weta Workshop to help create scenery for the display.
‘‘It was a huge job. I think we stripped every modelling shop in Wellington, as well as Peter Jackson’s own collection - him being a model railway and modelling enthusiast himself. This project would have been the highlight of my wargaming. It was amazing.’’
Hermans joked that his wife ‘‘tolerates’’ his wargaming.
‘‘But, then again, I could have other time-consuming hobbies, such as being out all day on a golf course. And, although there is some cost involved, it’s not like doing up a vintage car.’’
❚ The Battle of Boulcott’s Farm re-creation is on today at Paraparaumu library from 10.30am to 3.30pm.