The Maori Battalion's ceremonial mere (weaponry club made from greenstone) has been gifted to the National Army Museum in Waiouru for safe-keeping.
The Maori Battalion Association formally wound up in December.
National Army Museum director Ginette Richardson says seven veterans attended a ceremony at the museum on Wednesday to hand over the mere.
She says the mere is very precious taonga and the museum will be the kaitiaki (guardian) of it, so future generations may see it.
Ms Richardson says the mere will be given pride of place along with other artefacts from the Maori Battalion.
