This made the Nelson Battalion of Militia the first Army unit to be formed in the South Island and indeed one of the first in New Zealand.
The 2nd Battalion (Canterbury and Nelson-Marlborough, and West Coast), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment celebrates 12 August 1845 as the beginning of its preceding units.
All males between the ages of 18 and 60, excepting judges, members of the Legislative Council, Māori and clergymen were expected to make themselves available for 28 days service every year.
These Militia units were only permitted to operate within 25 mile radius of the settlement, and were consequently used mainly for garrison duties.
Whilst armaments were old flintlock muskets - weapons that had originally been imported for bartering with the Māori.