Many small towns in New Zealand had their own "Dad's Army" during the second world war. But far from feeble and fumbling like those in the well-known TV series, the volunteers were highly trained and ingenious but had few resources, according to research. Country Life is in Halcombe which remembers their own Home Guard this year.

You can find photos, here.

With thanks to:

• Alex Short
• Wayne Short

The archival sound in this podcast is from the New Zealand National Film Unit film Citizen Soldiers (1942), which can be viewed via Archives New Zealand here

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details