From Field to Front
From Field to Front is a 45 minute documentary for TVNZ 1 playing on Anzac Day (25 April 2026) and TVNZ+
It follows the story of Dave Gallaher, captain of New Zealand’s 1905 ‘Originals’ All Black team. Considered the ‘father of the All Blacks’, Dave was not only a leader on the rugby field, but also on the battlefield. It was the later role that prematurely took his life in World War I. Presented by former All Black Captain Sean Fitzpatrick From Field to Front explores these two defining parts of Dave Gallaher’s life, and more, through a global soil exchange. Fellow former All Black Andrew Mehrtens assists in France.
With the blessing of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as kaitiaki of the whenua, the documentary follows the emotive removal of soil from Eden Park in New Zealand for gifting to three poignant places:
- Ramelton, County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland where Dave was born in 1873.
- Parc des Princes, the Paris venue where Dave played his last All Black test in 1906 against the French (in France’s first ever test).
- His grave at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Nine Elms British Cemetery in Belgium, nearby to where Dave was killed in battle in 1917.
In return, soil is gifted from these three places of significance to take back to New Zealand, as Sean symbolically 'brings Dave Gallaher home' to Eden Park. It is here that the soil is ceremonially interred under the turf in the centre of the field. It is put back into the same place that the soil was removed from a few months earlier.
Supporters
Funding a complex, global project like this can only happen with the help of good-hearted philanthropic people who understand the importance of telling this story and leaving something behind for future generations.
From Field
to Front
Has been made in association with
Two cornerstone funders in Hugo Charitable Trust and ANZ have made the project possible. Another steadfast key supporter is The Sir William and Lady Judi Gallagher Foundation. Other supporters are Barfoot & Thompson, Andrew Ritchie, Harrisons, Eden Park, North & South Trust, and Faull Farms Taranaki. Without all these supporters this project would simply not be possible.
Hugh Green, the founding inspiration of Hugo Charitable Trust, came to New Zealand from Donegal in Ireland - the same county as Dave Gallaher. We are grateful for their help in keeping the Gallaher connection alive between Ireland and New Zealand.
ANZ are proud to support New Zealander’s understanding of their WW I history through the story of men like Dave Gallaher and his fellow men who volunteered for service in WW I.