The first German migrants to arrive to New Zealand took place circa 1842. Between 1843 and 1914 around 10,000 arrived, mainly from northern Germany. During World War I, New Zealand declared war on Germany in August 1914 following Great Britains declaration of war. Soon after declaring war, New Zealand sent an expeditionary force and occupied the German Samoan islands. New Zealand soldiers also fought against German troops at the Western Front. Back in New Zealand, the government interned many Germans as enemy aliens on Somes Island and Motuihe Island.