 After some debate, on 26 July 1950, the Government of New Zealand announced it would raise a volunteer military force to serve with UN forces in Korea.The idea was opposed initially by the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Keith Stewart, who did not believe the force would be large enough to be self-sufficient.His opposition was ignored and the government raised what was known as "Kayforce", a total of 1,044 men selected from among volunteers.