This Imperial and Colonial Forces Memorial adjacent to the Old St John’s Church was erected in 1888 by the government to honour imperial and colonial troops, as well as kūpapa Māori who fought alongside government forces during the Waikato War including battles such as Rangiaowhia, Hairini, and Ōrākau in 1863–65. It is made of sandstone with a marble inscription panel and cross on a three-tiered base in the church cemetery.

Many of the men memorialized remain unnamed, and their remains are believed to be buried nearby. The site is of significant historical importance, as it reflects the complex legacy of the New Zealand Wars within the Waipā and the nuanced relationships between Māori and colonial forces.