Cook Islands Online Cenotaph
Preserving Cook Islands Military History​
Akara ki mua e akara katoa ki muri
To be able to look forward, you must be able to look back
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If you are searching for a person, please use the "Search Cenotaph" button by entering a name, a service number or an island name.​ If the name doesn't appear in "NAME" search, try searching for the name in "ALSO KNOWN AS".
About Us
Kia Orana. In 2016 we began researching Cook Islands World War One soldiers and their burial locations throughout the Cook Islands and overseas. We are now collating our World War Two research and this will be added to the website in due course.
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We have now documented and GPS'd the graves of over 320 WWI soldiers in the Cook Islands (Rarotonga, Atiu, Aitutaki, Mauke & Mangaia) and many overseas. We have done this research voluntarily for the people of the Cook Islands and it is now time to share our valuable research via this online cenotaph.
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One of our teams most significant achievements came in 2019 with the release of the report into our 2017 New Zealand Defence Force / Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) submission, which saw six Cook Islands WWI returned servicemen's graves become the first CWGC graves located in the Cook Islands. These soldiers all died before the 31st of August 1921 from an injury or an illness they contracted during their war service as per CWGC criteria. Three are located in Rarotonga, two in Aitutaki and one in Atiu. These graves will be cared for in perpetuity by the CWGC.​​
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Our Team
Cate Walker Project Coordinator, Brisbane, Australia. Graduate Certificate of Cemetery Practice (Deakin)
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Bobby Nicholas Head Researcher and expert Cook Islands genealogist, Auckland, New Zealand
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Paula Paniani Community Liaison, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
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Paul Morrissey Chief Navigator, Brisbane, Australia
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Julie Taripo Documentary Producer, Cook Islands Television, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
​​Click here to view our documentary series and field trips throughout the Cook Islands
Nikao Cemetery Rarotonga June 2016
L to R: Bobby Nicholas, Cate Walker, Paul Morrissey, Paula Paniani
Atiu Island Airport April 2019
L to R: Paul Morrissey, Cate Walker, Julie Taripo, Paula Paniani
Nikao Cemetery Rarotonga September 2024
L to R: Julie Taripo, Bobby Nicholas, Cate Walker, Paul Morrissey, Paula Paniani
Our Sponsors
From April 2019, we have been grateful to receive the following business and private sponsorships:​​​
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Tata Crocombe - accommodation sponsorship in Rarotonga and Aitutaki, website sponsorship, accommodation and return flights sponsorship from Australia to the Cook Islands (August/September 2024, April/May 2025, November/December 2025)
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Air Rarotonga - return flights to Atiu (2019 & 2025), Aitutaki (2019), Mauke (2022) and Mangaia (2023)
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Bank of the Cook Islands - accommodation, meals and vehicle sponsorship in Mauke (2022) and Mangaia (2023), and accommodation sponsorship in Atiu (2025)
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Eddie Drollet and Kave Ringi - accommodation sponsorship in Atiu (2019)
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Bergman & Sons - Cook Islands Black Pearls - signage in the Nikao Cemetery acknowledging the service of the Cook Islands WWI soldiers
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Island Car & Bike hire & Rarotonga Rentals - vehicle sponsorship November/December 2025
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Hon. Minister Mrs Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown - daily lunches and vehicle sponsorship in Atiu (2019) and vehicle sponsorship (2025)
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Tokoa Pera - vehicle sponsorship in Aitutaki (2019)​
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Vodafone Cook Islands - mobile phone data
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