AARIANA3rd Rarotongan Contingent No service number on RSA Roll of Honour board Nikao Rarotonga < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) A Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) ARIANA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 3rd Rarotongan Contingent No service number on RSA Roll of Honour board Nikao Rarotonga Also Known As Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death Unknown Place of Death Unknown Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Unknown Link to Online Service Record Additional Information No online war service record Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TukaroaNGAREA19282 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Lance Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tukaroa Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) NGAREA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19282 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Ngarea TIKAROA Tikaroa NGAREA Date of Birth 1894 Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 18/02/1974 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19740022 Headstone/Grave Location Muri, Ngatangiia, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Mary Marsters (mother), Tikaroa (father), Metua Tearikipati-Pati (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11308590 Additional Information Enlisted at Rarotonga 1 July 1916. Disembarked from SS Malwa at Suez 27 December 1916. Posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot before being posted to the Rarotongan Company 31 July 1917. Detached to 10th Heavy Battery Royal Artillery between 5 October 1917 and 9 November 1917. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Grave cleared to build a new house. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TeatamiraUANGAKORE5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Teatamira Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) UANGAKORE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Makirere TATA Date of Birth 12/01/1899 (as per headstone inscription) Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 03/05/1989 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Cook Islands Christian Church, Arutanga, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Next of Kin Unknown Link to Online Service Record Additional Information The 5th Rarotongan Contingent disembarked in Wellington 6 November 1918 and were discharged 13 November at Trentham Military Training Camp due to the signing of the Armistice on November 11 1918 that ended World War One. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TearikiMONGA84522 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Teariki Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MONGA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84522 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Teariki Monga Marokii PIAVAKA Date of Birth 04/04/1892 Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 16/12/1965 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19650026 Headstone/Grave Location Ureia, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Next of Kin Piavaka (father), Katapu-ki-te-Maraea (mother), Kauvai Monga (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19786157 Additional Information Attested in Rarotonga 12 June 1918. Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 10 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918 due to the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI. Date of death: 16/12/1965 (as per Cook Islands death register) 15/12/1965 (as inscribed on military and civilian headstone) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

FrankMEREDITH16/1376 16/1376A 4th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Frank Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MEREDITH Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1376 16/1376A 4th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company Also Known As Frank Cornwall MEREDITH Date of Birth 15/10/1894 (as per service record) 13/10/1894 (as per family history records) Family to confirm Place of Birth Apia, Samoa Date of Death 10/05/1963 Place of Death Apia, Samoa Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Samoa Next of Kin Mrs A.T. Meredith (mother), Leone, Pago Pago, Samoa Kakala Meredith AKA Clara Passi Meredith (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12496895 Additional Information Enlisted 6 January 1916 in New Zealand and as he was mixed race he was directed to be trained at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Embarked on SS Mokoia at Wellington 3 May 1916, disembarked Suez 23 June 1916, disembarked Southampton, United Kingdom 7 August 1916. He moved to France 28 August 1916 and joined the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 9 September 1916. On 27 April 1917 he was admitted to 2nd Canadian Stationary Hospital with pleurisy and was again admitted with the same condition on 21 June 1917 when he was admitted to the 2nd New Zealand General Hospital on 21 June 1917 and undertook a period of convalescence in United Kingdom. He rejoined the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion in France 26 April 1918 and was transferred to the Rarotongan Company 7 May 1918. He moved from Etaples to Marseille with Private Benjamin Wise 20803 and embarked in SS Canberra for Egypt 5 June 1918. Joined the Rarotongan Company 1 July 1918. Discharged 23 March 1919 and returned to Samoa on SS Talune. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Image credits: Annie Caffery Petaia Further Links Previous Next

Ettie AnnieROUTCivilian < Back Highest Rank: Civilian First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Ettie Annie Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) ROUT Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in Civilian Also Known As Ettie Annie HORNIBROOK Date of Birth 24/02/1877 Place of Birth Launceston, Tasmania, Australia Date of Death 17/09/1936 Place of Death At sea, Cook Islands Died by suicide (self administered overdose of quinine onboard a ship travelling to Aitutaki, Cook Islands) Death Registration Number RARO19360250 Headstone/Grave Location Cook Islands Christian Church, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Link to Online Service Record Additional Information WWI safe sex campaigner and founder of New Zealand Volunteer Sisterhood Awards: Medal of French Gratitude (1919) Mentioned in Dispatches (1917) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links https://youtu.be/eSJ_gpN_ZpA?si=BIQfQ9acP1UTBYD5 https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3r31/rout-ettie-annie https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/ettie-rout https://www.berrimadistricthistoricalsociety.org.au/poppy-seed-from-france/ettie-annie-rout/ https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/1760/ettie-rout-with-her-volunteer-sisterhood Previous Next

PaupauareTOKORUAKORE60693 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Paupauare Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TOKORUAKORE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60693 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 16/07/1977 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19770062 Headstone/Grave Location Unmarked grave located in the Vakapora Cemetery, Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tokoruakore (father), Mangaia, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE17208401 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Arrived at Suez 4 August 1918 and posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot 11 August 1918. Returned to New Zealand on SS Malta and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

MaretaRIA60697 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Mareta Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) RIA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60697 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 26/04/1976 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19760028 Headstone/Grave Location Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Ria (father), Piavai (mother), Sarah Marsters (daughter), Rauavivi (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11150255 Additional Information Attested 4 February 1918 in Rarotonga and enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918 and posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TSTRICKLAND5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) T Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) STRICKLAND Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Unknown Date of Death Unknown Place of Death Unknown Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Unknown Link to Online Service Record Additional Information No online war service record Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Edward ArrottREID71673 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Company Quartermaster Sergeant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Edward Arrott Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) REID Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 71673 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Ted REID Date of Birth 05/05/1881 Place of Birth Auckland, New Zealand Date of Death 21/10/1948 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1948/20515 Headstone/Grave Location Cremated remains scattered at Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Mrs J.E. Reid (wife), care of F.G. Smith, Taupiri, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10879179 Additional Information At enlistment was employed as a horticulural instructor, Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga. Enlisted 13 August 1917. Posted to 35th Reinforcements 15 November 1917 and then to Narrow Neck Military Training Camp as a Corporal 25 February 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company as Company Quarter Master Sergeant (CQMS) 18 September 1918. He replaced Sergeant Baisley Leger as CQMS of the Company. Returned on SS Malta and was discharged in New Zealand 7 Mar1919. Returned to Rarotonga in 1919 and was active in the RSA in the 1920s. Received the CQM (Commonwealth Queens Medal) on 6th May 1935 for services to the Cook Islands. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links https://ehive.com/collections/3023/objects/843504/edward-arrott-reid https://ehive.com/collections/3023/objects/844697/edward-and-janet-reid Previous Next

Tearai VaineMEAU19269 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Lance Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tearai Vaine Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MEAU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19269 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Meau Tearai VAINE Date of Birth 1894 Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 17/05/1937 Place of Death Atiu, Cook Islands Death Registration Number ATIU19370007 Headstone/Grave Location Headstone located under a tree at Areora Village, Atiu, Cook Islands. The headstone was removed from the grave to build a house; however, the house was never built. When our team returned to Atiu in April 2025, the tree had been lopped and the headstone placed under another tree nearby. Next of Kin Mrs Akatuko (mother), Atiu, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12350382 Additional Information Enlisted 1 July 1916 in Rarotonga under the name of Meau, however his first and last names were interchanged in his military documentation as the name Meau TEARAI is listed on the SS Malta embarkation roll. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 7 April 1917. Embarked for New Zealand on the SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Date of death: 17/05/1937 (as per Cook Islands death register) 16/05/1937 (as per headstone inscription and service records) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

MataorakoreMATEATEA84574 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Mataorakore Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MATEATEA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84574 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 36 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 19/12/1949 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19490087 Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Tinoparu Taku (sister) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10449473 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 10 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918 due to the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI. Embarked on SS Paloona for Rarotonga, and arrived in Rarotonga 15 December 1918. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

JohnCOULL22541 11th & 17th Maori Reinforcements 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) John Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) COULL Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 22541 11th & 17th Maori Reinforcements 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 01/03/1884 Place of Birth Aberdeen, Scotland Date of Death 20/5/1963 Place of Death Whanganui, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1963/42166 Headstone/Grave Location Aramoho Cemetery, Whanganui, New Zealand Next of Kin George Coull (father), Saint John's Hill, Wanganui, New Zealand Mrs Elizabeth Mary Coull (wife), Auckland Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12391069 Additional Information Enlisted at Trentham Camp 26 October 1915. Posted as 2nd Lieutenant to Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 24 July 1916 with Bush and Fromm and selected as a Reinforcement Officer for the 2nd Rarotongan Contingent 1 November 1916. Disembarked Egypt 27 December 1916 and posted to Rarotongan Company 28 December 1916 as a Platoon Commander. Tried by General Court Martial in Egypt September 1917 for drunkenness and found not guilty. He was the subject of an adverse report from Captain Bush and General Chaytor on his character and behaviour and he was returned to New Zealand on 25 October 1917. Discharged 9 January 1918 "service not required". Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Headstone image source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236771754/john-coull Further Links https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10060215 Previous Next

TaioriPAKU84544 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Taiori Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) PAKU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84544 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 03/03/1920 Place of Death Atiu, Cook Islands Death Registration Number ATIU19200095 Headstone/Grave Location Headstone is on Rarotonga with family (2024) Next of Kin Paku Tamauti (father), Takaiti (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19861586 Additional Information Attested in Rarotonga 12 June 1918 and enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 10 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918. Date of death: 3/3/1920 (as per Cook Islands death register) 15/12/1918 (as per headstone inscription) Pte. Taiori Paku is a brother of Pte. Teariki Kaokore Paku 19311. Not listed on the Atiu cenotaph April 2019 Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

EdwardWESTBROOK16/1229 3rd & 9th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank: Sergeant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Edward Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) WESTBROOK Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1229 3rd & 9th Maori Reinforcements, New Zealand Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company Also Known As Date of Birth 09/11/1890 (as per service record) Place of Birth Samoa Date of Death 17/02/1958 Place of Death Samoa Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Magiagi Cemetery, Apia, Samoa Next of Kin G.E.L. Westbrook (father), Samoa Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12401416 Additional Information Enlisted 26 October 1915 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. His occupation was a wheelwright. Promoted to Corporal at Narrow Neck Camp and embarked for Egypt 4 February 1916 on SS Navua, arriving on 15 March 1916. Re-embarked for France 9 April 1916 and was posted to New Zealand Pioneer Battalion. He embarked in the United Kingdom on SS Arawa 14 July 1916 to return to New Zealand with the Niueans and disembark in New Zealand 4 August 1916. He reported back to duty at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 25 September 1916 and embarked on SS Tofua 14 October 1916 to disembark in Plymouth, United Kingdom 29 December 1916. He left for France 1 February 1917 and was posted to New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 28 February 1917. He was detached to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918 and embarked for Egypt 21 January 1918 arriving at Alexandria 4 February 1918 and then posted to the Rarotongan Company on 5 March 1918. He returned on SS Malta and was discharged in New Zealand 7 March 1919. Served as Mayor of Aleise, Samoa from 1948. He died in Samoa 17 February 1958. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Image credits: Annie Caffery Petaia Further Links Previous Next

Find valuable resources and links on the Cook Islands' involvement in both World Wars. Learn more about our nation's military past. Chief of Defence Force announces Cook Islands inclusions to First World War rolls of honour Pacific Islanders in the NZEF Rarotonga – Pasifika involvement in the First World War Manava Toa: the Cook Islands in WWI Cook Islanders at War: From Rarotonga to Belgium 1917 Unknown Anzacs - Cook Islanders at war Recognition for World War 2 Cook Islands coastwatchers Pacific Islands Coastwatchers recognised World War 2 Pacific Island coastwatchers recognised after grandson's search for answers The War Years in Aitutaki. A coverage of events during World War II The Status and Service of Civilians In New Zealand’s Coastwatching Organisation during the Second World War First Cook Islands coastwatcher plaque unveiled in New Zealand New Zealand WWII Coastwatchers Coastwatchers - Operation Pacific

NoaNENA16/1192 New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, 1st Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Noa Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) NENA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1192 New Zealand Pioneer Battalion, 1st Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Teuru Nena NOA (as per headstone) Date of Birth 05/04/1893 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 15/09/1957 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1957/28257 Headstone/Grave Location Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Noa (father), Arorangi, Rarotonga, Meretonga (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11473791 Additional Information Enlisted in Rarotonga 28 September 1915. Disembarked from SS Navua at Suez 15 March 1916 and embarked for France as part of the NZ Pioneer Battalion from Port Said 9 April 1916. Admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance 16 October 1916 and then to the 8th Stationary Hospital on 23 October 1916 with bronchitis. Transferred from New Zealand Māori Pioneer Battalion 14 January 1918, embarked from France 21 January 1918, arrived Egypt 4 February 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 15 February 1918. Embarked on SS Malta 14 December 1918 for New Zealand and discharged 20 March 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TaoroTONGIA60776 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Taoro Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TONGIA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60776 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 29/06/1968 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19680052 Headstone/Grave Location Ruatonga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tongia (father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9912320 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 and embarked 13th of June 1918 to Suez. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918 and posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Unmarked grave (April 2024) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next