Explore the Cook Islands' rich military history to uncover the stories of our brave soldiers. Lest We Forget their sacrifices and bravery. < Back Final rank: Title First name/s Title Last name Title Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps Title Also known as Title Date of birth Title Place of birth Title Date of death Title Place of death Title Death registration number Title Next of kin Title Headstone/grave location Title Archives New Zealand online service record Title Additional information Title Images and documents Image credits and references Heading 1 Further links Title

TearaiRIMA60765  3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tearai Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) RIMA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60765 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Rimaputa TUTAI Date of Birth About 19 years of age on enlistment 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 Ake, Mauke, Cook Islands (mother), Marairenga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19603736 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918, posted to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Suffered from both malaria and influenza. Discharged 20 March 1919. There is a headstone at the Ivirua Cook Islands Christian Church grounds in Mangaia inscribed with the name “T Rima” and the service number “60765”. However, the date of death inscribed on the headstone 02/05/1942 matches the date of death of Private Rimaputa TUTAI 60650 who is lying in an unmarked grave in the backyard at the house of Atetu Atetu in Ivirua Mangaia. We believe this headstone was for Private Rimaputa TUTAI 60650 buried in Mangaia, however was incorrectly inscribed with the service number 60765 Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TuaineISERAELA84517 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Lance Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tuaine Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) ISERAELA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84517 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Iseraela TUAINE Date of Birth 30 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 28/02/1921 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19210166 Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Iseraela (father), Ngarua (mother), Takaviri Iseraela (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20454205 Additional Information Attested 12 June 1918 in Rarotonga. Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 10 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918 and embarked on SS Paloona and arrived in Rarotonga 15 December 1918. Died in Aitutaki 28/ February 1921 of tuberculosis. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

AriaTOTOROAERE19234 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Aria Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TOTOROAERE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19234 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Totoroaere ARIA Date of Birth 1894 Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 02/04/1945 Place of Death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MANG19450001 Headstone/Grave Location Oriko, Mangaia, Cook Islands Next of Kin Naku (mother), Totoroaere (father), Matekapiti (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10238652 Additional Information Enlisted 1 July 1916 and disembarked at Suez on 27 December 1916. Admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance with pyrexia on 7 September 1917 and 9 September 1917 it was cabled to New Zealand in error that he has died of pneumonia. Transferred and admitted to various hospitals until 13 September 1918. Admitted to the Aotea Convalescent Home between 16 September 1918 and 23 September 1918 after which he was posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot. On 25 October 1918 it was confirmed that his reported death had been confused with another soldier and a retraction cable was sent to the Cook Islands. Embarked on SS Malta on 14 December 1918 and was discharged on 20 March 1919. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga records his name as “T. ARIA”. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Only one name recorded on enlistmentPIAPO19348 2nd Rarotongan Contingent  < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Only one name recorded on enlistment Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) PIAPO Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19348 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Piapo TAPUTU Date of Birth 1886 Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 24/09/1923 Place of Death Atiu, Cook Islands Death Registration Number ATIU19230179 Headstone/Grave Location Areora, Atiu, Cook Islands Next of Kin Taputu (father), Atiu, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19522662 Additional Information Enlisted in Rarotonga 1 July 1916. Embarked at Wellington 16 January 1916 and disembarked Suez from SS Malwa. Had a significant number of admissions to medical facilities, and embarked 21 May 1917 to return to New Zealand. Admitted to the Waikato Sanatorium in Cambridge for treatment. Discharged 20 September 1917 and returned to the Cook Islands. Died 24 September 1923 in Atiu of tuberculosis. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga records name as 'P. Taputu'. Listed on the Atiu cenotaph as 'PIAPO TAPUTU'. Grave photos take 2019 & 2025. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Temata VaipunuANAUPOU60725 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Temata Vaipunu Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) ANAUPOU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60725 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Tematavaipunu ANAUPOU Date of Birth 22 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 17/02/1957 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19570014A Headstone/Grave Location Taparere, Ngatiarua, Mauke, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tearii Vaine Anaupou (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11185819 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Embarked on SS Manukau at Wellington 13 June 1918 and disembarked at Suez ex SS Port Lyttleton 4 August 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Admitted to hospital 7 October 1918 to 25 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Date of death: 17/02/1957 (as per Cook Islands death register) 19/02/1957 (as per military headstone) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TupouTOROMONA19330 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tupou Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TOROMONA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19330 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Toromona TUPOU Toromoana TUPOU Date of Birth 1890 Place of Birth Rakahanga, Cook Islands Date of Death 1/10/1958 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19580029 Headstone/Grave Location Panama Catholic Cemetery, Panama, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tupou (father), Mareta (mother), Komera (grandfather), Manihiki, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10188441 Additional Information Enlisted in Rarotonga 1 July 1916. Disembarked ex Malwa at Suez 27 December 1916 and posted to New Zealand Training Unit and Depot Regiment. Detached to 97th Heavy Battery Royal Artillery from 11 October 1917. Admitted to hospital 2 March 1918 to 10 March 1918.Transferred to Rarotongan Company 2 April 1918. “Accidentally wounded” 14 April 1918 with "bomb blast and wound to hand" in Palestine. Admitted to 77th Casualty Clearing Station before being transferred to 43rd Stationary Hospital at Kilo 151 on 16 April 1918 and then to 27th General Hospital at Abbassia 18 April 1918 where he had fingers amputated.Transferred to the Aotea Convalescent Home 14 May 1918 to 17 May 1918 and then was at a rest camp from 19 May 1918 to 29 May 1918.Joined NZ Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot before rejoining the Rarotongan Company 12 August 1918. Embarked on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and was discharged 20 March 1919. Pension applied for in May 1919 and this was granted at 10s per week. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

KeithCOWAN23/389 New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion < Back Highest Rank: Rifleman First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Keith Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) COWAN Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 23/389 New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion Also Known As Keith Rueben COWAN Date of Birth 16/08/1894 Place of Birth Cook Islands Date of Death 18/01/1963 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1963/33735 Headstone/Grave Location Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Peter M Cowan (father), Rarotonga, Mrs B K Cowan (mother), Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13380837 Additional Information Enlisted at Trentham Camp 28 May 1915. Disembarked at Suez 1 November 1915 and embarked for France 6 April 1916. Wounded in action 15 September 1916 with a gun shot wound to left leg. Evacuated 16 September 1916 to 36th Casualty Clearing Station and on 17 September 1916 to the Liverpool Merchants Mobile Hospital and then to the United Kingdom on the hospital ship Brighton and admitted to NZ General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames 22 September 1916. Discharged to the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Brockenhurst 6 December 1916 to rejoin his unit. Discharged 23 May 1919. https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C41159?srt=relevance&n=23%2f389&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Only one name recorded on enlistmentTUPU16/1197 New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion, 1st Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Only one name recorded on enlistment Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TUPU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1197 New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion, 1st Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 1893 Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 27/12/1919 (Rarotonga grave) 08/09/1974 (New Zealand grave) Place of Death There are two gravesites for this soldier, one in Rarotonga and one in New Zealand: Tom TUPU (Rarotonga grave) Tetupu-O-Rongo RAKI aka Tupu RAKI/Raki TUPU (New Zealand grave) Death Registration Number Unknown (Rarotonga) NZ1974/38568 (New Zealand) Headstone/Grave Location 1) Behind Kavera Meeting Hall, Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands 2) Papatoetoe Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Ani (mother), Arutanga, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21348776 Additional Information Enlisted 27 September 1915. Embarked for France at Port Said 9 April 916. Medically boarded and found to be unfit for further service. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Rotorua 17 November 1916. Embarked at Wellington for Rarotonga on SS Paloona 1 March 1917. Discharged 26 March 1917. There are two headstone memorials/plaques showing the same service number for this soldier. The name on the granite military headstone in Rarotonga has been defaced. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TaeroTIONI TUTAI60781 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Taero Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TIONI TUTAI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60781 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth About 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Tahiti, Society Islands (French Polynesia) Date of Death 27/07/1951 Place of Death Rurutu, Tahiti, French Polynesia Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Tioni Tutai (father), Ngatangiia, Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE14376972 Additional Information On enlistment on the 12 March 1918 he was employed in Rarotonga. Embarked 13 June 1918 and disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Posted to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Admitted sick to 76th Clearing Station at Belah 13 October 1918 until 23 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1918. We have unconfirmed information that he may have passed away on 28 July 1951 in Tahiti, and we welcome any family to please confirm. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TIRO5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) T Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) IRO 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 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. 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

NatanaMARAMA5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Natana Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MARAMA 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 19/06/1948 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19480031 Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Marama (father), Te Paeru (mother) Link to Online Service Record Additional Information No online war service record Enlisted in Rarotonga 28 October 1918. Disembarked in Wellington 6 November 1918. Due to the signing of the Armistice on November 11 1918, he was discharged 13 November at Trentham Military Camp. Embarked on SS Moana for Rarotonga 30 November 1918 and arrived in Rarotonga 6 December 1918. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TitiaKOIA60673 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Titia Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) KOIA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60673 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 30 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 07/06/1925 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19250624 Headstone/Grave Location Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Across the road from the Hartel Shop in Tupapa near the fishing club. Next of Kin Koai (father), Mangaia, Rapotai (mother), Mangaia Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19315790 Additional Information Attested in Rarotonga 4 February 1918 and enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp in Auckland New Zealand 12 March 1918. Discharged as medically unfit 15 June 1918 in New Zealand and did not proceed overseas. Died in Rarotonga June 1925 of a cerebral haemorrhage. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at the RSA Nikao Rarotonga records name as “K. Titia Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

MoekaINGATU84545 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Moeka Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) INGATU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84545 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Moeka’a INGATU Moekaa INGATU Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment 27/01/1899 on headstone Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 24/12/1978 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19780001 Headstone/Grave Location Cook Islands Christian Church, Oiretumu, Mauke, Cook Islands Next of Kin Ingatu (father), Makitangata (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19784599 Additional Information Enlisted 10 June 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918 due to the signing of the Armistice that ended WWI. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Denis QuinlanO'BRIEN4/1534 Tunnelling Company, New Zealand Engineers, 9th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Regiment Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank: Lieutenant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Denis Quinlan Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) O'BRIEN Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 4/1534 Tunnelling Company, New Zealand Engineers, 9th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Regiment Rarotongan Company Also Known As Date of Birth 29/12/1871 Place of Birth Buller District, West Coast Region, New Zealand Date of Death 11/10/1957 Place of Death Buller District, West Coast Region, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1957/37733 First name spelt 'Dennis' on death registration Headstone/Grave Location Orowaiti Cemetery, Westport, Buller District, West Coast Region, New Zealand Next of Kin Rose Ann Hoey O'Brien (wife) Married in Queensland Australia 04/07/1897 Registration number: 1897/C/1326 Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21083400 Additional Information Enlisted 5 October 1915 and embarked at Auckland 18 December 1915 to disembark at Plymouth, UK, on 18 February 1916. Employed in New Zealand Tunnelling Company NZE and appointed Company Sergeant Major 11 December 1916. Detached for service in the Headquarters NZEF, London, on 28 February 1917 and then trained at the 4th Officer Cadet Battalion Oxford and promoted to 2nd-Lieutenant in the Wellington Infantry Regiment 17 October 1917. Returned to New Zealand on SS Tofua November 1917. Left New Zealand 13 June 1918 and arrived in Suez 3 August 1918 with the 3rd Rarotongan Contingent. Posted to Rarotongan Company 10 August 1918. Embarked on SS Malta for New Zealand 14 December 1918. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Headstone image source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166426625/denis-quinlan-o'brien Further Links Previous Next

TangiiaTEAITU60652 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tangiia Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEAITU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60652 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 1881 (as per civilian headstone) Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 14/05/1971 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO1971037A Headstone/Grave Location Behind the Cook Islands Christian Church, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tangimetua Teaitu (wife), Titikaveka, Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9798410 Additional Information 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 on the SS Malta for New Zealand 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

PaiTEIPO84543 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Pai Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEIPO Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84543 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 01/09/1899 Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 10/02/1919 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1919/675 Headstone/Grave Location Devonport (O’Neill’s Point) Cemetery, Bayswater, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Ngapuna (mother), Teipo (father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10174956 Additional Information Enlisted 12 June 1918 in Rarotonga and discharged 7 December 1918. Not listed on Atiu cenotaph April 2019. Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemoration: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/642940/pai-teipo/ Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Commemorative certificate courtesy of Commonwealth War Graves Commission: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/642940/pai-teipo/ Further Links N/A Previous Next

NgatitautuTAI60717 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Ngatitautu Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TAI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60717 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Ngati Tautu TAI Date of Birth 26 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 14/04/1962 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19620036 Headstone/Grave Location Ruatonga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Pukaia (wife), Tai (father), Te Paeru (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE18646175 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Returned to New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Date of death: 14/04/1962 (as per Cook Islands death register) 15/04/1962 (as per military headstone) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next