TokiTEARIKI84529 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Toki Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEARIKI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84529 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Teariki TOKI Paulo Teariki Taurakira TOKI Date of Birth 31/08/1899 Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 08/11/1978 Place of Death Atiu, Cook Islands Death Registration Number ATIU19780002 Headstone/Grave Location Catholic Cemetery, Atiu, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tokerau Toki (father), Tapapa (mother), Verokura (wife, as per headstone inscription) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10865087 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. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Rarotonga records name as 'T TOKI'. Listed on the Atiu cenotaph as 'TEARIKITAURAKIRA TOKI'. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TearikiURIKAPU19338 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Teariki Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) URIKAPU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19338 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Teariki Pa PUIA Teariki Puia TURU Date of Birth 1895 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 26/07/1980 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19800039 Headstone/Grave Location Opposite Panama Catholic Cemetery, Panama, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Turu (father), Rapea (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10425716 Additional Information Enlisted 1st of July 1916. Disembarked at Suez 27 December 1916 and posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot. Admitted to 26th Stationary Hospital, Ismalia 15 March 1917. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 5 March 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918. Discharged 20 March 1919. Initially listed as died in Atiu 10 June 1930 under the name of Puai Tua, however the SS Malta Roll has the surname as Urikapuia. In February 1933 War Graves Department then advised that 19338 Puai TUA has the same regimental number as Teariki Urikapu. In October 1933 the Resident Commissioner of Atiu advised the correct name should be Puia Tua and he was alive so no further action was to take place. His personal service file stated he died 10 June 1930. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga records his service number as 19388 which is incorrect as that service number belongs to a New Zealand Māori soldier. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TaiNICHOLAS60677 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tai Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) NICHOLAS Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60677 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Tai KAITARA Date of Birth 22 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 11/01/1946 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19460170 Headstone/Grave Location Ruatonga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Kikaitara Nicholas (father), Avatiu, Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19805340 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 for New Zealand per 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

OnoTAAKI60743 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Lance Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Ono Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TAAKI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60743 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 28 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 03/12/1943 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19430062 Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Patara (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9818109 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 12 March 1918 and posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Admitted sick to a field Ambulance between 3 and 5 October 1918 and admitted to the ships hospital on SS Malta for NZ 19 December 1918. Discharged 20 March 1919. 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 enlistmentARII16/1139 "D" Coy., 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) ARII Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1139 "D" Coy., New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion, 1st Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Ara ARII Date of Birth 1892 Place of Birth Mitiaro, Cook Islands Date of Death 24/08/1916 Place of Death France Death Registration Number NZ1918/59643 (New Zealand post war death registration) Headstone/Grave Location Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, Nord, France Next of Kin Pito Vaine (friend), Rarotonga, Takake (brother), Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11184768 Additional Information Enlisted 27 September 1915 in Rarotonga. Disembarked from SS Navua at Suez 15 March 1916 and embarked with the New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion for France 9 April 1916. Admitted to the 50th Northumberland Casualty Clearing Station 19th of August 1916, and declared dangerously ill with pneumonia 21 August 1916. Died 24 August 1916 in France. Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemoration: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/44216/ara-arii/ "Son of the late Taiki and Kainga Arii, of Rarotonga, Cook Islands" Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Headstone image credit: https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/ara-arii Commemorative certificate image courtesy of Commonwealth War Graves Commission Further Links N/A Previous Next

AioTARIPO60727 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Aio Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TARIPO Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60727 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 11/11/1898 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 30/08/1959 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19590057 Headstone/Grave Location Taputapuatea Burial Ground, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Taripo (father) born Tahiti, Society Islands, Tauira (mother) born Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19445958 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918. Disembarked in Suez 4 August 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Admitted to hospital 26 September 1918 and again with pyrexia in Gaza 30 September 1918 and with malaria 1 October 1918. Discharged to duty 2 October 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14th of December 1918. Discharged 20th of March 1919. Date of death: 30/08/1959 (as per Cook Islands death register) 31/08/1959 (as per military headstone) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Findlay JohnMONTGOMERY2/810 New Zealand Field Artillery < Back Highest Rank: Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Findlay John Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MONTGOMERY Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 2/810 New Zealand Field Artillery Also Known As Date of Birth 23/03/1894 (as per enlistment) New Zealand Births, Deaths, Marriages records year of birth as 1895 Place of Birth Palmerston North, New Zealand Date of Death 03/10/1963 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19630073 Headstone/Grave Location Headstone location: RSA Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Elizabeth Montgomery (wife) Marion Jane Freeman (mother) John Montgomery (father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13493306 Additional Information Rank is listed as Corporal on WWI discharge. Rank of Gunner on headstone plaque. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Further Links Previous Next

RingiaREKE84555 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Ringia Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) REKE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84555 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 28 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 09/03/1933 Place of Death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MANG19330004 Headstone/Grave Location Poeaiai Rd, behind Babe’s Hotel, Tavaenga Rd, Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands Next of Kin Reke (father), Vaikeiti (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19603873 Additional Information Attested at Rarotonga 12 June 1918 and enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 10 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

PipikiMUITI19295 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Pipiki Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MUITI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19295 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 1896 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 25/05/1963 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19630025 Headstone/Grave Location Takuvaine Valley Cemetery, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Mrs Tangi (wife), Rarotonga, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20477157 Additional Information Enlisted 1 June 1916 and arrived in Egypt 27 December 1916. Posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot from 27 December 1916 to 27 July 1918 in Moascar and Gaza. On 27 July 1918 until 12 August 1918 he was admitted to the 44th Stationary Hospital with sandfly fever. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 30 August 1918. Embarked on the SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Service number on headstone is recorded incorrectly as 192925. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

AkeTEARIAROA60702  3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Ake Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEARIAROA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60702 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Ake TEARIKIROA Teariaroa AKE Akeinga TEARIAROA Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 13/08/1930 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19300007 Headstone/Grave Location Makatea, Oiretumu, Mauke, Cook Islands. In November 2022, the headstone was located against a tree beside the gravesite which has broken down. Next of Kin Teariaroa (father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10193318 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 12 March 1918. Posted to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Discharged 20 March 1919. The date of death on the headstone (02/11/1943) is the date of death of his brother Private Teariki Takina TEARIAROA 60707. Our research indicates that Ake TEARIAROA married Minora, sister of Private Frank William TARARO 16/1228 who is also buried in Mauke, Cook Islands. Served a sentence of six months in a New Zealand prison for his involvement in the 1919 returned soldiers disturbance in Rarotonga. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at the RSA Nikao Rarotonga and military headstone records his name as 'A. Tearikiroa'. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Document source: National Archives Cook Islands Further Links N/A Previous Next

RimaRAA60689 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Rima Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) RAA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60689 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Rimaputa RAA Rima PAIAA Date of Birth 12/01/1899 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 24/11/1966 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19660087 Headstone/Grave Location Are te Tonga Road, Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Raa (father), Raa Vaine (mother), Marairenga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19566381 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918. Disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 20 September 1918. Embarked 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

TimotiKITA5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Timoti Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) KITA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Kita TIMOTI Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Pukapuka, Cook Islands Date of Death 19/05/1944 Place of Death Pukapuka, Cook Islands Death Registration Number PUKA19440352 Headstone/Grave Location Undelivered military headstone is at the RSA Rarotonga, 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. 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

TTOMANUANUA5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) T Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TOMANUANUA 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

KaoTOKOMAURI19255 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Kao Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TOKOMAURI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19255 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Kao UARENGA Kao VARENGA Date of Birth 12/06/1883 Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 18/10/1933 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19330016 Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Maki (sister) Tokakainga (brother-in-law). Wife recorded on enlistment as “Tangiaere deceased” Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE17208000 Additional Information 1st July 1916 was “discharged in consequence of being medically unfit for active service” (old injury to right hip). Re-enlisted in 3rd Rarotongan Contingent 16/02/1918. Granted Leave Without Pay 20/04/1918 Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

Kiro LukeADAM16/1007 New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Kiro Luke Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) ADAM Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1007 New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion Also Known As Kiro Luke Adam MANUELA Date of Birth 01/06/1893 Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 7/10/1917 Place of Death Belgium Death Registration Number NZ1918/65677 (post war death registration) Headstone/Grave Location New Irish Farm Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium Next of Kin Manuel Luke (Step brother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11505894 Additional Information Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemoration: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/451902/kiro-luke-adam/ On enlistment on the 12th of July 1915, he was employed in Auckland New Zealand. Arrived Suez 26 October 1915. Posted to Auckland Infantry Battalion 19 January 1916. Embarked for France 9 July 1916 and re-joined with the New Zealand (Māori Pioneer) Battalion as a bomber 9 November 1916. Returned from leave to "In the Field" 29 July 1917. Killed in Action while with the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion 7 October 1917. Buried “in the field” 3 miles north east of Ypres, Belgium, and later moved to New Irish Farm Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links https://www.cookislandsnews.com/letters-to-the-editor/beautiful-letter-to-fallen-ci-son/ https://www.cookislandsnews.com/local/ripples-of-love-and-friendship-from-belgium/ Previous Next

Watch videos documenting our team as we locate Cook Islands’ WWI soldiers. Discover untold stories and experiences of the brave men who served. Cook Islands WWI Soldier Search series and field trip links: Finding our way back ... to Atiu (filmed April 27 to May 1, 2019 Finding our way back ... to Aitutaki (filmed November 6 to 13, 2019 Finding our way back ... to Mauke (filmed November 14 to 18, 2022) Finding our way back ... to Mangaia (filmed April 24 to 28, 2023) UNDER PRODUCTION: Finding our way back ... to Atiu (Series Two) (filmed April 23 to 30, 2025) FILMING CONTINUES: Finding our way back ... to Rarotonga (filmed 2016 to 2025) Click here to view our field trip videos on our YouTube Channel

Discover the history behind Cook Islands WWI badges. Badges (WWI) The following has been reproduced with the kind permission of Mr Howard Weddell, author of the book Soldiers from the Pacific . Published 2015. ISBN 978-0-473-33830-5. Appendix C Page 241. The New Zealand Native Contingent and the Pacific Islands reinforcements wore a cap badge that was designed by the Māori Contingent Committee. This design was advised to and approved by the Chief of General Staff on 26 October 1914. It was manufactured by George T White, a Jeweller in Wellington. A total of 750 were received into stock on 11 December 1914, however when received they were deemed to be too be flimsy and the specification was changed to a thicker metal. A further 600 were made of this design at a cost of 3s each which were to be sold to soldiers. These were shipped by the Warrimoo to the NZ Native Contingent which was by this time on garrison duty on the island of Malta. However, the Contingent Commanding Officer did not think they were worth 3s and they were not supplied to the troops. Evidently the badges were returned to Egypt then forward to Gallipoli but were lost. Much paperwork ensued over the lost badges and the £95 cost to the public account. When the NZ Pioneer Battalion was formed in February 1916 a new design of badge was required to reflect the new role of the battalion. On 8 July 1916 an order was placed with J R Gaunt & Son in London for 1200 cap and 1000 sets of the smaller collar badges. It was this style badge that the Pacific Island contingents wore. In September 1917 the New Zealand Māori (Pioneer) Battalion was formed, although the Pacific Islanders and soldiers formerly with the Otago Mounted Rifles did not depart until January 1918, and the new hat badge was instituted based on the original NZ Native Contingent style. In this new design the ‘NZNC’ encryption was altered to ‘NZ’. The Assistant Adjutant General of the NZEF stated “The omission of the letter NC alluded to has become necessary owing to the fact that the Māoris are no longer the only Native Contingent in the NZEF, there being another of Rarotongans in Egypt”. In May 1917 Captain Bush requested that 114 sets of the NZ Pioneer Battalion badges be forwarded to him for the Rarotongan Company and that he also be sent a quantity of infantry puggarees for the ‘lemon squeezer’ hats. A hat badge known as the New Zealand Cook Islands Company was manufactured based on the design of the NZ Pioneer Battalion with modification to the scroll incorporating the phrase ‘Cook Is Coy’, image below. The history of the badge is obscure as whilst the original badges appear to be produced by J R Gaunt or similar quality manufacturers, there is a lack of photographic evidence of them being worn during World War One. It has been postulated that these badges were received by the New Zealand Defence Force after the war’s end.

TuanuteivituKORINGOTIPAPA60711 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tuanuteivitu Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) KORINGOTIPAPA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60711 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Tuaanu KORINGO TIPAPA Tuanu TEIVITU Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 20/03/1984 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19840004 Headstone/Grave Location Anai’o, Kimiangatau, Mauke, Cook Islands Next of Kin Koringotipapa (father), Koringo (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13323420 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Surname misspelt as KORINGOTIPARA on some enlistment forms. Service number on memorial plaque (60771) is incorrect. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next