VakaMOSE84500 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Vaka Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) MOSE Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84500 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Mose VAKATINI Date of Birth 30 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 04/10/1927 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19270453 Headstone/Grave Location Cook Islands Christian Church, Arutanga, Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Memorial only. Buried in an unknown location, Next of Kin Vai Tamatoa (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11897743 Additional Information Enlisted 10 July 1918 in Rarotonga. Discharged in New Zealand 7 December 1918 due to the signing of the Armistice which brought an end to WW1. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

NootaiHENRY5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Acting Sergeant First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Nootai Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) HENRY Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 10/08/1957 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19570014 Headstone/Grave Location Nikaupara, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Next of Kin EnuaruaKare (father), Ngarukietini Panu (mother) 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

TomBISHOP5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tom Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) BISHOP Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 23 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 08/11/1947 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19471263 Headstone/Grave Location Arutanga, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Next of Kin Tom Bishop (father), Naupoko (mother) Link to Online Service Record Additional Information Date of death: 08/11/1947 (as per Cook Islands death register) 09/11/1947 ( as per military headstone) No online war service record. The gravesite has been completely restored since our first visit in November 2019. New gravesite images taken November 2024. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

PiauSIMEONA19305 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Piau Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) SIMEONA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19305 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Piau SIMIONA Simiona PIAU Date of Birth 1896 Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 18/05/1965 Place of Death Atiu, Cook Islands Death Registration Number ATIU19650003 Headstone/Grave Location Teenui Village, Atiu, Cook Islands Next of Kin Piau (father), Atiu, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10434198 Additional Information Enlisted in Rarotonga 1 July 1916. Disembarked at Suez from the SS Malwa 27 December 1916 and posted to the NZ Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot. Admitted to the 26th Stationary Hospital, Moascar with fever 2 January 1917 and transferred to the 27th General Hospital, Abbassia with pneumonia 15 January 1917 to 27 January 1917. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 7 April 1917. Admitted to the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station in Jaffa 14 July 1917 with malaria and transferred to the 36th Casualty Hospital, Gaza 16 July 1917. Again contracted malaria 21 July 1918 and was evacuated to the 27th General Hospital Abassia and transferred to the Aotea Convalescent Home from 27 July 1918 to 1 August 1918. Rejoined the Rarotongan Company 12 August 1918 before being admitted to the 129th Field Ambulance with measles on 5 September 1918. He was then transferred to 48th Stationary Hospital, Gaza on 15 September 1918 and then to the 44th Staionary Hospital, Kantara on 23 September 1918 until 26 September 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on the SS Malta on the 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. We have had confirmation from family members that the correct spelling of his surname is “Simiona” as per his headstone on the grave in Atiu. His NZEF military enlistment records his surname as “Simeona” however family say that spelling is incorrect. He has a duplicate military headstone at the RSA Nikao Rarotonga with the surname spelt incorrectly as “Simeona”. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga records name as 'S. Piau'. Headstone/grave images taken April 2019 & April 2025 Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

MaiIAVETA60659 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Mai Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) IAVETA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60659 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Maireroa IAVETA Iaveta MAI Iaveta MAIREROA Date of Birth 07/03/1898 Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 29/02/1948 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19480200 Headstone/Grave Location Avaavaroa Rd, Vaimaanga, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Pumatuni Iaveta (father), Mangaia, Puna (mother), Mangaia Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13516470 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand 12 March 1918. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Was ill on return from the Middle East and was offloaded for medical treatment and quarantine at Freemantle, Australia 12 January 1919 with simple pneumonia, but on 23 January 1919 was reported as seriously ill. By 28 January 1919 he was recovering and classified as a convalescent. Returned from Australia as part of the party organised by Sergent Shearman. Discharged 9 July 1919. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at the RSA Nikao Rarotonga records his name as 'I MAI'. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TekapoTEREPAI84540 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Tekapo Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEREPAI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84540 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Terepai TAKAPO Date of Birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 27/12/1980 Place of Death Atiu, Cook Islands Death Registration Number ATIU19800001 Headstone/Grave Location Grave located at Ngatiarua Village, Atiu, Cook Islands Headstone located elsewhere in Ngatiarua, Atiu, Cook Islands Next of Kin Terepai (father), Kairangi (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19711648 Additional Information Enlisted 12 June 1918 in Rarotonga and disembarked per SS Paloona at Wellington 22 June 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918. Birth parents as per information received from descendants: Kareora (mother) and Taereterongo (father) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

KamateCUTHERS84581 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Lance Corporal First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Kamate Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) CUTHERS Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84581 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 28 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 10/04/1962 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1962/22997 Headstone/Grave Location Waikumete Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand Next of Kin Upokoina (mother), William (father), Tuainekore (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10774515 Additional Information Enlisted 12 June 1918 and discharged 7 December 1918. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TeuingarikiRUA MOANA84552 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Teuingariki Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) RUA MOANA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84552 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Rua Moana TEUINGARIKI Moana Te Ato RUA Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of Death 14/01/1934 Place of Death Atiu, Cook Islands Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Ngatiarua, Atiu, Cook Islands Next of Kin Unknown Link to Online Service Record Additional Information Cook Islands Roll of Honour Board records name as “T RUA MOANA”. Listed on the Atiu cenotaph as “MANOA TE ATO RUA”. No online war service record. New images of refurbished gravesite taken April 2025. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

TariaTEARII84513 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Taria Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEARII Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84513 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Tearii TARIA Date of Birth 18 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 19/09/1919 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19190101 Headstone/Grave Location Headstone memorial at Aratea, Aitutaki, Cook Islands. The original grave location was cleared in 1967 to make way for road infrastructure. Next of Kin Naomi (mother), Taria (father) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11177079 Additional Information Enlisted 10 July 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp. Discharged 20 March 1919. His burial site was cleared in the 1960’s however our team located his memorial headstone in Aitutaki in November 2019. Added to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and New Zealand Rolls of Honour, announced by the NZDF October 2019: https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/116716348/forgotten-wwi-war-dead-honoured-100-years-on “On Friday, on the basis of research done by Cate Walker, Howard Weddell, Paula Paniani and Bobby Nicholas, the names of six Cook Islands soldiers were added to the New Zealand and Commonwealth War Graves Commission's official rolls of honour.” https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/75463732/taria-tearii/ Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

VRU5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) V Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) RU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Vaa RUU Date of Birth Unknown Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 07/09/1959 Place of Death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death Registration Number AITU19590023 Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Unknown Link to Online Service Record Additional Information Possible AKA's (family to confirm) Vaa RU Vaa a TUAAPAI 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

KakinoARATAI84578 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Kakino Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) ARATAI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84578 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 12/04/1946 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19460263 Headstone/Grave Location Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Aratai (father), Mou (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11501880 Additional Information Enlisted at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckalnd New Zealand 12 July 1918. Discharged 7 December 1918. Date of death: 12/04/1946 (as per Cook Islands death register and military headstone) 18/02/1970 (as per war service record) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

UriNIKOIA60642 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Uri Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) NIKOIA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60642 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death Unknown Place of Death Unknown Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Nikoia (father), Taruru (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19811841 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918 at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp Auckland New Zealand. Granted LWP (Leave Without Pay) 20 April 1918 after being found to be medically unfit for active service. Not on Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga. Possibly buried in Rarotonga. Headstone and grave to be confirmed by family. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

PioTUAKANAORURU19290 2nd & 3rd Rarotongan Contingents  < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Pio Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TUAKANAORURU Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19290 2nd & 3rd Rarotongan Contingents Also Known As Moeroa TUAKANAORURU (name on death register) Date of Birth 17/01/1895 Place of Birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of Death 05/08/1928 Place of Death Mauke, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MAUK19280006 Headstone/Grave Location Ngaau Family Burial Ground, Pirikura, Kimiangatau, Mauke, Cook Islands Next of Kin Are Auri (mother), Tuakana Oura (father), Akereu (wife) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE17208123 Additional Information Enlisted 1 July 1916. When in Egypt he became repeatedly ill with tuberculosis and was medically boarded for discharge 31 May 1917. Invalided to New Zealand from Suez on SS Port Sydney and discharged 22 November 1917. He then enlisted in the 3rd Rarotongan Contingent at Rarotonga 4 February 1918 and embarked at Wellington 13 June 1918 and disembarked at Suez 4 August 1918. Transferred to Rarotongan Company 18 September 1918. Embarked on SS Wandilla at Beirut 22 November 1918 and disembarked at Alexandria 24 November 1918 and was admitted to hospital. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Kaikoura 6 March 1919 and was discharged 9 July 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

RataroTEKIA19304 2nd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Rataro Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEKIA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 19304 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Rataro Enua TIKIA Rataro ENUATEKIA Rataro TE KIA Date of Birth 1896 Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 13/01/1961 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19610007A Headstone/Grave Location Kavera, Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Enua Tikia (father), Rarotonga, Cook Islands Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19711787 Additional Information Enlisted at Rarotonga 1 July 1916. Disembarked at Suez 27 December 1916. Posted to the Rarotongan Company 17 April 1917. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. SS Malta embarkation roll record his name as 'Takia Rataro Enua'. Cook Islands Roll of Honour board record his name as 'R. Enuatikia. Enlistment and military documents record his name as 'Rataro Tekia'. Later correspondence record his name as 'Te Kia'. His surname is spelt as 'Tikia' on his headstone Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

WilfredSTEPHENS16/1517 4th Reinforcements, New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Wilfred Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) STEPHENS Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 16/1517 4th Reinforcements, New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion Rarotongan Company Also Known As Date of Birth 06/04/1888 (as per war service record) Place of Birth Fiji Date of Death 18/11/1965 Place of Death Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji Death Registration Number Unknown Headstone/Grave Location Unknown Next of Kin Mr W. F. Stephens (father), Samoa Henry J. Stephens (brother), Suva, Fiji Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE17410943 Additional Information Travelled to New Zealand to enlist at Narrow Neck Military Training Camp 28 March 1916 and embarked on SS Ulimaroa Wellington 29 July 1916 as part of the 4th Māori Reinforcements. Disembarked Plymouth, United Kingdom 28 September 1916. Joined New Zealand Pioneer Battalion in France 24 October 1916. WIA (Wounded in Action - severely gassed 6 June 1917 and evacuated to the United Kingdom. Rejoined his battalion 30 December 1917. Detached to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918 and arrived Egypt 9 February 1918 and posted to Rarotongan Company 7 March 1918. Wounded by shrapnel "probably due to enemy actions" by a suspected booby-trapped item of salvaged ammunition on 21 October 1918 with wounds to left arm, forehead and nose. Evacuated to 24th Stationary Hospital, Kantara, on 24 October 1918, then by hospital train to Cairo on 29 October 1918 and admitted to 27th General Hospital, Abbassia. Discharged 20 March 1919. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References Further Links https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE14174368 Previous Next

AngunaKAINANA60688 3rd Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Anguna Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) KAINANA Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 60688 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Date of Birth 26 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of Death 19/05/1959 Place of Death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death Registration Number RARO19590031 Headstone/Grave Location Beside the Hartel Shop, Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Next of Kin Kainana (father), Rarotonga. Tekura (mother), Rarotonga Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11061402 Additional Information Enlisted 12 March 1918. Discharged as medically unfit 15 June 1918 and did not proceed overseas beyond New Zealand. Date of death: 19/05/1959 (as per Cook Islands death register) 20/05/1958 (as per military headstone) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

T. J.VATI5th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) T. J. Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) VATI Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Joseph VATI Date of Birth 27/05/1891 Place of Birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of Death 28/07/1969 Place of Death Auckland, New Zealand Death Registration Number NZ1969/30948 Headstone/Grave Location Mangere Cemetery, Auckland, New Zealand. 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 service record. Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next

RaivaruTEARII84565 4th Rarotongan Contingent < Back Highest Rank: Private First Name/s (as per enlistment record) Raivaru Last Name or Only Name Given (as per enlistment record) TEARII Service Number and Regiment/Unit/Corps served in 84565 4th Rarotongan Contingent Also Known As Raivara TeArii Raivara TERII Date of Birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of Birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of Death 29/04/1953 Place of Death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death Registration Number MANG19530004 Headstone/Grave Location On the left side of the road driving from the airport to Oneroa near Atuakoro Landing, Oneroa Road, Mangaia, Cook Islands Next of Kin Taumarie TeArii (wife), Tearii (father), Teura (mother) Link to Online Service Record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11176678 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. Date of death: 29/04/1953 (as per Cook Islands death register) 03/05/1953 (as per military headstone, Roll Call and war service documents) Images and Documents (click on images to enlarge) Image Credits and References N/A Further Links N/A Previous Next