< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Beni Last name BANABA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19236 New Zealand (Māori) Pioneer Battalion, Rarotongan Company Also known as N/A Date of birth 1890 Place of birth Manihiki, Cook Islands Date of death 16/09/1917 Place of death Auckland, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1917/2902 Next of kin Mrs Apii Banaba (wife), Marairenga, Rarotonga Headstone/grave location Devonport (O’Neill’s Point) Cemetery, Bayswater, Auckland, New Zealand Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10867642 Additional information Attained rank of Sergeant August 1916. Relinquished rank to Private April 1917 Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemoration: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/642908/beni-banaba/ "Husband of Api. B. Banaba, of Marairenga, Rarotonga. Born at Manihiki, Cook Islands." Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Ngametua Last name TUIKAA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19285 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Ramateaunga Date of birth 18/05/1895 Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 28/06/1930 Place of death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death registration number MANG19300058 Next of kin Vairau (mother), Tuikaa (father), Ungaia (wife) Headstone/grave location Ivirua, Mangaia, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12319086 Additional information Could be brother of Private Tuakanaiti TUIKAA 60741(same father in death records) Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Kaiti Last name KA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60737 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 12/03/1897 Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death Unknown Place of death Unknown Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Ka Vaine (mother) Headstone/grave location Unknown Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19050899 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tearii Last name TORU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60645 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 23/01/1955 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Toru (father), Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Cemetery next to the Latter-day Saints Church, Avarua/Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12326063 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Tangata Tutai Last name MAKITIRA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60779 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of death 30/04/1964 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19640075 Next of kin Makitira (father), Mauke, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Panama Catholic Cemetery, Panama, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20680511 Additional information Broken headstone is situated beside a fence at the Panama Catholic Cemetery, Panama, Rarotonga (April 2024). Grave location unknown. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Ongokoreiti Last name TEAU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60740 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Atini TEAUITI Date of birth 40 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 14/12/1919 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19190250 Next of kin Tangianau (mother), Teauiti (father), Tuauri AKA Ngatipi (wife) Headstone/grave location Nikao Cemetery, Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10200947 Additional information Date of death: 14/12/1919. Headstone records “aged 50” at the time of death however we do not believe this is correct Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Brown Last name TIA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60698 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 34 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Raiatea, Society Islands (French Polynesia) Date of death 24/11/1939 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19390592 Next of kin Tahiri Tia (wife), Arorangi, Rarotonga Headstone/grave location Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13624064 Additional information In April 2024, we were contacted by descendant Mereani Pirake who took us to the newly built grave. Plans are now underway to have a military headstone installed Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Akiu Last name KOPAKI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19257 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Kopaki AKIU Date of birth 1892 Place of birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of death Unknown Place of death Unknown Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Māori (mother), Tainui, Atiu, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location We have received unconfirmed information from a descendant that he died in Papeete, Tahiti on 08/03/1951 Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10892518 Additional information Cook Islands Roll of Honour Board records name as “Corporal K AKIU” Listed on the Atiu cenotaph as “Corporal KOPAKI” Final rank of Private (previously Sergeant). In December 1918, reverted to Private at own request Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Bob Last name SIMIONA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60771 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Bob ELEAZARA Date of birth 01/04/1898 Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 16/11/1952 Place of death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death registration number AITU19520025 Next of kin Joseph Simiona (father) (aka Joseph Simiona – Eleazala), Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Teina Ati (mother) Atiu Headstone/grave location Tautu Road, Tautu, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10397491 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Manu Last name TUTARA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19273 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Manua TUTARA Date of birth 1889 Place of birth Pukapuka, Cook Islands Date of death 02/12/1956 Place of death Auckland, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1956/38866 Next of kin Piki Piki (sister), Rarotonga, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Whiti Te Ra Reweti Marae, Auckland Region, New Zealand Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10275210 Additional information There is a headstone for this soldier on a grave in Rarotonga however it is a case of mistaken identity Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Rima Last name KAUREVAI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19299 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Rimamotu KAUVAREVAI Date of birth 1893 Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 03/05/1953 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19530008 Next of kin Kauvarevai (father), Mrs Motuanga (mother) Headstone/grave location Cemetery next to the Latter-day Saints Church, Avarua/Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19053880 Additional information Date of death: 03/05/1953 (as per Cook Islands death register) 04/05/1953 (as per military service records and headstone) Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: L/Cpl First name/s Rui Last name MOTU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60744 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 1894 Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 30/06/1923 Place of death Wellington, New Zealand Death registration number NZ1923/8773 (name recorded as Motu RUI) Next of kin Tupere (mother), Mitiaro, Cook Islands. Motu (father), Atiu, Nio (wife) Headstone/grave location Porirua Cemetery, Wellington, New Zealand Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19404761 Additional information War service record states date of death is 02/07/1923, while his death certificate and hospital records state 30/06/1923. Military plaque unveiled 01/07/2017 Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Peru Last name KAIVARI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 5th Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth Unknown Place of birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of death 06/04/1953 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19530011 Next of kin Kaivari (father), Ritia (mother) Headstone/grave location Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record Additional information No online war service record Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Corporal First name/s Aio Last name TARIPO Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60727 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A 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 Next of kin Taripo (father) born Tahiti, Society Islands, Tauira (mother) born Rarotonga Headstone/grave location Taputapuatea Burial Ground, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19445958 Additional information Date of death: 30/08/1959 (as per Cook Islands death register) 31/08/1959 (as per military headstone) Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: L/Cpl First name/s Mata Last name METUATANE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60671 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 12/08/1925 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Metuatane (father), Aitutaki, Cook Islands. Maria (mother), Aitutaki, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Headstone memorial at Nikao Cemetery, Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11188290 Additional information Headstone found in the Nikao Cemetery April 2017. A memorial was built in the Nikao Cemetery using the headstone in October 2018. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Ngature Last name IMENE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60742 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 19 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 07/12/1978 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19780006A Next of kin Tangimetua (brother), Imene (father), Teremoana (mother) Headstone/grave location Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE24363244 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Pio Last name TUAKANAORURU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 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 Next of kin Are Auri (mother), Tuakana Oura (father), Akereu (wife) Headstone/grave location Ngaau Family Burial Ground, Pirikura, Kimiangatau, Mauke, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE17208123 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Kata Last name MUA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60669 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 02/03/1895 Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 28/06/1963 Place of death Aitutaki, Cook Islands Death registration number AITU19630015 Next of kin Tereapii Mua (brother), Tupapa, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Tautu Road, Tautu, Aitutaki, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11898098 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next