< 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

< 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 Takaia Last name PUATI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60664 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 23 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 07/05/1968 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19680037 Next of kin Tu John (mother), Puati John (father). Headstone/grave location Tikioki, Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11246191 Additional information Buried in the same family cemetery as his brother Pte Piri PUATI 60723. Exact 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 Ruatea Last name MATEKOI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60703 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Matekoi RUATEA Matekoi Ruatea VAERURANGI Date of birth 20 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of death 26/05/1920 Place of death Mauke, Cook Islands Death registration number MAUK19200055 Next of kin Mate Koi (father), Mauke, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Oti Vaeruarangi Family Home, Areora, Oiretumu, Mauke, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE12356565 Additional information Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph has biographical information from descendants stating that his name was Matekoi Ruatea VAERUARANGI, and that his parents’ names were Vaeruarangi and Metuaone. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Joe Last name HEATHER Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60751 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Joseph HEATHER Date of birth 10/05/1901 (as per headstone) Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 17/03/1972 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19720022 Next of kin Stanley Heather (father), Upoko Heather (nee Ikitamu) Upoko Exham (mother) Headstone/grave location Avatiu Valley, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21751748 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: L/Cpl First name/s Tonga Last name KIRIAU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60767 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth March 1892 Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 30/05/1927 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19270784 Next of kin Teanini Kiriau (wife), Nii Tangiiau (mother), Kiriau (father) 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=IE10890168 Additional information L/Cpl Tonga KIRIAU's grave was cleared in the 1970’s to make way for the expansion of the Rarotonga International Airport. Nikao Cemetery Restoration Project volunteers built a memorial within the Nikao Cemetery February 2020 Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Ringia Last name TUMUTOA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60684 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 19/02/1964 Place of death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death registration number MANG19640006 Next of kin Tumutoa (father) Headstone/grave location Inland Katamae, Ivirua, Mangaia, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21347807 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 Ioteva Last name NGAVAÁRUA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19242 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Ioteva NGAVARUA Ngavaarua IOTEVA Date of birth 1888 Place of birth Aitutaki, Cook Islands Date of death 23/10/1930 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19300204 Next of kin Taa (mother), Ngavaarua / Ngavarua (father) Headstone/grave location Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE18781576 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 Jam Last name APERAU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19246 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Takitai Teariki APERAU Jim APERAU Date of birth 1887 (as per headstone inscription) Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 03/09/1967 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19670062 Next of kin Te Kuraatua (mother), Te Ariki Aperau (father), Teeinuki (wife) Headstone/grave location Matavera, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10074906 Additional information N/A Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Sergeant First name/s Tariu Last name KAKEPARE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19254 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Kakepare TARIU Gasper TARIU Kasper TARIU Kapita TARIU Date of birth 1889 Place of birth Atiu, Cook Islands Date of death 04/07/1954 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number Unknown Death entry recorded in the Catholic Church death records Next of kin Tariu (father), Areora, Atiu, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Panama Catholic Cemetery, Rarotonga Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE19051613 Additional information April 2024 the grave was unmarked due to the interment of another family member several years ago Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Onogokoriti Last name MAKIRU Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19261 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Makiru ONOGOKOREITI Date of birth 1897 Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 08/01/1956 Place of death Mangaia, Cook Islands Death registration number MANG19560029 Next of kin Tuaine (mother), Ongokoreti (father), Uaongo (wife) Headstone/grave location Headstone Location: Cook Islands Christian Church, Ivirua Rd, Ivirua, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Burial location unknown. Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE20678724 Additional information The service number 84556 on this headstone is incorrect and belongs to Private Mitiakarere PE. The correct service number is 19261. The date of death on the headstone (07/01/1956) is also incorrect. Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Corporal First name/s John Last name MITCHELL Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60672 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 24/07/1890 Place of birth Tahiti, Society Islands (French Polynesia) Date of death 28/04/1934 Place of death Tahiti, Society Islands (French Polynesia) Death registration number Unknown Next of kin Wina Mitchell (wife), Avatiu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Allen Mitchell (father) born New York, USA, Maria (mother) born Mitiaro, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Tahiti, Society Islands (French Polynesia) Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE10383142 Additional information Allen Mitchell (father) born New York, USA, Maria (mother) born Mitiaro, Cook Islands, 1 Child Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Keu Last name WILLIAM Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60700 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 21 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mauke, Cook Islands Date of death 29/11/1970 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19700102 Next of kin William (father), Mauke, Cook Islands, Pue (mother), 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=IE24474135 Additional information Unmarked grave Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Pakipaki Last name AUPINI Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60640 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Aupini PAKIPAKI Pekipeki HAUPINI Date of birth 16/9/1886 Place of birth Manihiki, Cook Islands Date of death 27/11/1973 Place of death Manihiki, Cook Islands Death registration number MANI19730004 Next of kin Tiarua (brother), Aitutaki, Cook Islands Headstone/grave location Tahaunu, Manihiki, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE11358088 Additional information Cook Islands Death Register records place of burial as Tahaunu, Manihiki, Cook Islands Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links ​ Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Teariki Last name KOKAUA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60648 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 28/08/1882 Place of birth Rarotonga, Cook Islands Date of death 28/02/1946 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19460183 Next of kin Kokaua (father), Rarotonga. Taitai (mother), 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=IE19315864 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 Kaveriri Last name OPITAIA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60756 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Kaveriri OPETAIA Opetaia KAVERIRI Date of birth 26 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 05/10/1948 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19480076 Next of kin Tauariki Opitaia, (wife), Opitaia (father) Headstone/grave location Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE9784333 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 Taiki Last name TAKAKE Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 19313 2nd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as Takake TAIKI Date of birth 07/1885 Place of birth Mitiaro, Cook Islands Date of death 15/07/1946 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19460323 Next of kin Taiki Henry (father), 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=IE9792327 Additional information Was declared a medical "Mental Case" following the war Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next

< Back Final rank: Private First name/s Kino Last name MIRIA Service number and Regiment/Unit/Corps 60761 3rd Rarotongan Contingent Also known as N/A Date of birth 25 years of age on enlistment Place of birth Mangaia, Cook Islands Date of death 15/11/1970 Place of death Rarotonga, Cook Islands Death registration number RARO19700123 Next of kin Miria (father), Apaiaere (mother) Headstone/grave location Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Archives New Zealand online service record https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE21812023 Additional information Death registration states place of burial as Titikaveka. In 2019, a descendant told our team that this soldier was buried in an unmarked and unknown grave in the burial ground beside the Raina Packing Shed, Titikaveka, Rarotonga Images and documents Image credits and references N/A Further links N/A Previous Next