Descendants of hundreds of Cook Island men who enlisted in the First World War are fighting to preserve the stories of their ancestors.
About 500 Cook Island men enlisted in the First World War serving as labourers and ammunition bearers in France, Egypt and Palestine as part of the Maori contingent.
To commemorate their service the Cook Islands Soldiers World War One Committee tracked down descendants of the first 45 men who enlisted and re-enacted their arrival at Parliament in New Zealand.
Daniela Maoate-Cox was there.
Each cross represents one of the 45 Cook Island men who volunteered to serve in the First World War.
Photo: RNZ / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Transcript
Figures in green carrying garlands of yellow shells walk against a backdrop of grey clouds and drizzling rain to stand on the lawns of Parliament in Wellington. Their descendants had arrived in similar conditions just over 100 years earlier singing "Tipperary" and "Are We Downhearted" in Maori as they marched through the streets. Speaking at Parliament, National MP Alfred Ngaro told the descendants their ancestors contribution deserves to be acknowledged.
"They weren't drafted or enlisted, they were volunteered and the 7th October 1915 the HMS Moana landed over here in Wellington and in that morning 45 Cook Island men who had enlisted marched up here to Parliament. Today is a re-enactment of that period of time. It's a symbolism of young men who had chosen to serve not only their country but also to the colony at that time. They came with the thought of adventure and instead what they experienced was something quite different."
Lance Corporal Peter Solomona was one of those men. His descendant Dan Kauraka says it must have been a sharp contrast to his home island of Manihiki.
"It's all new to him, coming into a new environment to see all those big buildings here and certainly a big contrast from a very small island and to meet all the Parliamentarians and especially the leaders of the Maori people would have been a great honour for him."
Dan Kauraka says the commemoration has encouraged him to learn more about his ancestor.
"I've heard little bits about him but I think given this experience, it's given me the wanting to go and find out more about him."
The chairperson of the Cook Islands Soldiers World War One committee, Anne Allan-Moetaua says sparking a passion for remembering their ancestors is the purpose of the commemoration.
"We'll just continuously keep changing keep pulling in people that way then we can continue, rather than the older people always holding on. so it's about hey you've learnt what can happen, how about you take up the oar and you start paddling."
The committee says it is still collecting historical accounts of the men who enlisted and invites people to get in touch with their stories.
For details on how to reach the committee visit our website rnzi.com
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