Some two million American servicemen spent time on Pacific Islands between 1942 - 1945/1946 - and it's estimated that about 2000 babies were born as a result of relationships with local women.
The US military prevented marriage in some the cases by applying US immigration law, preventing marriage "across the colour line".
Otago University history professor Judith Bennett is one of the authors of a new book which explores the stories of the children who were left behind, and journeys to discovering their full identities.
Mother's Darlings also features the story of Arthur Beren - who was born in the Cook Islands - to a US serviceman.
