cook islands

Anzac Day in the Pacific

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  Armistice Day was the initial focal point for commemorations in the Cook Islands and Niue after the First World War. But because men from both countries had served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, observances gradually shifted to Anzac Day in April

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• Page 2 – Early commemorative efforts

  During the 1920s war memorials provided a focus for commemoration services in the Cook Islands, where the first Anzac Day service was possibly held in 1927. On Niue, Armistice

• Page 3 – The growth of Anzac Day

  By the end of the Second World War military commemorations in the Cook Islands and Niue centered around Anzac Day. Services in both countries followed the pattern of those in

• Page 4 – Present day commemorations

  In the new millennium there has been increasing interest in the story of Pacific Island involvement in the First World War. In the Cook Islands there have been efforts to

• Page 5 – Further information

  Books and further reading relating to the history of Anzac Day in the Pacific Islands of Niue and the Cook Islands

Early explorers

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  The romance and sheer challenge of getting to New Zealand have made the Polynesian discovery and European rediscovery of these islands popular topics of study.

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• Page 2 - Polynesian explorers The origins of Maori have been debated since Westerners first entered the Pacific Ocean. During his explorations of Polynesia, Cook and his scientists noted the similarities in

Pacific Islanders in the NZEF

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  Cook Islanders, Niueans, Fijians and Gilbert Islanders all took their place in the ranks of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War. As well as the dangers of war, Pacific soldiers faced language difficulties, an unfamiliar army diet and European diseases.

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• Page 2 – Niueans and Cook Islanders

  Information about Niuean and Cook Island soldiers who were part of the 3rd Maori Contingent of Reinforcements in 1916.

• Page 3 – The Rarotongan Company

  Information on the New Zealand Rarotongan Company, which served in the Sinai and Palestine campaigns 1916-18.

• Page 5 – Difficulties faced by Pacific Islanders

  Information on the difficulties faced by Pacific Islanders when they left their island homes for the first time and entered the army.

• Page 6 – Roll of Honour

  List of soldiers from the Cook Islanders and Niue who were killed in the First World War

Pacific aftermath

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  Participation in the First World War changed Pacific Islanders' lives. Returning servicemen had seen the world.

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• Page 4 – NZ government acknowledgement

  During the 1920s, the contribution of the Cook Islands and Niue to the war effort was recognised in a number of ways, especially official visits, the building of monuments and

• Page 5 – Economic, social and political impact

  The First World War opened the Pacific Islands to the world more than they ever had been before.

The 1960s

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  Five decades ago most Kiwis enjoyed a standard of living that was the envy of other nations. During the 1960s the arrival of TV and jet airliners shrank our world, and New Zealanders began to express themselves on a range of international issues, including opposition to the Vietnam War.

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• Page 8 - 1965 - key eventsA selection of the key events in New Zealand history from 1965

Read the Treaty

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  Transcript of the English version of the original Treaty of Waitangi document.

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• Page 4 - Treaty of Waitangi translationsThe Treaty of Waitangi translated into Cook Islands, Samoan, Tongan, Niuean and Tokelau