31 Mar 2009

Atiu Cook Islanders get a war memorial

10:03 am on 31 March 2009

The names of the Atiuan soldiers from the southern Cook Islands who served in the armed forces will be displayed on a newly built war memorial.

The project was coordinated and driven by the Island Secretary, Man Unuia and one of the objectives he set out to do during the

tenure of his office as Atiu's Island Secretary.

Elma MaUa reports

"The Atiu Ui Ariki, Island Council, Island Secretary, Aronga and the people of Atiu joined forces to build the memorial as a place to remember those who took part in the ANZAC war and those who served in the New Zealand Armed Forces in later years including those who have served and who are still serving in the UN Peace Keeping Forces. Extensive research was carried out with the help of the Cook Islands Returned Service Association through Brian Bartrum who is also responsible for the provision of free poppies for ANZAC Day. Families are being asked to provide information about family members who served during the war so a plaque can be made and placed on the war memorial for ANZAC Day commemorations next month."