Pacific

Restoring the graves of Cook Islands Anzacs

06:00 am on 16 January 2017

Volunteers restoring damaged headstones of Cook Islands Anzac soldiers are appealing to the government for help.

Just under 500 Cook Island men served in the First World War and about fifteen of them are buried on Rarotonga in Nikao Cemetery.

But its location on the shore opposite the airport means it is prone to erosion and many of the graves have been damaged with some washed away entirely by the sea.

Australian business owner Cate Walker heard about the Anzac's graves after restoring her mother's site in the cemetery and is one of the volunteers leading the restoration.

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Graves at Nikao cemetery on Rarotonga in need of repair. Photo: Supplied / Cate Walker