Remembering the 500 in Rarotonga

In April  this year the Depot hosted an exhibition Lest We Forget the 500 Cook Islands Soldiers which commemorated the contributions of Cook Islands soldiers in World War I. This magnificent exhibition and series of events which welcomed into the Depot more than 3000 visitors, was organised by Nia Val Ngaro and Moe Hobbs of the New Zealand Cook Islands Arts Collective. 

On July 21 Lest We Forget opened at the National Museum in Rarotonga with some of the artists and Devonport locals involved in the exhibition in attendance. As at the Depot the opening and subsequent events attracted wide interest and support, with a highlight being the ‘500 Soldiers’ float, one of 50 taking part in the ‘Te Maeva Nui’ parade celebrating 50 years of Cook Islands independence.