Enlisted 27 September 1915 in Rarotonga. Disembarked in Suez 15 March 1916, and embarked for France 9 April 1916. Admitted to hospital 2 June 1916 and rejoined Māori Pioneers from the hospital 16 June 1916.
On duty with his Unit “In the Field” 3 August 1917. Detached to the Rarotongan Company 14 January 1918 and embarked for Egypt 21 January 1918. Disembarked at Alexandria 4 February 1918 and posted to the Rarotongan Company 15 February 1918. Admitted to the 128th Field Ambulance 30 July to 10 August 1918 with malaria and again admitted with a relapse to the 76th Casualty Clearing Station at Ludd before being transferred to the 47th Stationary Hospital at Gaza from 17 to 21 November 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918 and discharged 20 March 1919. Upon his death, he was unable to be returned home to the island of Aitutaki for burial and was therefore buried in the “Government Registered Crown Land” Nikao Cemetery in Rarotonga. Local and foreign volunteers from the Nikao Cemetery Restoration Project financed and rebuilt Pte Joe Kavae’s resting place in June 2016.