Enlisted 1st of July 1916. Disembarked at Suez 27 December 1916 and posted to the New Zealand Mounted Rifle Bde Training Regiment and Base Depot. Admitted to 26th Stationary Hospital, Ismalia 15 March 1917.
Posted to the Rarotongan Company 5 March 1918. Embarked for New Zealand on SS Malta 14 December 1918. Discharged 20 March 1919.

Initially listed as died in Atiu 10 June 1930 under the name of Puai Tua, however the SS Malta Roll has the surname as Urikapuia. In February 1933 War Graves Department then advised that 19338 Puai TUA has the same regimental number as Teariki Urikapu. In October 1933 the Resident Commissioner of Atiu advised the correct name should be Puia Tua and he was alive so no further action was to take place. His personal service file stated he died 10 June 1930.

Cook Islands Roll of Honour board at RSA Nikao Rarotonga records his service number as 19388 which is incorrect as that service number belongs to a New Zealand Māori soldier.