World War One is being remembered as a devastating turning point in the Niue's history.

Today is the hundredth anniversary of the day since about 150 Niuean men left the isolated island to serve alongside New Zealand soldiers.

Historian Margaret Pointer is attending a commemoration in the capital Alofi this afternoon.

She said Niueans struggled without its youngest strongest men, and received little information about the war.

"They only got news when a ship came, and ships did not come very often. And they certainly didn't come for five or six months through the cyclone season."

Many of the men had never left the island before.

Three Niuean soldiers will also be remembered and added to the New Zealand Roll of Honour at a ceremony in Niue this afternoon.

Privates Alotau, Mitipauni and Muimatagi will be added to the roll for their service.

Heritage Minister Maggie Barry said they deserve recognition for their service to New Zealand's military.

"The three who were buried in Niue will now have those graves looked after and they get the level of official recognition that they deserve."

She said the men died from illnesses contracted during their service.

"Arguably the men of the Pacific Islands and this group of Niueans in particular, it took an appalling tole on their health."