This book traces the history and practice of tatatau tattoo in the cook islands. One of the best ways to do this is by a cultural tour where experienced guides will show you the historic sights, share ancient tales and legends and teach you about our unique cook islands maori culture. The main island, dwarfed by the vast lagoon, offers gorgeous places to stay for all budgets, including the cook islands only overwater bungalows and of course many other boutique properties catering exceptionally well. Aitutaki was the first island to accept christianity in the cook islands, and they are proud of this significant history. Tourism facilities are well developed, but the total number of visitors a year remains a small fraction of those staying on the capital island, so aitutaki still feels very unspoiled. Ngaa is a researcher, archaeologist, and cultural pundit who is vocal about the need for aitutaki to rediscover its ancient traditions that disappeared when christianity arrived in the early 1820s. We know things are a bit different in the world right now, but some facts remain the same. Visitors should consider reading history books, language books and even cookbooks relating to the cook islands in order to gain a greater understanding of the. See cook islands formalities for complete clearance information once anchored see docking the captain should come ashore to clear in. The variety of accommodation available on aitutaki can cater to all tastes. The paperback of the cook islands history and tourism. The main island, dwarfed by the vast lagoon, offers gorgeous places to stay for all budgets, including the cook islands only overwater bungalows and of course many other boutique properties catering exceptionally well for honeymooners or the romantic at heart. The cook islands, named after the british captain who seems to have been everywhere in the pacific, are scattered like tiny jewels over a large stretch of sea between tahiti and samoa. The inhabitants are polynesian and the islands are both volcanic and whats known as near atolls.
Our guests first reaction on sighting the turquoise waters of aitutaki s lagoon is always a memorable one. Our islands the cook islands lies halfway between new zealand and hawaii, boasting an idyllic climate, endless adventure, romance and pure relaxation. The cook islands and rarotonga were first populated in the 6th century by polynesians who migrated from nearby tahiti. Rarotonga, the principal island, is 2,500 miles due south of honolulu as far south of the equator as honolulu. A net of 15 islands in the heart of the south pacific spread over an area the size of india with a population no bigger than a small new zealand country town, 15,000 souls. Cook islands maori or maori kuki airani is the most widely spoken language in the cook islands and has been our official language since 2003. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the cook islands, the origins of the 15 islands are owed to the polynesians friendly, highspirited and welcoming cook islanders. We are looking for additional information that will help readers understand the topic and better use the available records. Far from the bustle of mass tourism a secret island paradise lies dreaming in the south pacific. The cook islands library and museum houses a collection of rare books on the pacific, and the museum. Cook islands cultural and historic places trust cook. The cook islands has been an active member of the pacific community since 1980.
This online collection has links to online databases and indexes that may include birth records, marriage records, death records, biographies, cemeteries, censuses, histories, immigration records. Going to the cook islands is an amazing adventure and with papas handbook my husband and i didnt miss a thing. The cook islands are located in the south pacific ocean and comprise 15 major islands spread over 2,200,000 square km. The 15 islands of the cook islands are located in the south pacific, in the same time zone as hawaii. Reverend john williams of the london missionary society lms sailed from raiatea near presentday tahiti to aitutaki in 1821. And getting here is easy with flights on air new zealand, virgin australia, jetstar and air tahiti as well as domestic flights between the islands with our national carrier air rarotonga. Some selected cook islands kids books from our pacific collection. Cook island maori is also referred to as te reo ipukarea or the language of the ancestral homeland. The oldest church in the country, the cook islands christian church in arutanga, was built by papeiha and vahapata, two lms teachers williams had left behind. The island occupies an area of only 18 sq km and is home to around 2,000 inhabitants.
The bride, olivia moana jonassen from rarotongaaitutaki, took on the surname of. I am taking my honeymoon there, and i have enjoyed reading books set in the places i am headed before i go. Cook islands travel guide expert picks for your vacation. Etu moana villas is a 3minute drive from aitutaki airport and 5 km from aitutaki golf club. Pukapukan and anthropological constructions of knowledge. In 2017 the islands entire offshore exclusive economic zone, some 734,000 sq mi 1. I cant recommend papa mikes cook island handbook enough. Jul 17, 2006 if you want to read about aitutaki and the cook islands i suggest you see my friend taoris labour of love about the cook islands if you want to buy books about the cook islands these are my. Cook islands, selfgoverning island state in free association with new zealand, located in the south pacific ocean. These unique and friendly polynesians have their own language and government and enjoy a vigorous and diverse culture with significant differences between. And while you can probably do that in either aitutaki or rarotonga, we would prefer to be in the setting of aitutaki. The island and its stunning, turquoise blue lagoon has been the location for the us tv series.
The cook islands still has an eyewatering trade deficit, importing far more than it exports, but thanks to the huge expansion in tourism over recent years, foreign investment is currently flowing into the cook islands and keeps the financial wolf from the door. Cultural and historical sites in the cook islands play a very important part with regard to educating our younger generation to our history, our heritage and our traditional past. Like the rest of the cook islands, sunday is a day of rest and relaxation on aitutaki. Aitutaki is an island located 235 km northeast of rarotonga. The 10 best aitutaki hotel deals apr 2020 tripadvisor. The coral atolls with their lagoon are characteristic for the islands. At the top end of the scale are luxurious resorts that have won many international awards. In 1901, the islands were included within the boundaries of the colony of new zealand the cook islands contain 15 islands in the group spread over a vast area in the south pacific.
The cook islands became a british protectorate in 1888 by 1900, the islands were annexed as british territory. There are very few books written solely about aitutaki, but readers interested in learning about the island should not be discouraged, because there are numerous books written about the cook islands which include information on aitutaki. Terei a cook islands romance aitutaki lagoon wedding and honeymoon. Archeologists trace the settlement of the islands to the fourth century c. History and ethnic relations emergence of the nation. History and traditions of rarotonga by te ariki tara are. The cook islands rarotonga history information, including colonisation and self rule details. Rarotonga and aitutaki are two of the easiest islands to visit and where you will find the most infrastructure. Once the explorers had sailed on to new discoveries or sticky ends, as was the case with captain cook, who was stabbed to death in hawaii in 1779, it was left to the missionaries to establish longlasting contact with the people of the cook islands.
The first settler was ru, who according to various traditions came from either avaiki now called raiatea or from tubuai both in french polynesia. Rarotonga, the principal island, is 2,500 miles due south of honolulu. Anne and henrys south seas wedding on aitutaki lagoon. The official languages are english and cook islands maori. Avarua, on rarotonga, is the capital and administrative center of the group. Dating from 1853, the church is made of coral, and some of the island s most famous people are buried in its graveyard, including the first prime minister of the cook islands. He has made it his lifes mission to uncover the secrets of this islands history, and he wants to share them with both tourists and local children. Hi guys i have found trip advisor to be invaluable since i discovered it.
If you want to read about aitutaki and the cook islands i suggest you see my friend taoris labour of love about the cook islands if you want to buy books about the cook islands these are my. There is also a larger population of cook islanders in new zealand itself. European discovery and settlement begain in the 1700s, after captain cooks discovered the cook islands in 1773. Hostel prices there are only two hostels in the cook islands and both are located on rarotonga. Recommended reading before you visit aitutaki, visit tripadvisor for the latest info and advice, written for travellers by travellers. So we are spending 4 nights in raro, and ten in aitutaki. The cook islands are an island country in free association with new zealand in the pacific ocean whose nearest neighbors are french polynesia, niue, american samoa, and samoa. It includes legends like ina, maui, ngaru and ru, historical figures, and contemporary. May, 2016 the cook islands are located in the south pacific ocean and comprise 15 major islands spread over 2,200,000 square km. The cook islands are 15 tiny specks in the south pacific, between samoa and french polynesia. An unspoiled paradise, complete with white sand beaches, blue lagoons, and lush green mountains. Aitutaki is a rather flat island, the highest point of the island is mount maungapu, a hill that reaches.
Learn to number 1 to 8 in cook islands maori, maori kuki airani rarotonga. The infamous captain william bligh of the bounty landed on aitutaki in 1789 he is credited. This property also has one of the bestrated locations in arutanga. The southern group of islands includes palmerston, aitutaki, manuae uninhabited, takutea, mitiaro, atiu, mauke, rarotonga, and mangaia. Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area. Coach transfer from all hotels and motels to rarotonga international airport are available for an 8 am departure to aitutaki. Well written, with humor and wit, the book is designed for those of us that tend to avoid big tours, choosing more to explore on our own. The cook islands main population centres are on the island of rarotonga,007 in 2016, where there is an international airport. Mondays to saturdays from rarotonga, departing at 8 am and returning by 5. The cook islands, the best kept secret in the pacific ocean. Cook islands genealogy genealogy familysearch wiki.
Records are generally kept on the local level in the cook islands. Understanding aitutaki culture before your cook islands. The cook islands are named after captain james cook, who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777. Rarotonga history, cook islands history, colonisation. Hi everyone, does any know of a novelbook set in the cook islands. Sunday is definitely a day for rest, and residents are expected to attend one of the several churches throughout the island. It consists of 15 small islands and is comprised of two main groups, the southern or lower cook islands rarotonga, mangaia, atiu, aitutaki, mauke, mitiaro, and manuae and teauotu and the northern cook islands nassau, palmerston, penrhyn, manihiki, rakahanga, pukapuka, and suwarrow. Books about aitutaki and the cook islands boing boing. Travel to the cook islands, and relax under our palms. Get to the heart of rarotonga, samoa and tonga and begin your journey now. The islands were formerly called the hervey islands. For a tiny island, miles away from the nearest civilisation, tropical rarotonga has. Aitutaki tourism aitutaki hotels bed and breakfast aitutaki aitutaki holiday rentals aitutaki holiday packages flights to aitutaki.
The southern group, of which rarotonga is the main island, also comprises aitutaki, atiu, mitiaro, mauke, and mangaia. Aitutaki was the first of the cook islands to accept christianity, after london missionary society lms missionary john williams visited in 1821. Well written, with humor and wit, the book is designed for those of us that tend to avoid big tours, choosing more to. There is a wealth of history and culture to absorb in the cook islands. History of aitutaki, experience the modern and ancient historic past events, people and governments of aitutaki lonely planet lonely planet travel guides and travel information hi there, we use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Rarotonga history information and cook islands history information. Aitutaki is the second most visited of the cook islands, and particularly popular with honeymooners. The cook islands are made up of 15 islands, spread over an area of over half a million square miles of ocean. A must read for serious students of cook islands history and culture. The original records are held by the cook islands ministry of justice jurisdictions. Many of these sites are the storybooks of our ancestors as they remind us who we are and from where we came. History of aitutaki lonely planet travel information. The books most travellers are concerned with are travel guides. Cook islands coffee company monwedfri for croissants look for orange cone 50m from petrol station moturakau hermit crabs, birds tikioki beach and marine reserve.
Photo of outrigger sailing canoe, aitutaki, cook islands by ben grummels. Its 15 small atolls and islands have a total land area comparable to that of a mediumsized city, but they are spread over about 770,000 square miles 2,000,000 square km of seaan. This island is after rarotonga the island of the cook islands most frequented by tourists. Photo of polynesian voyaging society replica sailing sailing canoe, the hokulea after sailing from hawaii to aitutaki, cook islands. We welcome user additions to familysearch historical records wiki articles. The cook islanders are maoris, a polynesian people, and are largely christians. Institute of pacific studies and the cook islands centre, university of the south pacific. Cook islands online genealogy records these are genealogy links to french polynesia online databases to assist in researching your family history.
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