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. Wood new zealand geological survey, dunedin received for publication june 1967 abstract the geology of the 15 cook islands in the southcentral pacific is briefly described and their geological history outlined. Jul 17, 2006 books about aitutaki and the cook islands. Famed as the entertainers of the cook islands, aitutakians still present spectacular polynesian dances, drumming and song as they have done for centuries. Spanish ships visited the islands in the sixteenth century. World renowned aitutaki is home to the annual manureva aquafest kitesurfing competition in august, attracting some of the biggest names in the sport who come to share the culture and beauty of the cook islands with likeminded people who love the ocean and its natural beauty. It was more by luck than judgement though, as he records in his log book. And that indeed is the measure of a life well lived. Cook island maori is also referred to as te reo ipukarea or the language of the ancestral homeland. Famed as the entertainers of the cook islands, aitutakians still present spectacular polynesian. William bligh will be forever associated with the infamous mutiny on his ship, the bounty, but in cook islands history he will always have a special place as the man who discovered aitutaki. Aitutaki has a unique geographical makeup the island is a volcanic atoll with the typical volcanic peaks in the center of the island with the encircling coral reef ringed by the off shore islands motus and the lagoon in the center. Books about aitutaki and the cook islands boing boing. The aitutaki, cook islands travel guide away lands.
Te tare i roto i te reo kuki airani counting in cook islands maori trade. Mana describes his life on aitutaki and community preparations for celebrating. Learn to number 1 to 8 in cook islands maori, maori kuki airani rarotonga. The spectacular natural beauty of a little paradise is more than just stunning beaches. Archeologists trace the settlement of the islands to the fourth century c. History and ethnic relations emergence of the nation. The variety of accommodation available on aitutaki can cater to all tastes. Relax with a intimate picnic on the alabaster beach of one of aitutakis minor islands, uninhabited and lined with swaying palm trees.
For all practical purposes, the cook islands remained a south seas backwater for the 72 years of new zealand rule, with a brief interlude during world war ii when u. Political history originally named the hervey isles after a british lord, the russians named them the cook islands in honour of the famous captain in 1823. 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. Cook islands booking book your rarotonga accommodation today. We have both always been in love with tropics, and have been everywhere from the maldives to the caribbean and all over south east asia is search of paradise and nowhere comes close to aitutaki. The cook islands and rarotonga were first populated in the 6th century by polynesians who migrated from nearby tahiti. Member of the turama pacific travel group, the largest inbound tour operator in the cook islands since 1990, we offer local knowledge and over 29 years experience on the ground for unique travel experiences. The 10 best aitutaki hotel deals apr 2020 tripadvisor. Reverend john williams of the london missionary society lms sailed from raiatea near presentday tahiti to aitutaki in 1821. The cook islands rarotonga history information, including colonisation and self rule details. Secluded and romantic, it holds a compelling allure for honeymooners, many of whom choose this haven for the duration of their stay.
You can look forward to languid, leisurely days simply reveling in each others company and the jawdropping surroundings. Teking lagoon tours are small and intimate, ensuring a more personal experience. Aitutaki, cook islands this small island encased in a triangular barrier reef boasts incredible lagoons. Its 12 offshore islets, however, are low coral formations. It is an experience no visitor to the cook islands should miss. The majority of islands are low coral atolls in the northern group, with rarotonga, a volcanic island in the southern group, as the main administration and government centre. At the top end of the scale are luxurious resorts that have won many international awards. Cook islands genealogy genealogy familysearch wiki. The cook islands contain 15 islands in the group spread over a vast area in the south pacific. Between april and mid december air rarotonga flies nonstop between aitutaki and atiu every monday, wednesday and friday making it convenient to visit both aitutaki and atiu in a single itinerary.
History before you visit aitutaki, visit tripadvisor for the latest info and advice, written for travelers by travelers. Secluded and romantic, 15 motus islets are sprinkled across this huge turquoise, sunlit lagoon. Understanding aitutaki culture before your cook islands. In 1901 new zealand decided to annex the country despite opposition from the traditional. Let our local knowledge be your guide to the very best places in which to stay in the cook islands. Photo of polynesian voyaging society replica sailing sailing canoe, the hokulea after sailing from hawaii to aitutaki, cook islands.
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 main population centres are on the island of rarotonga,007 in 2016, where there is an international airport. The cook islands exclusive economic zone eez covers 1,960,027 square kilometres 756,771 sq mi of ocean. Aitutaki private island resort aitutaki lagoon cook island. This book will be a vital way of connecting the manihikians to the. Otherwise, new zealand, itself a former colony, never did much to exploit or develop the cook islands. The cook islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometres of the pacific ocean. History it is believed that the cook islands were first settled in the 6th century a.
Today, aitutaki has the modern conveniences of our era. Local guides share their knowledge of the islands, their history and the culture that is aitutaki, cook islands. History lesson, cook islands real estate, rarotonga, aitutaki. Aitutaki atoll, one of the southern cook islands, a selfgoverning state in free association with new zealand in the south pacific ocean. Best deals secure direct booking instant confirmation. Cook islands, selfgoverning island state in free association with new zealand, located in the south pacific ocean. Aitutaki, cook islands choose a vehicle to suit your needs from our well maintained fleet from automatic scooters to fullyloaded cars, hatchbacks and vans, we have a vehicle to suit your needs and budget 4 door saloons, 4 door hatchbacks, 7 seat cars, 15 seat vans, 125cc motor scooters. Some selected cook islands kids books from our pacific collection. Aitutaki was the first island to accept christianity in the cook islands, and they are proud of this significant history.
Kuki airani is a selfgoverning island country in the south pacific ocean in free association with new zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres 93 sq mi. Use the arrows to toggle between morning, noon, afternoon and latest image. Going to the cook islands is an amazing adventure and with papas handbook my husband and i didnt miss a thing. Pa te pou ariki, chief of the takitumu tribe, rarotonga c. 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. 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. The breakfast was perfect, good variety of food, and tasty. Webcam courtesy of the tamanu beach resort and spa. Rarotonga history, cook islands history, colonisation. Rarotonga history information and cook islands history information. 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. Hundreds of cook islanders have poured into the capital, rarotonga, to celebrate 50 years of. The main village is arutanga arutunga on the west side.
Book your rarotonga and aitutaki accommodation with. Captain bligh discovers aitutaki in the cook islands. The aitutaki day tour is an all inclusive tour starting from rarotonga international airport at 8. Check out the scenery at the tamanu beach resort and spa on aitutaki. Whether you are here on holiday, honeymoon, or celebrating a special occasion, teking can add that special something. Learn about the island s myths and legends while taking in its beautiful scenery. They lie in the centre of the polynesian triangle, flanked to the west by the kingdom of tonga and the samoas and to the east by tahiti and the islands of french polynesia. Aitutaki was the first of the cook islands to accept christianity, after london missionary society lms missionary john williams visited in 1821. Teking lagoon cruises aitutaki tours excursions charters. There are some variations in dialect in the outer islands.
You can experience the beauty and the bounty of aitutakis lagoon and its many islands including one foot island right from the front door of your rarotonga hotel or accommodation all the way to our double hulled traditionally styled vaka cruising aitutakis wide turquoise lagoon. Awesome location and views, definitely my favorite part of the cook islands trip. A well known book shop in avarua, bounty book shop sells a variety of books on the cook islands and the south pacific, in addition to local newspapers. A little paradise means aitutaki, home to approximately 1800 people and the worlds most beautiful lagoon. The cook islands are named after captain james cook, who visited the islands in 1773 and. 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. Aitutaki atoll is volcanic in origin and rises to about 450 feet 140 metres.
History various legends tell of early polynesian settlers arriving on aitutaki by canoe. An unspoiled paradise, complete with white sand beaches, blue lagoons, and lush green mountains. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the cook islands. Get this book, plan your trip, you can count on papa mikes up to date information. Coincidental with the opening of the international airport in 1973, cook islands airways limited was established with a single britten norman islander operating a daily flight schedule between rarotonga and aitutaki. Either way, you will feel enriched to have experienced a little paradise 22 comments 30 shares.
On a clear day the fortyfive minute direct flight will treat you to spectacular views of the uninhabited islands of manuae and takutea enroute. Aitutaki lagoon 2020 all you need to know before you go. Drink in the panoramic views of supernatural aitutaki lagoon from your own personal paradise, on your own private island, here at aitutaki private island resort. Links to articles on getting started with cook islands research. 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. Start off your tropical journey in rarotonga, fly to beautiful aitutaki then escape to the unspoilt island of atiu. Ebook on geography and history of the cook islands.
I have created a book that manihikians and all cook islanders can be proud of. Discover cook islands rarotonga and aitutaki holiday deals. Secluded luxury the multiaward winning, fivestar pacific resort aitutaki, surrounded by the breathtaking, tranquil turquoise waters of the aitutaki lagoon, offers an intimate collection of only 29 luxuriously appointed bungalows and villas. European discovery and settlement begain in the 1700s, after captain cooks discovered the cook islands in 1773. The bride, olivia moana jonassen from rarotongaaitutaki, took on. Overall we loved the aitutaki lagoon resort and we would love to come back. Check out these 12 amazing images and book your cook islands holiday today. Institute of pacific studies and the cook islands centre, university of the south pacific. Even more than rarotonga, aitutakis religious culture feels even more rooted in christian beliefs. Traditional cook islands quilting,the by lynnsay rongokea. We know things are a bit different in the world right now, but some facts remain the same. The first settler was ru, who according to various traditions came from either avaiki now called raiatea or from tubuai both in french polynesia. Hailed as the most beautiful lagoon in the world, aitutaki is truly a postcard of a tropical paradise.
I found your blog couple days ago and its very usefull as i am just planning my trip to cook islands. Destination cook islands about cook islands pacific resort. Like the rest of the cook islands, sunday is a day of rest and relaxation on aitutaki. Its only 220 km or a 45minute flight from rarotonga. In 1888 they became a part of the british dominion, due to fears france may seize the islands first. If you do decide to stay in aitutaki book somewhere with a kitchen and take your own food as options are limited and expensive. History and traditions of rarotonga by te ariki tara are. It includes legends like ina, maui, ngaru and ru, historical figures, and contemporary. This tour is ideal for visitors who are only staying on rarotonga and yet wish to experience the. Take your pick of how youd choose to explore rarotongas breathtaking jungleclad interior or immerse yourself in cook islands culture.
After rarotonga, aitutaki is our second most visited island in the cook islands. With a rich history and strong traditions, its great to come to the islands and. A must read for serious students of cook islands history and culture. There is also a larger population of cook islanders in new zealand itself. History of aitutaki lonely planet travel information. The main cook islands language is rarotongan maori. Photo of outrigger sailing canoe, aitutaki, cook islands by ben grummels. The islands were left relatively untouched until 1773, when the nations namesake captain james cook recorded a sighting of the island of manuae. The 15 islands of the cook islands are located in the south pacific, in the same time zone as hawaii. Apr, 2018 if you do decide to stay in aitutaki book somewhere with a kitchen and take your own food as options are limited and expensive. However the stunning lagoon and availability of arable land means that every child still learns to plant and fish. 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. Explore 3 islands of the cook islands with this great combo deal. Cook islands booking book your rarotonga accommodation.