Travel the Pacific - Cook Islands

KIA ORANA!

Experience the natural beauty of this widespread chain of sun-bleached atolls and volcanic green islands. Feel the rhythm and excitement of the world famous Cook Island drums and dance. Enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the people. Enjoy the Cook Islands.

May 22nd 2008
ISSUE 26 ARTICLE
Romance in the frangipani air

Stepping off the plane and smelling the frangipani as you step out onto the tarmac is the perfect welcome when you land in Rarotonga. You round the island heading towards the northern coast and pass the lovely township of Avarua before arriving at the Club Raro Resort. Your romantic holiday is about to begin.
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March 31st 2008
My home away from home

University of Auckland Tuakana Leadership student Lena Wong learned to appreciate her culture growing up in the beautiful Cook Islands. But her internship at SPASIFIK gained her a wider perspective of her Pacific heritage.
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Issue 25 Article
Relaxing in Raro

The South Pacific invokes thoughts of unspoiled beaches and romantic tropical getaways, where magical islands with glorious mountain peaks and shimmering blue lagoons beckon.
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Issue 23 Article
Beauty Queen turned model

Cook Islands beauty Krystina Kauvai’s reign as Miss South Pacific ends in November. But not before being chosen to model for an international magazine photo shoot, writes LIZ RAIZIS.
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December 6th 2007
Pero invests in Hilton Raro venture

High profile businessman Mike Pero has joined forces with fellow Cook Islander Tim Tepaki by investing in a unit at the proposed Hilton Rarotonga Resort & Spa, which Tepaki is spearheading
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Issue 21 Travel column
The return of the tata’u

Decades after the traditional body tattoo or tata’u disappeared from Cook Islands society it is back and flourishing in greater numbers than ever. FLORENCE SYME-BUCHANAN reports.
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Issue 21 Travel feature
The warm Rays of Raro

With only a four or five day break away allowed from SPASIFIK, husband and wife team of INNES and ANNE LOGAN left a chilly winter in Auckland and headed to Rarotonga with their son Ben for some much needed sun, sea and local hospitality.
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Issue 21 Travel Feature
Photo Essay: Te Wa - The traditional Canoe of Kiribati

Anthropologist TONY WHINCUP has spent more than 30 years photographing in Kiribati. In our latest photo essay, courtesy of Pacificfocus.org we present his documentation of the traditional canoe from the vast atoll nation.
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The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean and with a total population of approximately 18,000. They lie in the centre of the Polynesian Triangle, flanked to the west by The Kingdom of Tonga and Samoa and to the east by Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia. The Cook’s are split into two groups. The Southern Group includes the mountainous main island of Rarotonga, the scenic beauty of Aitutaki and the raised coral atolls of Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro. The makatea (uplifted coral reef) on these islands hides deep caves and supports extensive native forest and scrubland. The Northern Group islands are recognised for their turquoise lagoons fringed by white sand beaches and coconut palms.

The Cook Island Maori are related to New Zealand Maori and the Maohi of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Historians believe the first Cook Islanders migrated from the Society Islands around 500AD. By 1901 all the islands had been annexed by New Zealand and eventually became self-governing in August of 1965. Strong links remain between the two countries, and all Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship.

Cook Islanders are renowned as incredibly friendly people, who have succeeded in keeping a strong sense of their heritage and culture alive. As a nation they have a talent and love for music and song, and are famous throughout the Pacific for their distinctive dancing and drumming. Christian music is extremely popular, originally derived from Western missionary hymns. Traditional songs and hymns are referred to as himene metua (hymn of parent/ancestor).
Traditional dance is the most prominent art form of the Cook Islands, each island having its own unique dances that are taught from childhood and accompanied by dynamic drumming.
Traditional arts and crafts are still strong, from the finely woven mats, fans, baskets and rito hats, to the beautifully colourful tivaevae. Woodcarving is also prevalent, with strong reference to traditional culture and religion such as the god Tangaroa.

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