Search results
The Cook Islands (Rarotongan: Kūki ‘Airani; [6] Penrhyn: Kūki Airani [7]) is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands whose total land area is approximately 236.7 square kilometres (91 sq mi).
- Culture of The Cook Islands
Social hierarchy and tapu (sacred matters) in the Cook...
- Demographics of The Cook Islands
Demographic features of the population of the Cook Islands...
- Rugby League in The Cook Islands
The domestic Cook Islands rugby league competition begins in...
- History of The Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are named after Captain James Cook, who...
- Flag of The Cook Islands
Cook Islands flag flying at the 2010 Pasifika Festival. Flag...
- Sport in The Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a tier-three rugby union playing nation....
- Rarotonga
Rarotonga. Rarotonga is the largest and most populous of the...
- Cook Islands Māori
Cook Islands Māori is an Eastern Polynesian language that is...
- Cook Islands Dollar
The Cook Islands dollar was the former currency of the Cook...
- Manuae
Map of Manuae. Manuae is a true atoll sitting on the peak of...
- Culture of The Cook Islands
Rarotonga. Rarotonga is the largest and most populous of the Cook Islands. The island is volcanic, with an area of 67.39 km 2 (26.02 sq mi), and is home to almost 75% of the country's population, with 10,898 of a total population of 15,040. [2] The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga.
The Cook Islands are named after Captain James Cook, who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777, although Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña was the first European to reach the islands in 1595. [1] The Cook Islands became aligned to the United Kingdom in 1890, largely because of the fear of British residents that France might occupy the islands ...
- Cities
- Other Destinations
- Understand
- Talk
- Get in
- Get Around
- See
- Do
- Buy
- Eat
The Cook Islands do not have any large cities. The capital and largest town, Avarua (pop. 5000), is on the north shore of Rarotonga.
-21.233333-159.7666671 Marae Moana-13.269167163.1113892 Suwarrow National Park– Cook Islands' only national parkHistory
First settled by Polynesians around 1000 CE, the islands are named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770. The islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand handles defence, foreign affairs (including passports), and currency; otherwise the islands are self-governing. This includes immigration, which is strictly controlled—even for no...
People
Many Cook Islanders will tell you how there are more Cook Islanders living in mainland New Zealand and Australia than in the Cook Islands. The population of the Cook Islands is less than 15,000 but there are over 50,000 Cook Islanders living in mainland New Zealand, and over 30,000 in Australia. Those remaining have often spent time in Auckland, Brisbane or Sydneybefore returning home.
Climate
The climate is tropical, moderated by trade winds. Rarotonga has average maximum temperatures of 25 °C in winter (May–October) and 29 °C in summer (November–April); temperatures in the northern islands are several degrees higher. Most rain falls in summer, usually in the form of afternoon storms. Cyclone season is November to March, but there's a large cyclone only once every five years or so.
There are five living languages in the Cook Islands with English and Cook Islands Māorithe official languages. Cook Islands Maori is often called Rarotongan after the capital island and is the most widely spoken version of Maori in the Islands. Others are Penrhynese, unique to the Northern group island of Penrhyn and rapidly disappearing, and Rakah...
When you book a flight to the Cook Islands you must also book your onwards ticket. The Cook Islands issue entry permits, not visas. On arrival a bona fide visitor is granted a 31-day entry permit that may be extended up to a maximum of 6 months by application to the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. You are not permitted to ...
By plane
Domestic inter-island service is provided by Air Rarotonga. Although you can book flights through Air New Zealand, it is usually cheaper to do so directly with Air Rarotonga. This has become much easier in the past few years, now that they offer online booking. Unless you're a member of Air New Zealand's "Airpoints Dollars" program, you won't receive any airline miles for Air Rarotonga—and then only if you book through Air New Zealand, often at a higher price. Star Alliance mileage for Air Ra...
By boat
The intrepid traveler can visit all inhabited islands by inter island freighters, but these can be weeks apart or worse if you want to get the really remote islands. Details of services are published in local island newspapers. There are no generally scheduled boat or ferry services between the inhabited islands. There are two uninhabited islands - Takutea and Manuae. The only easy way for a visitor to get to Takutea is on the research vessel Bounty Bayoperated by Rarotonga-based Pacific Expe...
One of the cultural shows/dancing at one of the larger resorts. Cook Island Christian Church, RarotongaThe CICC is a fine old white-coral building, much in the same mould as other CICCs in the Cooks. It was built in 1853, when Aaron Buzacott was the resident missionary. Travellers are welcome to attend services but are expected to dress respectfull...
Scuba Diving & Snorkelling, RarotongaThe Cook Islands is a beautiful place to explore both on land and in water. Scuba diving & snorkeling is available inside the calm protected waters of the lagoon as well as outside the reef in the open ocean. There are dive sites all around the island of Rarotonga which host an incredible amount of tropical reef...
Money
The currency used in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" or "NZ$" (ISO code: NZD). It is divided into 100 cents. In this guide, the "$" symbol denotes New Zealand dollars unless otherwise indicated. The Cook Islands also issues its own currency, the Cook Islands dollar, which includes the unusual $3 note, the triangular $2 coin and the 12-sided $5 coin. Cook Islands dollars can only be used within the Cook Islands. Coins of the Cook Islands come in denominati...
Shopping
Black pearls, these can be found in the main town and some resorts.
Economy
Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture and tourism provide the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits a...
Don't eat pizza in the Cook Islands before you have tried the local stuff (which is admittedly hard to find): 1. ika mata(raw fish) with coconut milk, finely chopped vegetables. It is delicious! 2. umu food(prepared in the traditional earth oven) 3. curried eke(octopus in coconut curry) 4. rukau(Taro leaves, usually cooked with coconut cream) 5. po...
- Avarua
- 240 volt / 50 hertz (AS/NZS 3112)
- New Zealand dollar (NZD)Cook Islands dollar
- 17.4 thousand (2016)
Lunch Mon – Fri 11am to 2pm; Dinner Mon - Sat 4pm to 9pm. T: 23 336 or 53 330. Fb: Kai Pizza, Rarotonga. Add to Favourites. Choose from 13 wood-fired pizza flavours ranging from $10 to $23 for dinner, or enjoy a freshly made salad or wrap for lunch.
Sep 13, 2024 · Cook Islands, self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand, located in the South Pacific Ocean. Its 15 small atolls and islands have a total land area comparable to that of a medium-sized city, but they are spread over about 770,000 square miles (2,000,000 square km) of sea—an area nearly as large as Greenland.
People also ask
Where are the Cook Islands located?
Why are the Cook Islands called Cook Islands?
Who was the first Prime Minister of the Cook Islands?
Does the Cook Islands rely on New Zealand?
Oct 5, 2023 · The Cook Islands (Rarotongan: Kūki ‘Airani; [6] Penrhyn : Kūki Airani [7] ) is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands whose total land area is approximately 236.7 square kilometres (91 sq mi).
