Cook Islands

Overview

The Cook Islands lie in the South Pacific, between New Zealand and French Polynesia, made up of 15 islands, the most populous of which is Rarotonga. The country takes its name from British explorer James Cook, who charted the region in the 18th century, though he did not discover all the islands himself. Since 1965, the Cook Islands have been a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand: it has its own government and legislature, and residents hold New Zealand citizenship, while defense and certain foreign affairs matters fall under New Zealand's responsibility. The official languages are English and Cook Islands Māori.

Avarua, on Rarotonga, is the capital and main port of the Cook Islands, where the market and waterfront promenade form the center of daily life. Rarotonga's mountainous interior, capped by Te Rua Manga (The Needle), offers hiking through the island's rainforest-covered terrain. The lagoon of Aitutaki, often ranked among the most striking lagoons in the region, with One Foot Island and numerous small coral islets, is the country's best-known natural sight. The Cook Islands Christian Church buildings, such as those on Rarotonga, recall the missionary presence of the 19th century, distinguished by their white facades built from coral stone.

The coral reefs around the Cook Islands offer excellent diving and snorkeling, with Aitutaki's shallow, sheltered lagoon well suited to beginners. Whales can be observed in Cook Islands waters between July and October, when humpback whales migrate here from the Southern Ocean to breed. Local cuisine is built on Polynesian staples, with ika mata, raw fish marinated in lime juice and coconut cream, as a signature dish, along with umukai, the traditional underground oven cooking method used for festive occasions.