Mauke – “The land of Uke”, part of the Kingdom of Rarotonga from 1871
According to oral tradition, Mauke was discovered by Uke and named Ma’uke, “the land of Uke”, after him. For a long time the island was dominated by Atiu and often raided. In 1823 John Williams of the London Missionary Society became the first European to sight Mauke, leaving behind the preacher Haavi. Through a marriage between ariki of Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro and of Rarotonga in the 1860s, Mauke became part of the Kingdom of Rarotonga in 1871.
It became a British protectorate in 1888 and was annexed by New Zealand in 1901. In 1904, religious differences led to the founding of the coastal village of Kimiangatau. Today Mauke is a peaceful island community. Share your own Mauke stories and memories with us!