Rarotonga

Human presence in the Southern Cook Islands dates back to around AD 1000. Oral tradition tells of several groups settling Rarotonga, including Tangi’ia Nui from Tahiti and Karika from Samoa. An early ariki, Toi, is said…

1 Cook Islands Library & Museum, Makea Tinirau Rd, Avarua. Mon–Sat 9AM–1PM, Tue 4–7PM. A smallish museum. Includes an audiovisual that you can sit and watch. Museum $5. (updated Sep 2025) 2 Cook Islands National Museum,…

The earliest evidence of human presence in the Southern Cook Islands has been dated to around AD 1000. Oral tradition tells that Rarotonga was settled by various groups, including Ata-i-te-kura, Apopo-te-akatinatina and…

Rarotonga (sometimes abbreviated Raro) is the largest and most populous island of the country of the Cook Islands. The island is volcanic, with an area of 67.39 km2 (26.02 sq mi), and is home to 72% of the country's pop…

A weatherproof box where anyone can leave books, toys or kitchen bits and take something else: sustainability can be that simple. What matters is a good spot, permission from the owner or the council, and a few people w…

Not everyone finds smartphones, online bookings or long forms easy. Often a patient half hour is all it takes to help someone. Important: never take over passwords or bank details, go through it together step by step in…

Whether it's a part-time job in a café, delivering leaflets or tutoring: your first job brings not just money but confidence too. Make sure you get a written contract and that your hours fit around school or college. Wh…

A driving licence is a big step towards independence for many, but it takes time and money. Compare offers beforehand, study the theory regularly in small chunks and stay relaxed during lessons. Bikes and public transpo…

Spring brings blossom everywhere, summer calls you to the water, autumn leaves glow and winter gets cosy. Which season do you love most in Rarotonga, and what do you like to do then? Let us know!

Some words only make sense if you grew up here. Which local expression from Rarotonga do you love, and what does it mean? Post it in the comments, ideally with a short explanation for everyone who moved here!

Moving somewhere new often means not knowing anyone yet, and that's exactly when a neighbourhood can show how welcoming it is. Just arrived in Rarotonga? Tell us where you're from and what you're looking for. Everyone e…

Recording is of a Mozart piece. It is recorded by artis as part of the MusOpen Project project. Musopen · Public Domain

What did the sea say to the beach? Nothing, it just waved.