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Special Events in the Cook Islands Calendar
Special Events in the Cook Islands Calendar
YEAR AT A GLANCE: 2009
MARCH
Penrhyn Gospel Day , 13th
APRIL/MAY
Dancer of the Year Contest*
JUNE
Queen's Birthday, 2nd*
Mangaia Gospel Day, 15th
JULY
Atiu Gospel Day, 20th
Mitiaro Gospel Day, 21st
Rarotonga Gospel Day, 25th
AUGUST
Constitution Day, 4th
Rakahanga Gospel Day, 15th
Penrhyn Gospel Day , 13th
APRIL/MAY
Dancer of the Year Contest*
JUNE
Queen's Birthday, 2nd*
Mangaia Gospel Day, 15th
JULY
Atiu Gospel Day, 20th
Mitiaro Gospel Day, 21st
Rarotonga Gospel Day, 25th
AUGUST
Constitution Day, 4th
Rakahanga Gospel Day, 15th
SEPTEMBER
Te Maeva Nui (cultural festival), 11-20th
Pacific Mini Games begin, 21st
OCTOBER
Pacific Mini Games close, 2nd
National Gospel Day (Nuku), 26th
Aitutaki Gospel Day, 27th
NOVEMBER
Turama, 1st
Vaka Eiva Festival, 14th-21st DECEMBER
Pukapuka Gospel Day, 8th
Tiare Festival, 6th*
Te Maeva Nui (cultural festival), 11-20th
Pacific Mini Games begin, 21st
OCTOBER
Pacific Mini Games close, 2nd
National Gospel Day (Nuku), 26th
Aitutaki Gospel Day, 27th
NOVEMBER
Turama, 1st
Vaka Eiva Festival, 14th-21st DECEMBER
Pukapuka Gospel Day, 8th
Tiare Festival, 6th*
APRIL/MAY: DANCER OF THE YEAR CONTESTS (Te Mire Ura)
AND IN MORE DETAIL....
Cook Islanders have a passion for dance and each year there's a keenly fought competition to find the best dancers from across the Islands. Events are held for juniors, intermediates, seniors and "golden oldies". The National Auditorium in Rarotonga is the usual venue for the final and it's a spectacularly noisy and colourful event not to be missed.
11-20TH SEPTEMBER: TE MAEVA NUI
(Cultural festival of music and dance)
(Cultural festival of music and dance)
The most important event in the Cook Islands calender is the annual celebration of self rule. Formerly called the Constitution Celebrations, it was renamed in 2001 because the Prime Minister of the time wanted a Cook Islands Maori name to capture the essence and joy of the annual festival. "Te Maeva Nui" translates as "the major or most important celebration".
Each year, performing artists from Rarotonga and the outer islands gather at the National Auditorium in Rarotonga to present new dances, songs, drum beats and costumes expressing the cultural theme chosen for that particular year. It's also a time when the creative community of the Cook Islands gathers on the capital island, contemporary and traditional visual arts exhibitions are staged, and ancient and modern sports are played between the islands. Other events include coconut husking, and a Maori food festival.
Normally the celebrations are held from the end of July to early August, climaxing on Constitution Day itself - the 4th August. In 2009, however, they've been moved to September so they can be linked into the Pacific Mini Games (see below).
The theme for 2009 is 'Kiriti mau tai - ve'eve'e aroa (welcome and farewell)' which will also be used during the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.
Each year, performing artists from Rarotonga and the outer islands gather at the National Auditorium in Rarotonga to present new dances, songs, drum beats and costumes expressing the cultural theme chosen for that particular year. It's also a time when the creative community of the Cook Islands gathers on the capital island, contemporary and traditional visual arts exhibitions are staged, and ancient and modern sports are played between the islands. Other events include coconut husking, and a Maori food festival.
Normally the celebrations are held from the end of July to early August, climaxing on Constitution Day itself - the 4th August. In 2009, however, they've been moved to September so they can be linked into the Pacific Mini Games (see below).
The theme for 2009 is 'Kiriti mau tai - ve'eve'e aroa (welcome and farewell)' which will also be used during the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.
Pictures courtesy of Cook Islands News
MID NOVEMBER: VAKA EIVA (Canoeing Festival)
In 2004, the Cook Islands Canoeing Association hosted the inaugural Rarotonga Vaka Eiva - a series of canoeing races including a round Rarotonga relay for the Pacific Cup. And it's now an annual event with a host of activities. The Association has set up its own web site with full details of the contest, photographs and information about the Association.
This colourful festival in Rarotonga includes a parade with flower-covered floats, the Miss Tiare beauty pageant and even a competition for the best decorated government building! (Tiare is the maori name for a flower or flowering plant and is often used to refer to the gardenia whose scent fills the air during the festival)
FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER: TIARE (Floral) FESTIVAL
GOSPEL DAYS
1ST NOVEMBER: TURAMA
Graves may not be everyone's idea of a tourist attraction, but on Rarotonga they're a spectacular site on 1st November each year when islanders decorate them with flowers, and candles which burn throughout the night. Turama is a Roman Catholic celebration of All Souls Day when people gather at the gravesides, laugh about happy times and tell stories of their departed loved ones.
Gospel days are held on several islands and celebrate the arrival of Christianity through dramas which re-enact aspects of this event. Some very original and very modern approaches are taken. On Rarotonga in 2006, for example, motorbike riders resembling Rambo were a memorable feature! The events are organised by the Christian Church in the Cook Islands (CICC). Very photogenic, and loads of fun! Find out more
These are the what I would say are the highlights of the Cook Islands year, but there are many more events. Click here to download a free year planner from Cook Islands News
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These photos, from the 2006 festival, are copyright Cook Islands News
By law the following days are official public holidays in the Cook Islands:
Every Sunday
Good Friday and Easter Monday
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
New Year's Day and 2nd January
Anzac Day (25th April each year)
The Queen's Birthday (HM Queen Elizabeth II): June, date tbc*
Constitution Day (4th August each year)
National Gospel Day (26th October each year)
Individual island gospel days (click here for dates)
*Not Palmerston which celebrates the birthday of the late Queen Victoria instead
Every Sunday
Good Friday and Easter Monday
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
New Year's Day and 2nd January
Anzac Day (25th April each year)
The Queen's Birthday (HM Queen Elizabeth II): June, date tbc*
Constitution Day (4th August each year)
National Gospel Day (26th October each year)
Individual island gospel days (click here for dates)
*Not Palmerston which celebrates the birthday of the late Queen Victoria instead
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
POINTERS TO PARADISE:
ISLANDS' WEATHER RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
ISLANDS' WEATHER RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
Dates marked with an asterisk are subject to confirmation
The biggest event of 2009 - in fact, the biggest event in the Cook Islands for over 20 years - is the Pacific Games which are being hosted on Rarotonga. Teams from 22 countries all over the region will participate in 14 different sports, ranging from sailing and squash to boxing and lawn bowls.
NOSE FLUTES AND CONCH SHELLS
The Games begin on Monday, 21st September with an opening ceremony where competing teams will be led into a brand new sports stadium by Cook Islanders in traditional costume and to the sounds of drums and traditional singing. A competiton is underway for islanders to compose a special song with the theme of "Share the Moments". The Games will also feature over a thousand nose flutes, and winning competitors will be called to the podium to receive their medals to the haunting and ancient sound of a conch shell being blown. The closing ceremony is on 2nd October.
NOSE FLUTES AND CONCH SHELLS
The Games begin on Monday, 21st September with an opening ceremony where competing teams will be led into a brand new sports stadium by Cook Islanders in traditional costume and to the sounds of drums and traditional singing. A competiton is underway for islanders to compose a special song with the theme of "Share the Moments". The Games will also feature over a thousand nose flutes, and winning competitors will be called to the podium to receive their medals to the haunting and ancient sound of a conch shell being blown. The closing ceremony is on 2nd October.
BLUE LAGOON BACKDROP
The turquoise blue waters of Aitutaki lagoon are likely to be the venue for the sailing events, because the waters of Muri lagoon off Rarotonga are too shallow for some of the competitions.
FIND OUT MORE
Arrangements for the Games are well in hand, but a lot still has to be sorted out. Look out for our special report page (available in mid December) for the latest information.
The turquoise blue waters of Aitutaki lagoon are likely to be the venue for the sailing events, because the waters of Muri lagoon off Rarotonga are too shallow for some of the competitions.
FIND OUT MORE
Arrangements for the Games are well in hand, but a lot still has to be sorted out. Look out for our special report page (available in mid December) for the latest information.
21st SEPTEMBER TO 2nd OCTOBER: PACIFIC MINI GAMES