EVENTS AT A GLANCE: 2012
Click on underlined items for more details further down this page
Click on underlined items for more details further down this page
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.
26 JULY TO 4 AUGUST: TE MAEVA NUI
(Cultural festival of music and dance, and celebration of the constitution)
(Cultural festival of music and dance, and celebration of the constitution)
The most important event in the Cook Islands calendar is the annual celebration of self rule, granted in 1965. 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".
16-23 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 main prize of the Pacific Cup. And it's now an annual event with a host of fun events as well as the races. The 2009 event was the biggest so far, with 850 competitors in 100 teams. The Association has its own web site with full details and videos .
Tiare is the maori name for a flower or flowering plant and is often used to refer to the gardenia whose sweet scent fills the air during the festival. The event is in now in several parts beginning in October with Te Mire Tama where Miss Tiare and the Young Warrior are chosen. This final part will see Rarotonga quite literally blooming. Homes, schools and offices are decorated, and special events organised around the floral theme. There's even a prize for the best decorated government building! But the highlight is a parade of floral floats through Avatiu on the 1st. Photos: Cook Islands News
11 OCTOBER: MISS TIARE PAGEANT & YOUNG WARRIOR CONTEST
Gospel days are held on many of the 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
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
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. The theme for this year's celebration is Te Akairo (the signs of my motherland).
Teams from the outer islands will also be selling crafts and other produce from their home during island days throughout the festival. Other events during the festival include coconut husking, and a Maori food festival.
Teams from the outer islands will also be selling crafts and other produce from their home during island days throughout the festival. Other events during the festival include coconut husking, and a Maori food festival.
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. Photographs from Cook Islands News
Right: The event also includes a competition among the Islands to build and race a canoe built in the traditional manner by carving a tree trunk
Special Events in the Cook Islands Calendar
The three photos above and the ones below of Vaka Eiva are the work of a very talented photographer, Harvie Allison. They are reproduced with his kind permission, and in order to protect his copyright, I have added an indelible, hidden watermark which is instantly traceable back to this site. So...do not reuse thse pictures...please contact Harv for his permission. And I also recommend highly a look at his website which includes many more superb photographs.
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1 DECEMBER: TIARE (flower) FESTIVAL
The Miss Tiare contest has long been the highlight of the annual tiare (flower) festival on Rarotonga, and since last year it's been bigger and better. The Ministry of Cultural Development has expanded it into an event called 'Te Mire Tama", which now includes a competition for young men as well. They compete in the Young Warrior (Tama Aito) event.
Watch a short video about Turama
Graves may not be everyone's idea of a tourist attraction, but on Rarotonga they're a spectacular sight on 1st November each year when islanders decorate them with flowers, and candles (real and solar powered!) which burn throughout the night.
Turama is a an ancient Roman Catholic celebration of All Souls Day (2nd November) when people gather at gravesides, laugh about happy times and tell stories of their departed loved ones.
Turama is a an ancient Roman Catholic celebration of All Souls Day (2nd November) when people gather at gravesides, laugh about happy times and tell stories of their departed loved ones.
1 NOVEMBER: TURAMA
JULY TO OCTOBER: WHALE WATCHING SEASON
Nobody organises this one, but for many visitors it's the event of a lifetime! Between mid to late July and October, the waters off the islands are full of whales. They swim close to shore as they head for warmer waters to mate, give birth and rest. In Rarotonga they come so close that you can even watch from the main road through town (Avarua).
Find out where, where and how to see them in our whale watching guide
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
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): 4th June (2012 date)*
Ra O Te Ui Ariki (House of Ariki) public holiday: 6th July
Constitution Day (observed as a holiday on 6th August in 2012)
National Gospel Day (26th October each year)
*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): 4th June (2012 date)*
Ra O Te Ui Ariki (House of Ariki) public holiday: 6th July
Constitution Day (observed as a holiday on 6th August in 2012)
National Gospel Day (26th October each year)
*Not Palmerston which celebrates the birthday of the late Queen Victoria instead
THERE ARE ALSO 11 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
Details at the foot of this page
Details at the foot of this page
The crystal clear, turquoise waters of the Aitutaki lagoon will be the backdrop to the event which will once again take place off the Maina Iti motu (islet). The organisers say it's an ideal location because spectators can be right next to the action and the competitors have a clean wind with no obstructions. A traditional Cook Islands welcoming ceremony will open the event. The actual day of the competition will depend on wind conditions.
After a hugely successul inaugural event last year, the contest is now an annual feature. And twice world champion, Jesse Richman from Maui is the headline name among the competitors. International judges will include Moehau Goold (Tahiti) and Susi Mai (Dominican Republic.
25-29 JUNE: INTERNATIONAL KITE SURFING CONTEST, AITUTAKI
And apart from the contest itself, experts and locals will be showing how to do it in an exhibtion event on Rarotonga's Muri lagoon on Saturday, 30th June. There'll even be a chance to try it for yourself! There's even more infomation about the event here
The young women also have to choose a flower that best represents them, while the young men pick a plant or tree. And all have to recite a speech and showcase their own personal talent, all of it aimed at increasing self-confidence. But at it's very simplest, this is a colourful and very entertaining event, not to be missed. Pictured left are the 2011 winners, Travel Kaukura and Heiarii Ioapa (Photos: Cultural Development Ministry)
But that's not all there is to the tiare festival. More events take place in December, including a parade of floats. Details are lower down this page.
But that's not all there is to the tiare festival. More events take place in December, including a parade of floats. Details are lower down this page.
22 SEPTEMBER: ROUND RARO ROAD RACE
The annual Round Rarotonga Road Race offers a chance to go sightseeing and end up with a sense of achievement! This year's is the 35th and you can opt for the full 31kms around the capital island, the slightly less demanding 10km run...or you could just sit back and watch it. The big race starts at 530 am and the winners should be crossing the finishing line about two hours later. The 10k run begins at 730. The start and finish line is near the Tourism Offices in Avarua. There's also a 5k fun run on the 20th.
MARCH
Te Mire Atu song composers competiton, 1st
Corporate triathlon, 3rd
Penrhyn Gospel Day , 13th
Women's triathlon, 24th
V12 Corporate oe vaka (canoeing) races, 24th
APRIL
Dancer of the Year Contest heats, 12th, 23rd, 26th
Tin man triathlon, 21st
ANZAC cricket match, 28th
MAY
Dancer of the year
National senior finals, 3rd
International senior finals, 10th
Boiler swim, 24th
International triathlon, 12th
Turtles round Raro cycle race, 15th
Matuta mile run, 16th
Rugby league mini masters tournament, 21st-26th
Squash masters tournament, 22nd
Palmerston Gospel Day, 25th
JUNE
Kumete sports day, 4th
Miss Cook Islands pageant, 7th
Mangaia Gospel Day, 15th
International kite surfing contest, Aitutaki, 25th-29th
Exhbition event, Muri lagoon, Rarotonga, 30th
Te Mire Atu song composers competiton, 1st
Corporate triathlon, 3rd
Penrhyn Gospel Day , 13th
Women's triathlon, 24th
V12 Corporate oe vaka (canoeing) races, 24th
APRIL
Dancer of the Year Contest heats, 12th, 23rd, 26th
Tin man triathlon, 21st
ANZAC cricket match, 28th
MAY
Dancer of the year
National senior finals, 3rd
International senior finals, 10th
Boiler swim, 24th
International triathlon, 12th
Turtles round Raro cycle race, 15th
Matuta mile run, 16th
Rugby league mini masters tournament, 21st-26th
Squash masters tournament, 22nd
Palmerston Gospel Day, 25th
JUNE
Kumete sports day, 4th
Miss Cook Islands pageant, 7th
Mangaia Gospel Day, 15th
International kite surfing contest, Aitutaki, 25th-29th
Exhbition event, Muri lagoon, Rarotonga, 30th
JULY
Atiu Gospel Day, 19th
Mitiaro Gospel Day, 21st
Mauke Gospel Day, 23rd
Rarotonga Gospel Day, 25th
Te Maeva Nui (cultural festival)
Opening ceremony, 26th
Float parade, 27th
Celebrations begin, 30th
Whale watching season begins
AUGUST
Constitution Day, 4th
Te Mavea Nui (cultural festival)
Closing ceremony, 4th
Manihiki Gospel Day, 8th
Rakahanga Gospel Day, 15th
SEPTEMBER
Raro 5k fun run, 20th
Round Raro road race, 22nd
OCTOBER
Te Mire Tama (flower festival contests), 11th
National Gospel Day (Nuku), 26th
Aitutaki Gospel Day, 26th
NOVEMBER
Turama, 1st
International rugby "sevens in heaven", 2nd-3rd
Vaka Eiva Festival, 16th-23rd
International netball tournament, starts 28th
DECEMBER
Te Mire Tiare (flower festival), 1st
Tiare buildings decoration day, 5th
Pukapuka Gospel Day, 6th
Tiare schools decoration day, 7th
Mangaia Tri -Series, 22-31st
Atiu Gospel Day, 19th
Mitiaro Gospel Day, 21st
Mauke Gospel Day, 23rd
Rarotonga Gospel Day, 25th
Te Maeva Nui (cultural festival)
Opening ceremony, 26th
Float parade, 27th
Celebrations begin, 30th
Whale watching season begins
AUGUST
Constitution Day, 4th
Te Mavea Nui (cultural festival)
Closing ceremony, 4th
Manihiki Gospel Day, 8th
Rakahanga Gospel Day, 15th
SEPTEMBER
Raro 5k fun run, 20th
Round Raro road race, 22nd
OCTOBER
Te Mire Tama (flower festival contests), 11th
National Gospel Day (Nuku), 26th
Aitutaki Gospel Day, 26th
NOVEMBER
Turama, 1st
International rugby "sevens in heaven", 2nd-3rd
Vaka Eiva Festival, 16th-23rd
International netball tournament, starts 28th
DECEMBER
Te Mire Tiare (flower festival), 1st
Tiare buildings decoration day, 5th
Pukapuka Gospel Day, 6th
Tiare schools decoration day, 7th
Mangaia Tri -Series, 22-31st
On the evening of the 1st, the church holds a requiem mass at the cathedral in Avarua. The priest blesses holy water and takes it to the nearby cemetery at Panama, close to the airport. He sprinkles it on the graves as a symbol of the water used at baptism as a sign of the promise of eternal life. After a short prayer service, and as the sun sets, people light the candles.