Population 219
8.6 sq mls/22.3sq. kms
8.6 sq mls/22.3sq. kms
Mitiaro boasts the only sizeable freshwater lakes in the Cook Islands. Rotonui (Big Lake) and Rotoiti (Small Lake) are a little way inland on the eastern side of the island. The larger is about half the size of the whole island, and between them, the two lakes account for about two thirds of the island.
They're home to prawns and eels called Itiki, which are like caviar to the Cook Islanders. The island, which is just four miles across at its widest point, is surrounded by a belt of razor sharp, fossilised coral - makatea - 6 to 9 metres (20 and 40 feet) high.
They're home to prawns and eels called Itiki, which are like caviar to the Cook Islanders. The island, which is just four miles across at its widest point, is surrounded by a belt of razor sharp, fossilised coral - makatea - 6 to 9 metres (20 and 40 feet) high.
Access: 3 flights a week from Rarotonga
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Requires the free Google Earth program - Find out more
Face of the ocean
142 miles/228 kms
North East by East of Rarotonga
North East by East of Rarotonga
"THE THREE ROOTS"
Mitiaro makes up part of an island grouping called Nga-Pu-Toru. or "The Three Roots". The other two islands are Atiu and Mauke. It's the flattest and economically, the poorest of the three.
Like the other two, it was once a volcano that sank to become a coral atoll. It was also thrust upwards 10,000 years ago, but unlike the others, it only rose about 20 feet (6 metres). But its coral ring still died forming the makatea - a razor sharp ring around the island.
Mitiaro makes up part of an island grouping called Nga-Pu-Toru. or "The Three Roots". The other two islands are Atiu and Mauke. It's the flattest and economically, the poorest of the three.
Like the other two, it was once a volcano that sank to become a coral atoll. It was also thrust upwards 10,000 years ago, but unlike the others, it only rose about 20 feet (6 metres). But its coral ring still died forming the makatea - a razor sharp ring around the island.
Beaches are limited, but there are crystal clear pools in the subterranean limestone caves
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Everyone lives in one settlement on the west coast, although technically it's four villages. North to south they are Atai, Auta, Mangarei and Takaue. Each is very small and it's difficult to tell where one ends and the next begins! The Government buildings are in the Takaue section so the settlement is usually referred to by that name
Mitiaro is the least visited of the islands in the Southern group. Pacifica Productions In Auckland, New Zealand have created a short video which tells you more about the island. Most of the photos on this page are taken from that video.
