Visiting the Cook Islands during the time of a festival is sure to have you experiencing fun and excitement. Learning about their culture leaves visitors enthralled with the local customs and festival offerings.
Dancer of the Year (Te Mire Ura) Contest
Dance is a large part of Cook Islands’ cultureand each year there’s a keenly fought competition to find the best dancers from across the Islands, held at the National Auditorium of Rarotonga sometime in April or May. This is undoubtedly the best time to watch a Cook Island dance. Watching them dance is like stepping into the heart of this beautiful and proud culture.Events are held for juniors, intermediates, seniors, “golden oldies” and international dancers.
ManurevaAquafest
Don’t miss it! Keep your eyes on the Cook Islands’ ManurevaAquafest. This eventis an annual festival held at Aitutaki Lagoon tocelebrate the rich natural gifts of the Cook Islands.This event is an exhilarating water-based competition filled with kite surfing, outrigger canoeing, swimming and of course plenty of parties!The actual days of competition can vary depending on wind and weather.
TeMaeva Nui
TeMaeva Nui is the most important annual festival in the Cook Islands, where the nation’s self-governance is celebrated. Held from the end of July into the first week of August, this festival is an ideal way to experience the full impact of Cook Islands culture.The festival includes colourful float parades, sports, singing, dancing and drumming where all the islands come together as one nation.
Tiare Festival
Tiare Festival is an annual flower show held in Rarotonga at the end of November – beginning of December. ‘Tiare’ means flower and this is the time of year when gardens, trees and bushes are usually in full bloom. This festival features many float parades with flowers adorning the floats.There are many floral arrangement and floral display competitions. Miss Tiare Pageant and the Young Warrior Contestalso take place during this time.
Gospel Days
This event is a celebration of the arrival of Christianity in Cook Islands. The Islanders celebrates Gospel Day as a national holiday.This event held every year on the month of October, with all kinds of presentations and dramatic religious re-enactments.
VakaEiva
VakaEiva or the Canoeing Festival is now one of the most popular and important events of the year, takes place in Rarotonga, held during mid-November. The annual event hosts races around Rarotonga and attracts more than 850 competitors.It includes a competition between islands to build and race a canoe built in the traditional manner by carving a tree trunk. The winners receive the prestigious Pacific Cup.
Round Rarotonga Road Race
Round Rarotonga Road Race is an annual weeklong event held on the beautiful tropical island of Rarotongain September. The event caters for everyone including families, social, recreational and competitive runners and is a fantastic opportunity to combine a holiday with a once in a lifetime sporting achievement.This race aims to raise funds to help develop Cook Islands Junior Athletics to compete and experience international competitions. There is also a variety of other activities that cater to any running enthusiast including the local fun runs, relays and cross island runs.
Cook Islands International 7s Rugby
Cook Islands International 7s Rugby or known as “Sevens in Heaven” held in early November each year. The tournament is considered the hottest, most fierce, meanest Rugby 7s competition in the Pacific, featuring exhilarating rugby action from both men and women.Watch 20 teams battle it out to claim the 7’s In Heaven title in this tropical paradise where only the toughest survive.
