Cook Islands Sun Visitor Guide Edition 63

enjoycookislands.com

FREE VISITOR MAGAZINE

JULY - DECEMBER 2016

EDITION 63

SEE & DO EAT& DRINK NEWS& REVIEWS SHOPPING LOCAL STORIES

22 RAROTONGA'S MOUNTAIN TRACKS

24 ADVENTURES IN PARADISE

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WELCOME

Welcome

From the Prime Minister Kia Orana, To all our visitors and those planning a holiday in the Cook Islands, I’d like to extend to you a very warm greeting and welcome.

As your hosts, we want your stay with us to be as memorable and enjoyable as possible. We are your home away from home and your time with us will be more than comfortable – it will take your breath away!

There is much for you to explore and discover, whether you are a first time visitor or a returning holidaymaker. You can do that at your own pace and as your desire allows.

There is a natural freedom here that will put you at ease and you will soon learn that Cook Islanders are keen to join you in the fun – out on the lagoon, trekking in the mountains, or dining out at our many restaurants and cafés.

Our world is your world to experience – in our culture and traditions, as well as a wide range of recreational activities.

Above all, we want you to stay safe in this environment we

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enjoycookislands

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In this issue 24

Interview 5

Polynesian’s Arthur Pickering in a league of his own

6 Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s Halatoa Fua

Island life & Culture

10 Pai Chambers, a modest an gracious lady from Arorangi 10 The MD is a DJ 18 2016 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards 19 Kevin Cook: Lifetime Achievement in Tourism Award 20 Vara Hunter: Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award 21 Tourism Awards photo gallery

Health & beauty

11 ‘Best Spa in the Cook Islands’ award winner

Dining & Entertainment

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12 Getting to know one of the most celebrated ‘foodies’ in the Cook Islands 13 Recipe: Fabulous Fish Curry 15 The Guide to Eating & Drinking in Rarotonga

See & Do

call our ‘little paradise’. Take care wherever you may be, whether on our roads or out in the water. And allow us to share with you all the reasons why you must come back and see us again!

24 Adventures in Paradise

Kia Manuia, Honourable Henry Puna

28 Allen Mills, marine engineer, restaurateur and now the father

Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism

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22 Gerald McCormack and the mountain tracks of Rarotonga 26 A little road with great historical significance for the Cook Islands.

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Aitutaki

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29 Mike and Mere, the black and white pearls of Aitutaki 30 The Guide to Eating & Drinking in Aitutaki

Aitu

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31 The Atiu experience, not to be missed

Front cover image: Te Vara Nui Village by David Kirkland

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INTERVIEW

Polynesian’s Arthur Pickering, in a league of his own Born in Rarotonga Arthur Pickering is one of six brothers. His mother is from the island of Mangaia; his father came from Fiji in the 1950s to work as a captain on inter-island shipping.

“I

am the eldest, then there is Winton, George, Trevor, Archie and Clayton,” said Arthur.

“I joined the family business Polynesian Rentals from school at the age of 16. My first job, of course, was cleaning cars.

Then I learned the mechanical side and at the same time worked in the office.”

Polynesian Rentals was started in 1975 in Arorangi with six cars, not far from the Edgewater Resort. As the Edgewater expanded they expanded.

“In the late 70s, we moved from Arorangi to what is now our head office in Avarua.

We kept branches at the Edgewater Resort and The Rarotongan, the main two resorts at the time”.

In the early 1980s, Arthur wanted to expand his personal and business experiences and moved to Sydney, where he stayed for 15 years. His brother Winton took over from him at Polynesian Rentals.

“It was in Sydney that I developed a liking for Rugby League. I lived close to the

North Sydney Rugby League Club grounds, the home of the ‘Bears’. Later, they unsuccessfully merged with Manly-Warringah to form the Northern Eagles. (The number plate for Arthur’s truck today is ‘Bears’).

“There are more people watching Rugby League than any other sport in the Cook Islands.”

“I only played socially then and not a high level. I was in my early twenties and more interested in parties!

In the early 1990s, Polynesian Rentals was expanding, so Arthur decided it was time to return to Rarotonga.

“My brother had done a good job and we had acquired the Budget franchise. The Internet was not around in those days so it was a smart marketing decision.

“We relinquished the Budget franchise in 2012 and have done our own marketing as

Enjoying Rarotonga...

astaway Resort’s C Michelle Oberg is the youngest of five

Arthur Pickering

Polynesian Rentals since. I’m the only brother now involved now; my brother moved on to other business interests,” said Arthur.

Aitutaki, the Aitutaki Sharks.

Games are played on Friday and Saturday during the season (February-May).

“If you want your sport to grow you have to look for the best. So we started introducing overseas players back in 1995

Rugby League in the Cooks Arthur has kept up his passion for the game of Rugby League.

“League is more suitable to the Polynesians. You don’t have to think about too many rules.

It is straightforward – just get the ball and run! And, contact sport suits the Polynesians!

“During the mid-90s when the Australian Rugby League launched the Super League, this made the game really grow here, especially for the kids.

The ARL brought money here and they brought over the super league teams. We were able to set up an office then and grow the interest in league, and every year development funding came through.

“Today, the ARL Super League has been replaced by the NRL, and funding has been cut and the clubs here now do everything on team pride!

The Pickering brothers with their mother (seated) in 1999, L-R: Clayton, Archie, George, Arthur, Trevor and Winton

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As Arthur lives in Titikaveka, so he supports the Bulldogs.

There are seven Rugby League teams in the Cook Islands, on Rarotonga: the Arorangi Bears, the Takuvaine Warriors, the Tupapa Panthers, the Avatiu Eels, NgatangiiaMatavera Sea Eagles and the Tititaveka Bulldogs; and on

Cook Islands Rugby League competition logo

“There is so much sport on the island that we chose this time of year. Everything else starts in May - soccer, rugby union, netball, cricket, you name it!”

“There are six playing fields on Rarotonga and one on Aitutaki. The Finals go to the National Stadium. This year in the Grand Final was held on 28 May when the Eels beat the Sea Eagles 42-2. There are more people watching Rugby League than any other sport in the Cook Islands. The whole family is there!

“The clubs just do it for pride.

They don’t get any money, so they do their own fundraising”.

Arthur said the league competition in the Cook Islands is good but the standard needs to get better.

from Fiji, Samoa. They mostly come here for the season just to play for a club. They stay with families. Some stay longer.

Each club is allowed three overseas players. The clubs fundraise to get them here”.

Away from Rugby League and Polynesian Rentals, what does Arthur Pickering do in his spare time?

“I like gardening and landscaping. I enjoy fishing too, but I go to Mangaia to do that – my mother lives there.

My wife Connie and I often go for long weekends.

“I’ve been married to Connie for twenty years. We met when I returned from Australia. She is a wonderful human being. I was grateful to come back and meet somebody like her.”

siblings. She was born in Christchurch (NZ); her mother was Cook Islands and her father, European.

Travelling often to Rarotonga when she was younger Michelle came to live in Rarotonga in 1984.

In 1986 Michelle was crowned Miss Cook Islands and became the first Cook Islands representative to ‘Miss South Pacific’ and ‘Miss World’.

A nice place for breakfast outside the resort is…

Café Salsa (CITC, Avarua) A pleasant place to enjoy a Sunday lunch is…

The Mooring Fish Café at Avana Harbour My favourite place to have coffee on the island is…

Neil Dearlove’s Cook Island Coffee Ltd at Matevera My ideal place for a sunset drink is…

Wilson’s Beach Bar at Castaway Resort (obviously!)

A restaurant in Rarotonga to experience traditional local cuisine is…

At Highland Paradise’s ‘Island Night’ On a rainy day I always recommend…

Raro Safari Tours – the best experience is when it’s wet!

A great adventure activity on the island is…

Pa’s ‘Across Island Trek’ My favourite stretch of beach is…

To the right of the Rarotongan Resort A must-do shopping experience on the island is…

Shopping for black pearls The best souvenir to take home from the Cooks is…

A locally made ukulele

WINNER

Supreme Tourism Industry Award & Tourism Attractions Award 2016 / 2017

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C oo k I slands T ourism

Halatoa Fua,

the gentle giant of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Three and a half years ago the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation moved away from its inclination to employ marketing-orientated individuals from outside the Cook Islands for the top job of chief executive officer. In December 2012, they filled the position internally with someone with an essentially banking and finance background. he Cook Islands T Tourism Corporation named Halatoa Fua as its new chief executive.

He had been the finance director since joining the Corporation in 2010.

With visitor numbers up, strong stakeholder engagement and interest in the Cook Islands at an all time high, it seems the move has worked well.

According to Halatoa, a dignified, gently spoken man with a deep sense of commitment, the Board felt the new CEO job should develop more into a general management position with strategic management responsibilities, marketing being just an element of that.

He has an open-ended, performance-driven contract: “Keeps me on my toes’ said Halatoa, “I like to work under pressure, that is how I can deliver results. I came into the job to prepare a five-year strategy, which has included developing a long-haul airline strategy to increase capacity from key markets, extending the tourist year to include the

quieter months, providing a targeted approach to destination development, and improving financial prudence within the Corporation.”

Halatoa now calls the Cook Islands home. He grew up in Tonga spending some of his childhood in the USA. He built his career in the banking and finance industry in Tonga, Kiribati and the Cook Islands, and has an MBA from the University of the South Pacific (USP).

“I came here in 2002 on a six-month secondment with ANZ Bank. Fifteen years later I am still here. I have fallen in love with the place and I am fully committed to the Cook Islands. It is my home now.

“At the ANZ Bank most of my customers were tourism operators, so I learned tourism from a risk management perspective and a strong focus on return on investment principles that I now apply in the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. I got to understand commercial lending in the tourism sector, which I believe is a key stepping stone to developing tourism strategies at a

macro-economic level,” said Halatoa.

“I have always had a passion to go into tourism because it is the industry that will provide a sustainable future for our South Pacific people.”

Halatoa said the Cook Islands Government’s airline underwrite program has been a major strategy to diversify the inbound market and create gateways from key markets.

“We identified Los Angeles and Sydney as important gateways to our Northern Hemisphere markets and will alleviate risk concentration over Auckland as an only gateway to the Cook Islands.

These markets attract good visitor yield, longer stay and dispersal to the outer islands, and most importantly they travel in the low and shoulder season.

“The reason these routes are underwritten is because at this stage the airlines don’t see those routes as commercially viable in the short term. Our rationale is to develop these routes to become commercially viable in the medium to long term, through greater investment in the right tourism product and continued commitment from Government”.

Halatoa said the Tourism Corporation also has a key strategy to explore new markets.

‘Soft explorers’ want a safe island paradise holiday to explore experiences and light adventures beyond the confines of a resort

“Asia continues to show promise, especially China and Japan. We have established representation in both those markets – China in 2013 and Japan in 2014. Our offices there are actively using social media and creating public

Halatoa Fua, CEO Cook Islands Tourism Corporation

relations opportunities, often involving well-known celebrities and engaging with the travel trade. There are also local language websites”.

Closer to home, Halatoa said when he came into the new role he was aware of the lack of cohesion between tourism stakeholders, tourism operators, the community and the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation.

“I knew we needed to work closely together to succeed.

Amongst other things, we have greatly increased our consultation with the industry, including ensuring our overseas representatives make regular updates and presentations to tourism stakeholders.

“I always had a passion to go into tourism…it is the industry that will provide a sustainable future for our South Pacific people” “Our communication with the tourism industry and the community has significantly improved through the introduction of the weekly Coconut Connections e-newsletter, Kia Orana quarterly newsletter, the Kia Orana Values program and the Vaka Pride Competition.”

The Kia Orana Values Project was recently developed to strengthen the connections between the community and its heritage…to the Cook Islands’ number one industry – tourism.

“Kia Orana is the essence of the Cook Islands people and our culture. It is not only the way we greet each other - it is who we are!”

Kia Orana Ambassadors help strengthen the connections Cycling is one of the many eco tourism activities between the community, its heritage, and tourism (image: Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours)

Halatoa said one of the great advantages Cook Islands Tourism have as an entity is its direct link to the Tourism Minister, who happens to be the Prime Minister – no bureaucracy in between!

“The Government has an annual budgetary system. In the past six years, we have been fortunate with our budget with it more than doubling during that period. Two thirds go to marketing and one third to destination development and operations”.

Halatoa attributes this financial support to effective strategies and Government recognition that over 60% of the Cooks GDP is generated from tourism.

Other strategies in Halatoa’ five year plan include the expansion of air capacity on current routes, increased global awareness of the Cook Islands, and an investment strategy (a government incentive to encourage reinvigoration, refurbishment and new investment for targeted areas in the Cook Islands), develop the Cook Islands Sustainable Tourism Policies, human resource development in Tourism and, notably, the introduction of a new brand for the Cook Islands – ‘Love a little Paradise’.

In December 2015, Cook Islands Tourism rolled out its first-ever global brand positioned on the tagline ‘Love a little paradise’, which aims to differentiate the Cook Islands nation of just 20000 inhabitants and its fifteen islands from its key competitors, and to raise awareness with a key visitor segment identified as ‘soft explorers’.

According to research, ‘soft explorers’ want an island paradise holiday where they can safely explore a variety of experiences and light adventures beyond the confines of a resort.

They also value authentic interactions with locals. They ‘love a little paradise’.

Halatoa pointed out that sustainable growth is critical to the future of the Cook Islands because of limited land available for development, which limits the number and size of resorts.

“We want to target ‘soft explorers’ to grow the value of tourism, as opposed to the volume.”

“This year we are finalizing our sustainable tourism policies as one of the key outputs of the Destination Development department. It’s a collaborative approach related to waste management, nature protection and cultural heritage conservation - anything to do with the sustainability of our people, experiences, and the environment will add to the uniqueness of the Cook Islands.

“We believe the sustainable tourism policy go hand in hand with the investment policy.

We don’t want the investment strategy to come in at the expense of the people or the environment”.

Overall Halatoa is in happy place right now: “Arrivals this year have increased by double-digit numbers from all key markets. The increase in air capacity has played a key role, together with a consistent marketing strategy across its global representation”.

Whilst arrival numbers have been on the up, Halatoa identified the three ‘corporate’ challenges to be addressed in Cook Islands Tourism Strategic Management Plan: the lack of a global brand, a poorly designed website, and decentralised creative agencies across major markets.

The ‘Love a little paradise’ brand has now been successfully introduced, a new corporate website is due by the end of the year, and steps are being taken to implement the brand globally and consistently.

On the domestic front, Halatoa is working closely with the Tourism Board to address key destination social and environmental risks, such as the ‘growing dog population’ and the ‘lagoon health’ - two such issues on the radar. “We are not mandated to control the country’s environment issues but we can, and do, influence them and work collaboratively with our Government partners.”

Halatoa Fua, who has had a challenging start to his role as CEO of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, concluded: “I am excited and optimistic about the future of tourism in the Cook Islands.”

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C oo k I slands T ourism

A1 Meitaki Awards Acknowledging excellent customer service

M

eitaki Maata to all the visitors in the first half of the year who nominated an individual or business for an A1 Meitaki Award in the Cook Islands.

A1 Meitaki Awards are about acknowledging excellent customer service.

Nomination forms and drop boxes are located at the Cook Islands Tourism Information Centre, at the Rarotonga Airport Departure Lounge, and online at enjoycookislands.com or cookislands.travel.

Below are the nominees so far this year. The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation and the Cook Islands Sun publically acknowledge nominees.

Each of the nominees listed received more than one nomination, many received multiple nominations.

Where an individual was nominated his/her name is shown in brackets, otherwise it was just the business that was nominated.

The Top Twenty (alphabetically) • ADVENTURE COOK ISLANDS (Patrick, Sean and Katrina) • AIR NEW ZEALAND (Mark) • BLACK PEARL AT PUAIKURA (Jane) • CAPTAIN TAMAS LAGOON CRUIZES • CHARLIE’S CAFÉ AND BEACH HIRE (Charlie and Mary) • COOK’S ISLAND BUS (Mr. Hopeless) • COOK ISLANDS TOURISM INFORMATION (Aunty Nan & Marthalina) • EDGEWATER RESORT • HIGHLAND PARADISE CULTURAL CENTRE (Danny) • KOKA LAGOON CRUISES (Bobby) • LITTLE POLYNESIAN RESORT

• • • • • • • • • • • •

MANEA BEACH VILLAS (Rachel) MURI BEACH RESORT PACIFIC DIVERS PACIFIC RESORT (Apii and Franco) PA’S MOUNTAIN TREKS (Pa & Bruce) RARO BUGGY TOURS RAROTONGAN BEACH RESORT & SPA (Loata, Violet & Rose) RAROTONGA RESORT MOKO’S KIDS CLUB (Rose) RARO TOURS (Daniel) SANCTUARY RAROTONGA (Vaseva) SUNSET RESORT TE AKAPUAO HOLIDAY HOME (Charlie & Mary)

What People Said

Enjoy the Captain Tama’s Cruize experience

about some of the nominees!

Adventure Cook Islands: “I (had) a very good experience with Patrick, Sean and Katrina”. Penilleau from France

Apii at Pacific Resort: “Went out of his way to check if we were well and comfortable.” Rachel from NZ Aunty Nan at Cook Island Tourism Information: ‘Welcoming, knowledgeable, helpful, cheerful…went the extra mile. The ‘fixer.’ Susie from Australia

Bobby Hunter at Koka Lagoon Cruizes: “Made my son feel very special letting him help on the cruise…” Deborah from NZ

Jane at Black Pearl at Puaikura: “Made our stay unforgettable, worry free…we weren’t sure about arrival.” Janet from USA

Learn from Danny at Highland Paradise

Bruce at Pa’s Treks: “Patience of a saint, incredibly helpful, knowledgeable to help us get around” Julie from NZ

Daniel at Raro Tours: “Very courteous, always on time, went out of his way to ensure we all had the best time possible.”

Belinda from Australia Edgewater Resort & Spa: “Food, hospitality, friendly, just awesome surroundings with awesome staff! Meitaki Maata”.

Renee from NZ

Violet at The Rarotongan Resort & Spa: “Everyday greeted with a beautiful smile, incredibly helpful and caring.” Donna from Australia

Mark at Air New Zealand: “Mark went above and beyond to help us out with our flight. We appreciated his help very much.”

Krista from Canada

Meet Pa from Pa’s Treks

Pacific Divers: “Great dive company, relaxed organised dive course, friendly.” Rhiannon from UK

Mr. Hopeless at the Cook’s Island Bus: “He is informative, very funny, and an excellent advertisement for the Cook Islands” Brian and Margaret from Australia Marthalina at Cook Islands Tourism Information: “Friendly, high competence, helped us out with visit of Aitutaki.” Florian from Germany

Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes: “A highly entertaining day out. Great personalities, informative show…the food and snorkelling (were) incredible”. Kelsie from NZ

Your chance to say Meitaki!

Reward excellent service in the Cook Islands by nominating an individual or a business for a A1 Meitaki Award.

When an A1 Meitaki Award is given, the recipient receives nothing more than grateful acknowledgment for providing excellent service.

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR AN

A1 MEITAKI AWARD Simply complete a A1 Meitaki Award form at any Cook Islands Tourism Information Centre, or at Rarotonga International Airport, online at cookislands.travel or enjoycookislands.com and nominate an individual or a business in the Cook Islands for excellence in service to a visitor.

Meitaki maata for your interest in acknowledging excellent service!

A1 Meitaki Award forms available from February 2016.

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B L ACK PE AR L S

Lesley & Temu Okotai Harbour House, Avatiu, ph 20 635 email: temu@mblackpearl.co.ck

Grading Guide to Cook Islands Black Pearls This information is a guide for visitors who want to buy a Cook Islands pearl. The criteria and standards are endorsed by the Cook Islands Pearl Authority to promote uniformity and consistency in the classification and grading of Cook Islands cultured pearls. These represent minimum standards and thresholds for each grade.

A higher grading standard may be applied by a retailer or pearl grader.

Visual Grade Perfect

Surface Quality Surface is free from any blemish, ordefect visible to the naked eye.

Lustre Excellent

A

Over 90% of the surface has no blemishes or defects; 10% or less of the surface has one or two slight blemishes (confined within one segment on the surface of the pearl).

High to excellent

B

70% or more of surface is free of blemishes or defects; 30% or less of the surface has slight blemishes (within area of segment).

At least Average or better

C

50% or more of surface is free of blemishes or defects; 50% or less of the surface has slight

At least Average or better

D

30% or more of surface is free of blemishes or defects; 70% or less of the surface has blemishes, with up to 30% deeper blemishes (within area of segments).

Dull or better

No side is free of blemishes, or defects; over 30% of surface has deep blemishes

Dull or better

Low grade pearl

What is Lustre?

Surface quality and lustre are very critical factors in determining a pearl’s grade. However lustre is what separates the inferior pearl from the superior and the ordinary from the extraordinary. For example if the surface quality is an “A” category but with a “dull” lustre, the pearl would be graded down to a D.

What are the categories for lustre?

Excellent

Exceptional shine; mirror-like and sharp reflection

High

Less shine than ‘excellent’ but reflection is well defined

Average

Shine and reflection are average

Dull

Very little shine or reflection; appears chalky, milky or dull.

Enquiries to COOK ISLANDS PEARL AUTHORITY, PO Box 153, Rarotonga | T 29 055 | F 29 045 | E pearlinfo@pearlauthority.co.ck

Pearls for Pandora Carved Pearls Shell and Bone Jewellery

OPENING HOURS Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm Tokerau Jim’s shop at Matavera - main road on eastern-side before Muri Beach

Saturday morning, 8am-12pm Tokerau Jim’s shop at Punanga Nui Market in Avarua, with pearl carving demonstrations and free name engraving.

www.tokeraujim.com

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I sland L ife

The Cook Islands’ master pearl carver Tokerau Jim, whose family comes from the island of Manihiki, the heart of the Cook Islands pearl industry, skillfully creates affordable jewellery with pearl shells and black pearls.

One of only a few pearl carvers in the world, Tokerau Jim can be observed pearl carving every Saturday morning at the Punanga Nui Cultural Market near Avarua, where he carves and personally engraves his work

for those who ask. During the week his main retail shop is located on the main road at Matavera on the eastern side of Rarotonga.

A Tokerau Jim carved piece is distinctive in that he

Black pearls fit for a wedding royal Pearls were discovered thousands of years ago by the people of the South Pacific searching for food in the lagoons and waters surrounding their islands.

They have valued this fabulous organic gem ever since as an adornment of beauty and celebration, and that appreciation has expanded over the years to a worldwide audience that has included royalty.

Queen Elizabeth II wore pearls at her wedding in 1947. Wearing pearls at weddings has long been a tradition.

uses layering, a technique that gives the design a distinctive depth. It is the original shell or pearl that dictates whether the resulting design will be a flower or a whale, or a traditional Pasifika motif.

A Tokerau Jim carved piece is distinctive in that he uses layering

Black Pearls

Pacific Fabric Art For your Home

If you love the colours and contours of the Cook Islands and the intricacy of applique embroidery then you will want to see the range of bedding, home décor and accessories at Tivaevae Collectables. Take home something to remind you of your visit to the Cooks!

The Cook Islands has a proud heritage in commercial pearling going back to the 1890s when the lagoons of Manihiki and Tongareva (Penrhyn) were harvested for natural pearls and mother-ofpearl shells. Today, cultured black pearls are farmed in these same remote and pristine lagoons 1200km from Rarotonga, where pearl farming is the economic lifeline for these communities.

In 2009, the governmentsponsored Cook Islands Pearl Authority developed its own brand Avaiki, to set the standards in black pearl farming. The Polynesian word Avaiki evokes the concept of

a spiritual homeland. Avaiki is the registered brand name for premium Cook Islands cultured pearls of A-B-C only grades that are produced by accredited farmers who meet performance benchmarks and standards.

Black Pearls are arguably the best value souvenirs from the Cook Islands; more memorable still if they are associated with a wedding in the islands. Unique black pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, pearl pendants and pearl rings; something for everyone in a wedding party.

And, you don’t have to look far to find a selection to suit every budget.

See Tivaevae Collectables range of bedding, home décor and accessories

Because they grow in the black lipped oyster. When the oyster shell is ground and polished you can see the spectrum of colours.

So the pearls are not black as such but range in colour from aubergine, to champagne to peacock green.

What is special about Cook Islands black pearls?

How do black pearls compare with other pearls in value?

They are second only to the Australian golden pearls ‘South Seas’ pearls.

Beauty & Spa with Rito at MBCH Muri Beach Club Hotel’s ‘Beauty & Spa’ use Rito Cook Islands products because they are natural and locally made. MBCH recommend you ‘pamper yourself in paradise’ with a soothing massage, cleansing facial, nourishing body wrap or blissful manicure-pedicure!

Rito products are used at Muri Beach Club Hotel ‘Beauty & Spa’

Why are black pearls so called?

Most Cook Islands black pearls are produced in the pristine lagoon of the northern atoll of Manihiki. The depth of the lagoon, the water temperature, the current, provide ideal conditions for growing black pearls. They are unique because of their variety of colours.

Located opposite the weather station at Nikao near the airport, look for their MUST STOP SHOP sign on the main road. Amicable owner Anne Reid will greet you in the showroom down the driveway.

Anne started Tivaevae Collectables in 2005 supplying quality Pacificinfluenced ‘machine washable’ bedcovers to the resorts and the range of products grew from there. Now you can buy from the showroom or online!

Unique black pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, pearl pendants and pearl rings

Four things about buying

Rito Cook Islands beauty and health products are made with cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. The range includes cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, tamanu oil, soaps and skincare products. Rito products are available from

CITC Pharmacy in Avarua and from the Rito showroom at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday morning. The factory is located on the main road in Tikioki, Titikaveka. Pop in and say hello when you see the Rito sign out on the roadside!

Call the Muri Beach Club Hotel ‘Beauty & Spa’ on 23000 and ask about their ‘every day’ specials.

What are the basic guidelines for buyers of black pearls?

We value each pearl on its size, shape and quality. The quality of a pearl is determined by its lustre and how clean the surface of the pearl is. So we look for any imperfections on the pearl and the sheen or lustre of the pearl and grade it accordingly.

To judge the lustre of a round or symmetrical pearl, the sharper the definition of your reflection the better the lustre.

This contribution is courtesy of Lesley Okotai from Farm Direct Pearls, Harbour House, opposite Avatiu Harbor.

Pearl & Art Gallery

C O O K

I S L A N D S

P E A R L S

Simple Elegance & Timeless Beauty

Local Art by: Judith KunzLe - Limited edition Prints • ALLAn tuArA - traditional Carving •

Located UPTOWN Avarua, Taputapuatea • ph (682) 22312 • www.moanagems.co.ck

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I sland L ife

Pai Chambers,

a modest and gracious lady from Arorangi made the business bigger.

Eddie is a ‘people person’, very much like his father”.

In 2011, RentRaro (a.k.a. Heritage Holdings) swept the field in the Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards winning the Internet Marketing Award, the Tourism Industry Support Award, and the Supreme Award for Excellence and Innovation, thus being publicly anointed as the premier property management and holiday home rental specialists in Rarotonga. ive years on, RentRaro F continues to flourish under the watchful

guidance of its co-founder Pai Vaine Nooare Chambers, a gracious and passionate septuagenarian born in Nikao on the island of Rarotonga.

Pai Chambers had retired to Rarotonga with her husband Dennis in 1995 after 35 years in New Zealand and Australia.

Sadly, only a few years later Dennis died leaving her to continue the new business they had set up together.

“Born in Nikao, I was brought up in Avarua by feeding parents, not my biological parents. My dad was a doctor and my mum a nurse. We lived at the Sanatorium hospital where they were in charge”.

According to Pai, Rarotonga in the 1940s and 50s was an idyllic island with little modern entertainment. “We had a radio. I liked listening to Ricky Nelson. We also had

Leaving the daily operation of the business to Eddie, Pai pursues her personal passions.

“I am very passionate about Cook Islands culture. We sponsor many cultural things including the Te Maeva Nui celebrations, Miss Cook Islands, the Dancer of the Year, and the Excellence in Maori Language at Tereora College”.

a gramophone, the type you wind up.”

“Our family went to the beach on weekends, but my favourite swimming place was off the wharf at Avarua.”

In 1961, 20 year-old Pai moved to New Zealand where she worked in various government departments.

“I met Dennis at a dance in Wellington in 1962. He’d come from Australia on a working holiday.

“I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but I thought he had a car to take me home from the dance. Instead, we went to the taxi stand. Dennis always had a wicked sense of humour.

Years later he would tell the story about how I thought he had a car that night. He always piped up: you’re lucky I didn’t take you on the bus!” They married in 1963.

From 1972-1985, Pai and Dennis owned a furniture manufacturing and retail business with five retail outlets

THE MD IS A DJ

Pai Chambers in the garden of her Arorangi home seated near the resting place of Dennis.

around Wellington. “We sold up and moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1985. Dennis wanted the ‘Go back home thing’. He learned about the real estate business there, but didn’t like living in Australia, so we returned to New Zealand in 1986. He continued in real estate, and I worked for Inland Revenue”.

where nature meets science

“I am very passionate about Cook Islands culture.”

“Dennis and I retired to Rarotonga in 1995 and built a home on family land in Arorangi”.

of our business with private holiday homes. Word-ofmouth took over and it just grew from there. In 1996 we set up Heritage Holdings.”

They got back into business by accident. A friend in New Zealand wanted someone to look after guests at his holiday

Andrew came to Rarotonga for five years after his father passed away in 2002. Eddie returned in 2008; he had been

Eddie Chambers the son of Pai Chambers is managing director of RentRaro. In his spare time he’s an iconic local deejay with a big love of underground and electronic music.

He has a radio show on 88FM every Wednesday night in Rarotonga called Beyond the Reef, 7 to 10pm.

kinda reached the top “I of what I wanted to do in New Zealand. I was

At left Eddie Chambers at 88FM with DJ’ing partner Davtona

home in Tikioki. “Then they asked us to get a computer and email. This was the start

a production engineer for an alternative radio station, BFM, There wasn’t anywhere for me to go after that, apart from commercial radio, and I didn’t want to do that. It

was the early nineties and friend and I went to New York to make music and be in a different city.

“I made some tracks in New York for computer games.

Back then it was called Trip Hop, a sub genre of electronic music. Very sort of ‘dubbed out’. This was ongoing with

living in New York for many years. Today Eddie is 52, and Andrew is 42. Both sons have degrees: Andrew a BA in Film and Theatre, and Eddie, a Bachelor of Commerce.

“Andrew retrained in Computer Science. Part of his thesis was to set up our website. The name RentRaro originally came from their dad. The 99% internet-based business has really moved ahead since.”

“I am proud and very lucky with my boys. Andrew set up our online presence, and Eddie’s commerce and marketing background has everything else we were doing there, though the real money came from working in restaurants. I came across people like Henry Kissinger, REM, U2 and Madonna… that’s pretty cool.”

Eddie worked in two wellknown restaurants, one was Casa La Femme in Soho: “despite its name it’s actually Egyptian, with massive silk tents and belly dancers; they laid fresh grass throughout the restaurant every Friday”.

The other restaurant was a 24hour eatery called Cafeteria in Chelsea – known for ‘late night noshing with inimitable style’.

Pai is the Patroness of the Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association and a member of the Business & Professional Women’s Association (BPW). Pai is also a member of the Ipukarea Society, an organisation that promotes a healthy and sustainable environment.

“My other passion is my grandkids. I really enjoy them!”

“Eddie totally manages the business now. I take care of the office administration, accounts and quality checks on the properties we look after.”

“Looking to the future, we are hoping to develop two blocks of family land in Arorangi – one next door to me for Eddie and one towards the back road for Andrew.”

Dennis is buried in the garden of the family home. After so much has happened in Pai’s life, the Chambers family is still close.

“I’ve always done DJ‘ing, including in New York. It’s not top 40 stuff, its more underground and esoteric.

When I came back from New York in 2006 to help out my mum, I DJ’d at anything – clubs, parties, people’s houses – as much as I could whenever I could. I finally met the guy who got me into the local FM radio station (88FM) and he invited me to do a show. Today, my DJ’ing partner Davtona and I sponsor our own program Beyond the Reef.

“My top three favourite artists - Bad Brains, Maurizio and Wu Tang Clan”.

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Best Spa in the Cook Islands

According to the World Luxury Spa Awards

For the 6th year, Rumours Waterfall Spa has been named in The World Luxury Spa Awards as the Best Spa in the Cook Islands.

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umours Waterfall Spa is part of the chic Rumours Luxury Villas and Spa, which is run by Australians, Belinda and Andrew Griffin.

Belinda said they are proud of the wide range of health and beauty options at Rumours Waterfall Spa. “For example, hydrotherapy treatments improve life quality by producing an increase in blood and lymph circulation, strengthening the immune

system, improving metabolism and detoxifying the body.

Similarly, with our Vichy Shower, the effect of so much water movement on skin increases blood circulation, hydrates the skin and soothes the nervous system, enabling the body to balance and muscles to relax”.

Belinda said their spa packages are popular with honeymooners and couples celebrating special occasions.

“Our warm stone massages are for those who want to totally

unwind. They also provide relief of chronic conditions such as arthritis and sports conditions.

“Our amazing therapists are devoted to what they do.

Myrna Lacsina trained in the Philippines and New Zealand, and Shelly Chand in Fiji and New Zealand. Both also trained in the Cook Islands.

THE Multi Award Winning ★★★★★

So what is Belinda’s best tip for visitors who want to invest in an hour or more at the Waterfall Spa? “Talk to your therapist and ask questions. Let them know what you hope to gain from the experience.”

Stone massages are for those who want to totally unwind

WAT E R FA LL SPA I N D O O R WAT E R FA L L S VICHY SHOWER C O U P L E S R O M A N C E M A S S A G E S & VA R I O U S O T H E R M A S S A G E S H A L F D AY E S C A P E S FAC I A L S & B O DY S C R U B S

The Vichy Shower

PEDICURES & MANICURES F U L LY T R A I N E D T H E R A P I S T S

M A I N R O A D, M U R I B E A C H , R A R O T O N G A + 6 8 2 2 2 5 51 info@r umour s-r arotonga.com w w w. r u m o u r s - r a r o t o n g a .co m Images: Lara Hotz Photography

Images: Lara Hotz Photography

Inspired by traditional, scientifically-proven, Cook Islands regenerative medicines

A key ingredient in the TeTika® Skincare range, Bioactive Cook Islands Oils are the result of intense research into the traditional Cook Islands medicinal practices.

These remarkable oils have a rejuvenating effect on the epidermis of the skin.

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See the full range of the TeTika® Skincare products at CITC Pharmacy in Avarua.

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D ining and E ntertainment

Relish Raro Flambé sets Rarotonga alight! rown Breach Resort C and Spa’s muchanticipated Flambé Restaurant opened its doors in May to the beat of drums, fire dancing and spectacular fireworks.

Asked about the origin of the name and its ‘maverick’ cuisine style, managing director of South Pacific Resorts, Erika Bult said the menu, décor, service-style, and the attire worn by the restaurant team is based on the local legend of the demigod Maui.

“He stole the secret of fire from the underworld, and after bringing it to the surface the people of the Cook Islands [and the rest of

the world] enjoyed the pleasures of cooked food.

“The unique menu and cuisine style is the brainchild of the company executive chef de cuisine Jocelyn Ballantyne from New Zealand. After five years in the Cook Islands, Jocelyn has become well known for her original approach to food preparation, presentation and her preference to working with organic products.”

The Flambé menu celebrates the use of char-grill and flambé cooking, using fresh flavours to introduce ‘levels’ of the taste experience.

Getting to know one celebrated ‘foodies’ i

– a conversation with Sue

Iconic colonial residence, now well-known restaurant Tamarind Hous natural habitat for foodie, chef, restaurateur, author and world-trav

“Included in the ingredients for certain dishes, patrons are not only invited to enjoy local seafood, NZ beef and lamb, but also ostrich, venison and kangaroo.

The menu is around 70% gluten free and 60% lactose free,” said Erika.

Flambé is open for dinner only (16 and over). Closed Sunday and Monday.

Edgewater Resort’s Award Winning Chefs

Fronted by lawns reaching out to the coral covered waterfront at Tu was built a hundred years ago as a home for the management of the Un later the home of the British Consul. It was refurbished and opened as Sue Carruthers and her husband, Robert Brown.

S

o established the restaurant had become when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended a Pacific Islands Forum in Rarotonga in 2012, the Secretary dined more than once at Tamarind House.

Sue was born and grew up in Nairobi moving to London as a young woman in the ‘swinging sixties’ to work and ultimately take off to the world.

“I went to a business college.

It was a great time to be in London. I worked evenings in a Knightsbridge restaurant, the ‘Borsche and Tears’, which belonged to a mad Hungarian.

It was here that I realised this is what I really enjoyed doing.”

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he Cook Islands Chef Association ran a Salon Culinaire cook-off competition in April featuring iconic Cook Island dishes as well as International

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dishes, and the chefs of the Edgewater Resort swept the field of awards including Best Mayonnaise, Best Ika Mata (raw fish), Winner of Compose Salad, Winner

Chocolate Cake, Cold Desserts, Celebration Cake, Fruit and Vegetable Carvin, and Winner of Best Rukau dish (spinach).

The Little Polynesian Resort turns ten

elebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the Little Polynesian Resort is a boutique resort in Titikaveka (Rarotonga), which features the Little Polynesian Café A new management team led

by Rarotongan-born general manager Louis Enoka is ‘freshening up’ the complex and the café.

“We have fourteen villas, each positioned for maximum privacy. The beach is arguably the best on the island and even on the hottest day, the southeasterly trade wind provides a refreshing breeze,” said Louis.

“All that fresh air is likely to create a thirst and an appetite, so refreshments and food are available all day at the Little Polynesian Café. Our emphasis is on ‘Polynesian

But the travel bug was still there! Despite neither being experienced ‘yachties’, Sue and Bill bought an old sailboat, a Nicholson 32. “We called it Rafiki (means ‘friend’ in Swahili)”.

“We left Cape Town in 1979; our daughter was seven, so she came with us and loved every minute of it. Now she’s a climate

Louis Enoka, the new general manager

fresh’, from the plantation and sea to the table with the least delay.

“If you’re fond of fresh fruits like pawpaw, pineapple, mango, guava, passion, star fruit, banana and coconut; and from the sea, yellow fin tuna, maroro, mahimahi,

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Owners, Guillaume and Karine Kapfer are French and everything about the style

“I borrowed money from my dad and we set up a pizza place called the Pizza Den, and finished up with four!”

“Bill learned how to navigate from a retired British sea captain who taught celestial navigation, and I went on a sailing course.

broadbill, eke and wahoo – as sashimi or ika mata - you’re in for a treat. You might also try Polynesian staples like taro, maniota, rukau, kumara, poke and kuru”.

Little Polynesian Café offers poolside breakfast, lunch and dinner overlooking the lagoon.

Le Rendez-Vous offers French cuisine, naturally! ecently opened on the main road next to Rarotonga International Airport, Le Rendez-Vous Café and Bistro hopes to live up to its name to become one of the favourite places to meet and eat on the island.

“From London I travelled to Europe, India and South East Asia. I lived in Johannesburg and I met my first husband Bill in Katmandu. We got married in Australia and settled in Cape Town.

baked pies and pastries, and savory French crepes. They are keen to bring the tastes of France to both locals and visitors on Rarotonga. and cuisine of Le RendezVous is French. All their food and coffee is freshly-made with local and imported French ingredients, including

The Café is open for breakfast and lunch until 2pm, and the restaurant from 6pm. This is also Rarotonga’s first drivethrough takeaway. And, it’s open on Sundays!

Sue Carruthers of Tamarind House and South Seas Cuisine fame

change expert who travels the world. We spent the next few years on Rafiki. We would stop and work”.

They sailed to the Atlantic coast off South America, then up to the Caribbean and Florida, where they stayed a while.

“I was born on the Equator. I grew up in the tropics. I travelled the tropics. Now I live in the tropics.”

“Finally, we sailed through the Panama Canal spending time in French Polynesia, then on to Rarotonga in 1984. We liked it here and decided to start a restaurant, so we sold the boat in New Zealand and flew back to Rarotonga”.

They bought the Jade Garden in 1984, changing the name to Portifino, an Italian-style restaurant: “We had that restaurant for nearly thirty years.

Today, under new ownership, the restaurant has been renamed Bamboo Jacks”.

“In 1988, I opened the Flame Tree with Robert Brown.

Robbie and I have been together since then. We sold Flame Tree in 2000 and the new owners turned it into accommodation.

“We missed the restaurant business but said if we are going to do it again, it’s got to be an old colonial house, and it’s got to be on the seafront”.

That’s when they bought the old Union Steamship Company House in Tupapa.

“I called it Tamarind House because the Tamarind tree means a lot to me, as it is a Kenyan tree as well a local tree here. It was like a touch of home.

“Robbie is the chef. When we started Tamarind House in 2004 I really didn’t want to be in the kitchen anymore. I wanted to be out front and involved in the designing of the food. I’d had enough of working over the hot grills. Robbie is a wonderful chef – he is more of a gifted chef than I am - we sort off swapped roles!”

Tamarind House Restaurant and garden

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D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

13

e of the most FABULOUS FISH CURRY A Sue Carruthers Recipe in the Cooks

e Carruthers

se, is the indisputable veller, Sue Carruthers.

upapa, Tamarind House nion Steamship Company, a restaurant in 2004 by

During her travels, Sue had picked up scores of recipes and food preparation techniques.

She published her first cookbook The Tropical Garden Cook Book in 1994.

Sue said South Seas Cuisine was really a tribute to the wealth of tropical fruit, vegetables, fresh fish and other foods, found in the Pacific islands.

“I love the name South Seas Cuisine. My favourite recipe is the Fabulous Fish Curry, which has evolved over years of travelling. Like many of the recipes, it is a combination of the best ideas,” said Sue.

“I was born on the Equator.

I grew up in the tropics. I travelled the tropics. Now I live in the tropics, so I wanted a book like this, as there was none! I did a huge amount of research, especially about the vegetables. The book has been reprinted a number of times now.

In addition to Tamarind House, Sue and Robert also own The Rickshaw Café and La Casita Café in Muri.

“Some of the recipes are actually influenced by places we ate in the Caribbean. The mama would kindly give me the recipe.

Some have a touch of Africa, which has also been a huge influence on me”.

Inspired by her years living and working with food in the Cook Islands, Sue published another cookbook in 2010 called simply

South Seas Cuisine. It features tropical recipes from Rarotonga and the Pacific Islands.

“The Rickshaw Café offers Asian cuisine. The Ginger Fish is my recommendation. At La Casita Mexican Café, the Fish Tacos are delicious, as are the Fish Chimichangas”.

Looking to the future Sue said: “I’d like to not work such long hours. And, I would love to get into food travel writing”.

“More travelling, more writing, and probably some sort of a cooking school. Having said that, we would like to downsize our lives a little bit!”

T

here are lots of spice ingredients in this recipe, which originate in Southern India, but as a result this is truly a fabulous curry – everyone asks for this recipe!

(Serves 4)

Ingredients 750g fish fillets (cubed) 1 tablespoon garam masala or mild curry powder I teaspoon salt 4-5 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 cloves crushed garlic 2 teaspoons grated ginger 1 teaspoon crushed bottled chilli or 2-3 fresh red chillies, seeded and chopped Spice blend 1 teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons ground cumin or cumin seeds 4 teaspoons ground coriander

¼ teaspoon cinnamon Pinch cloves ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (Mix the spices together in a small bowl) Sauce

4 large fresh tomatoes peeled and chopped or use 1 x 425g can of crushed tomatoes 2 cups coconut cream Salt to taste 1 teaspoon garam masala 2 level teaspoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander or basil Juice of 1 lemon Method Cut fish into large cubes.

Stir the 1 tablespoon garam masala and salt together. Toss fish cubes in garam masala mix. Keep aside or refrigerate while preparing sauce.

Heat I tablespoon oil in a pan and cook mustard seeds until they start to pop. Remove the seeds and put aside on a plate.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in the same pot and cook onion and garlic until soft. Add ginger and crushed garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring. Stir in the spice blend and cook until aromatic. Add chopped

Lots of spice ingredients are used in the Fabulous Fish Curry recipe

tomatoes and popped mustard seeds, and cook 5 minutes.

Stir in 1 cup coconut cream and cook for five minutes over a gentle heat or until sauce is reduced*. In a separate frying pan heat remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and seal the fish cubes on all sides until golden.

Add the fish cubes to the curry sauce and simmer until just cooked through. Stir in the 1 teaspoon garam masala,

remaining cup of coconut cream, brown sugar, fresh coriander and lemon juice.

Stir only once, then serve immediately.

Hint * Recipe can be prepared in advance to this stage, cooled and kept refrigerated, ready to finish at serving time.

HIGHLAND PARADISE AWARD-WINNING

t h g i N d n Is la C U LT U R A L

PERFORMEDE ON THE SIT AR E OF A 600 Y T’ OLD ‘LOS VILLAGE

Highland Paradise Cultural Centre

KA’ARA - DRUMS OF OUR FOREFATHERS

PACKAGE INCLUDES \\ RETURN TRANSFERS \\ VILLAGE TOUR \\ WELCOME DRINK TRADITIONAL UMU FEAST AND THE MOST ‘AUTHENTIC’ AND ENTERTAINING CULTURAL SHOW SHOWTIMES \\ MONDAY \\ WEDNESDAY \\ FRIDAY @ 5.30PM – 9.30PM BOOKINGS 21 924 OR WWW.HIGHLANDPARADISE.CO.CK

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D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

ISLAND NIGHT SHOWS ON RAROTONGA They are colourful, energetic and entertaining and, combined with a buffet-style feast, they are good value for money. Enquire about the different Island Nights on offer; some are smaller, intimate shows, others larger, spectacular shows with bigger audiences. Always book to avoid disappointment.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday Friday

Saturday

Dinner / Show

Bookings

COST

Highland Paradise Cultural Centre

7.00pm/8.00pm

21 924

$99/$55 (Child under 11) – includes transfers

Te Vara Nui Village*

7.30pm/8.30pm

24 006

$99/$45 (Child 6-12)

The Islander Hotel

7.00pm/8.00pm

21 003

$49/20 (Child 6-12) – show only $15.00

Edgewater Resort & Spa

7.00pm/8.30pm

25 435

$65/$25 (Child 7-12) – includes transfers

Highland ParadiseCultural Centre

7.00pm/8.00pm

21 924

$99/$55 (Child under 11) – includes transfers

The Rarotongan Resort & Spa

6.30pm/8.00pm

25 800

$49/27.50 (Child 2-11) – show only $20.00/$10.00

Muri Beach Club Hotel

7.00pm/8.00pm

23 000

$59.00 (18+years)

Te Vara Nui Village*

7.30pm/8.30pm

24 006

$99/$45 (Child under 12)

Crown Beach Resort

6.30pm/8.30pm

23 953

$55.00/$30.00 (Child 3-12 – show only $15.00

Highland Paradise Cultural Centre

7.00pm/8.00pm

21 924

$99/$55 (Child under 11) – includes transfers

Te Vara Nui Village*

7.30pm/8.30pm

24 006

$99/$45 (Child under 12)

Edgewater Resort & Spa

7.00pm/8.30pm

25 435

$65/$25 (Child 7-12) – includes transfers

The Rarotongan Resort & Spa

6.30pm/8.00pm

25 800

$49/27.50 (Child 2-11) – show only $20.00/$10.00

* Supreme Award Winner at the 2016 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards

Note: details are correct at time of publication, but may change seasonally. Always check with venue.

Matutu – the taste of the Cook Islands.

Started in 2006 100% locally owned

Amazing beers Made using sustainable practices

No added preservatives All natural ingredients

Handcrafted by E. Newnham & J. Puati

Tours Daily at 12pm and 1pm. Tour only $10. Transport & Tour $15. Free beer tasting on tour.

Visit us in Tikioki, Titikaveka. Telephone. 26288. Email. ennn@oyster.net.ck

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D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

G uide to

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Eating&Drinking IN RAROTONGA

There is an eclectic variety of dining and bar experiences in Rarotonga, many on the waterfront, beachfront and in picturesque settings. In the following pages you will discover a wonderful variety of cafés, restaurants and bars to enjoy around the island.

Alberto’s Restaurant Anchorage Restaurant & Bar On the Beach (OTB) Restaurant & Bar The Café Café Salsa Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill Crusoe’s Restaurant & Wilson’s Bar Coco Putt Bistro & Bar Islander Restaurant & Hula Bar Kikau Hut Restaurant La Casita Café Little Polynesian Café Flambé Restaurant Oceans Restaurant & Bar The Rickshaw Café Sails Restaurant & iSOBAR Sanctuary Rarotonga Silver Sands Restaurant & Bar Shipwreck Hut Beach Bar

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Spaghetti Pizzeria & Grill Tamarind House Restaurant The Tumunu Restaurant & Bar Vaima on the Beach The Waterline Restaurant & Bar Café Jireh

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The Yellow Hibiscus Restaurant Le Rendez-Vous Café & Bistro Saltwater Café Whale & Wildlife Café Trader Jacks Bamboo Jacks

The

Spa

#muribeachclubhotel Buy three cocktails and receive a 120MB WIFI voucher

www.rarobuggytours.com

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Ph. 23000

|

www.muribeachclubhotel.com

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Alberto’s Restaurant

Anchorage Restaurant & Bar

Bamboo Jacks

Café Jireh

Located between the Edgewater and Sunset resorts on the main road in Arorangi. Alberto’s is well known for their steak dishes but also offer seafood, chicken, pork, pasta and a fresh salad bar. Small private functions catered for. Open Monday to Saturday. The bar opens at 5.30pm with dining between 6.00 – 9.00pm.

A spacious, open-air, undercover dining room in a tropical garden setting located at the Sunset Resort in Arorangi. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days featuring Pacific Rim cuisine using fresh local produce. ‘Reef & Beef ‘ on Tuesday, BBQ Buffet on Sunday. Happy Hour daily 4-6pm in lounge bar. Live music Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.

Located in Tupapa, Bamboo Jacks offer authentic Asian cuisine in a spacious, modern restaurant. Enjoy your dining experience seated in a comfortable booth, or indoor/outdoor dining within an exotic Asian garden. Open Monday Friday, takeaway from 4.30 pm, dining from 5.30 pm. Sunday takeaway and dining from 5.30 pm.

Open for lunch on Fridays from 11.30am.

Opposite the Airport, we’re world famous for our coffee and custard squares. Everything is freshly prepared including a huge variety of cakes, slices, pies, sausage rolls and sandwiches, plus cooked meals from bacon & eggs and eggs benedict to island pancakes, ‘Caveman’ and ‘Mega Angus’ burgers. Monday - Friday 7.00am - 3.00pm; Saturday 8.30am - 1.30pm.

T: 23 597 or 55 725 E: dine@albertosrestaurant.co.ck

T: 23 004 E: anchorageinraro@gmail.com

T: 28 830 E: bamboojacks@gmail.com

T: 24 776 www.facebook.com/CafeJirehRarotonga

Flambé Restaurant

Islander Restaurant & Hula Bar

Kikau Hut Restaurant

La Casita Mexican Café

Rarotonga’s newest, ‘maverick’ culinary experience. An exciting menu focused on the legend of the demi-god Maui and the origins of fire to the Cook Islands. Exudes ambiance and style. Alfresco dining and bar, plus air-conditioned inside dining. Open for dinner only. Fire-dance on Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Patrons 16 years and over please.

The Islander Restaurant & Hula Bar overlook the pool and ocean at The Islander Hotel offering cuisine made from fresh ingredients supplied locally and imports from New Zealand. Open for breakfast from 8.00am, with an all-day lunch and dinner service featuring light meals to hearty options. $3.50 beer, wine and spirits at Hula Bar. (See ad on page 18)

A fusion of European and Pacific flavours, Kikau Hut, located in Black Rock, offers a top-rated friendly and casual dining experience. Covered indoor/outdoor-dining options in a tropical garden setting. Open from 6pm seven days a week with live music on Mondays and a free transfer service available by prior arrangement.

Located on the main road at Muri village, this Mexican-style ‘street café’ serves a variety of dishes featuring fresh, authentic flavours including Mexican burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, pizzas, and a range of vegetarian options. Fully licensed. Open Monday to Saturday from 5.30pm.

Bookings advised.

T: 23 953 (Crown Beach Resort) E: info@crownbeach.com • www.crownbeach.com

T: 21 003 • E: info@islanderhotel.co.ck www.islanderhotel.co.ck

T: 26 860 E: kikauhut@oyster.net.ck

T: 20 693 E: tamarind@oyster.net.ck

Saltwater Café

Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach

Rickshaw Café Located in the heart of Muri village, The Rickshaw Café is a casual Asian street-style eatery that serves Vietnamese, Indonesian, Chinese, Malaysian and Thai cuisine. Open for lunch (11.30am-2pm Monday-Friday) and dinner and happy hour (from 5.30pm MondaySaturday). Bookings recommended.

T: 22 232 or 75 449 E: rickshaw@oyster.net.ck

Sails Restaurant & iSOBAR Located on Muri Beach and open seven days from 8.00am until late offering Pacific cuisine.

Overlooking the lagoon, Sails offers indoor/ outdoor dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Weddings, receptions and private parties a speciality. Happy Hour 3-6pm Mon to Sat - on Wed, Thu and Fri enjoy ‘The Beach Sessions’ with DJ Switch. Live music Wednesday/Friday evenings (check with venue).

T: 27 349 • E: dine@sailsrestaurant.co.ck www.sailsrestaurant.co.ck

The Café

Trader Jacks

The Café is located in the courtyard of the historic Beachcomber Pearl Market & Art Gallery in Avarua with ocean views. Well known for its locally roasted expresso, iced coffees, homemade cakes, muffins, fresh foods, organic breads, bagel, croissants and retro music, The Café is open Monday - Friday 9.00am – 3.00pm, and Saturday 9.00am-1.00pm.

Located on the waterfront at Avarua Harbour, Trader Jacks (bar and restaurant) is an institution in the Cook Islands. The upstairs restaurant (11.30am-2.30pm, 6-9pm) overlooks the ocean and specialises in seafood. The beachside bar (11am-12pm) is a well-known ‘watering hole’ offering a variety of pizza from 6pm, with live music often on Friday and Saturday nights.

T: 21 283 E: coffee@the-cafe.co.ck

T: 26 464 E: info@traderjacks.co.ck

Enjoy alfresco casual dining while admiring the stunning lagoon view at Titikaveka on Rarotonga’s south coast. Located opposite the beach at the ‘Halfway Mark’, Saltwater Café uses fresh local produce and is open for breakfast and lunch from 9.00am Sunday to Thursday. Relax and enjoy a Lavazza espresso coffee, an icy cold beer or cocktail.

T: 20020 E: cafesaltwater@gmail.com

Tumunu Restaurant & Bar The oldest in Rarotonga, the Tumunu (100metres from Edgewater Resort) is a relaxed restaurant and bar with island-style surrounds, featuring local artifacts, memorabilia and a garden courtyard. The Tumunu offers casual-style hearty meals that include seafood, vegetarian, steaks, chicken and a children’s menu. Their seafood platter for two is a specialty. Open seven nights from 6.00pm.

T: 20 501 • E: jbateman@tumunu.co.ck www.tumunurarotonga.com

Dine on fine Pacific cuisine at the Blue Water Grill at Sanctuary Rarotonga (for ages 18+). In a tropical setting with lagoon views, Blue Water Grill offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from early until late. The evening menu changes nightly with a range of international and local cuisine, along with fine Australian and New Zealand wines.

T: 25 900 • E: info@sanctuaryrarotonga.com www.sanctuaryrarotonga.com

Vaima on the Beach Located in Vaimaanga on the south side of the island, Vaima on the Beach offers indoor and outdoor dining options in an island setting, with the cuisine that has a touch of tropical flavours.

Dinner 7 nights a week from 6.00pm (bar opens 5.00pm), Vaima provide transfers to and from accommodation on request.

T: 26 123 • E: vaima@oyster.net.ck www.vaimarestaurant.com

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NOTATIONS

RAROTONGA

Member of Cook Islands Restaurant Association Member of Cook Islands Tourism Industry Accreditation Scheme

Café Salsa

Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill

Coco Putt Bistro & Bar

Popular café and meeting place for both locals and visitors offering Pacific Rim cuisine, all-day breakfasts and lunch, fresh bread made every morning, and wood-fired pizza. Bistro-style dining and range of coffee. Inside or alfresco dining, open 7.30am-3.00pm Monday to Saturday. Located in central Avarua, next the CITC Shopping Centre.

Located at the Rarotongan Beach & Spa Resort, Captain Andy’s offers all-day dining from.

7.00am-9.00pm. Named after a colourful seafarer from the past, Captain Andy’s menu includes bacon and eggs, pizzas, club sandwich, curries, seafood platter, fish and chips, Caesar salad, surf and turf, and vegetarian.

An 18-Hole mini golf course and café off the main road at Aro’a, Coco Putt is also a bistro and bar with Sky Sports, live entertainment and all-day menu. Open daily 10am-10pm (closed Saturday).

Happy Hour drinks from $4.50. Sunday night BBQ Buffet with live music includes a free game of mini golf.

T: 22 215 • E: cafe@salsa.co.ck www.salsa.co.ck

T: 26 487 E: info@rarotongan.co.ck www.therarotongan.com

T: 27 181 E: jennings@oyster.net.ck www.cocoputt.co.ck

Le Rendez-Vous Café & Bistro

Little Polynesian Café

Oceans Restaurant

Located near Airport. Owners are French as is the cuisine. Freshly made food with local and imported French ingredients, freshly baked pies and pastries & savory French crepes amongst the dishes. Great coffee! The café is open for breakfast/lunch until 2pm, and the restaurant from 6pm. Also, Rarotonga’s first drive-through takeaway. Also open Sundays.

Located overlooking the pool with striking views of the lagoon within the stylish Little Polynesian Resort in Titikaveka is the Little Polynesian Café.

Open seven days for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Little Polynesian Café presents a mix of Island and Mediterranean cuisine accompanied by an expansive wine list and ‘tantalizing’ cocktails.

Beachfront dining open breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Happy Hour 4-6pm, stunning sunsets. Pacific Rim menu focused on fresh flavor sensations, local produce, super-fresh fish and innovative salads.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday nights - a la carte, Friday and Sunday nights - themed menu, Thursday - Island Night Show and Buffet.

T: 24 280 E: dine@littlepolynesian.com www.littlepolynesian.com

T: 23 953 (Crown Beach Resort) E: info@crownbeach.com www.crownbeachresort.com

Tel: 26 121 • E: guillaume.kapfer@yahoo.fr www.facebook.com/lerendezvousrarotonga

Shipwreck Hut Beach Bar

Spaghetti House Pizzeria & Grill

Located beachside at Muri Beach Club Hotel, Silver Sands Restaurant & Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with live music and a theme each night. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - à la carte, Wednesday - Island Night, Friday - Pig & Prawn Night, and Sunday – Reef & Beef Night. Happy hour is 4pm6pm. (See ad on page 15)

Perfectly positioned on the ‘Sunset Coast' at Aro’a Beachside Inn, Shipwreck Hut was voted '3rd best beach bar in the world’ by CNN in recent years. Enjoy the sunset sipping a famous ‘jam-jar cocktail.' Shipwreck Hut offers a range of drinks and bar meals, with live music Tuesday and Thursday, and at the beach BBQ on Saturday.

The Spaghetti House Pizzeria and Grill at The Edgewater Resort & Spa is conveniently located at the Resort’s entrance on the main road. Open seven nights from 5.00pm to 9.30pm, the airconditioned Spaghetti House Pizzeria & Grill offers authentic Italian cuisine with a selection of pizzas, pastas and other signature Italian dishes.

T: 22166 • E: aroa@cookislands.co.ck www.aroabeach.com

T: 25 441 www.edgewater.co.ck

T: 23 000 • E: info@muribeachclubhotel.com www.muribeachclubhotel.com

Dine on the beach at Wilson's Beach Bar or at Crusoe's Restaurant and Bar by the pool. Themed menu every night and a snack menu. Monday - Pasta night, Tuesday - a la carte, Wednesday - Mexican, Thursday - Pizza, Friday - Seafood, Saturday - Curry, Sunday - BBQ. Bar open from 3.00pm, restaurant from 6.00pm.

T: 21 546 • E: relax@castawayvillas.com www.castawayvillas.com

On the Beach (OTB) Bar & Restaurant Beachfront dining OTB at the Manuia Beach Resort is enhanced by the restaurant’s Cook Islands-style sandy floor, kikau-thatched roof and Polynesian-inspired menu. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, OTB also features daily happy hour, Sunday night BBQ Buffet, and live music Sunday and Wednesday.

T: 22 461 • E: rooms@manuia.co.ck www.manuia.co.ck

RESTAURANTS

Silver Sands Restaurant & Bar

Crusoe’s Restaurant & Wilson’s Beach Bar

Vaima on the Beach Located in Vaimaanga, Vaima on the Beach offers indoor and outdoor dining options in an island setting, with the cuisine that has a touch of tropical flavours. Open 7 nights a week from 6pm, Vaima provide transfers to and from accommodation on request.

T: 26 123 Tamarind House

E: vaima@oyster.net.ck

www.vaimarestaurant.com Tamarind House Restaurant is located in a Map reference R17 restored colonial house set on 2.5 acres of lawns adjacent to the ocean. Enjoy coffee, lunch and dinner, or justWaterline drinksRestaurant on the veranda. & Beach Bar The Waterline Restaurant Beach Barcentre, is situated Situated three minute drive from the &town sunset coast for relaxed beachside dining.

Tamarind House is openonOpenthe 9.30am-2.30pm & Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, 5.30pm-10pm Mondaydiners to Friday, have a choiceand of dining5.30pmon the sand or on 10pm on Saturday. the deck looking over the beach. The Waterline Restaurant & Beach Bar also caters for small

weddings and functions.

T: 26 487 • E: tamarind@cookislands.co.ck 161 www.tamarind.co.ck T:E: 22akisiraro@gmail.com Map reference R18

www.waterline-restaurant.com

E a t, dr i n k, e n jo y !

COOKS 02 Pa 04 Clu 05 Ki 6 Ar 08 Ma 11 Av 13 Ar 14 So 14 Mu 15 Te 15 Pa 16 Mu 17 Cr 8 Ar 20 Lit 21 Mo 22 Ta 23 Be 25 Pa 26 W 27 Da 30 Ra 31 La 32 Ba 33 Pu 33 Ar 34 Su 35 Ca 38 Ma 39 Cr 40 Ed 41 Su 42 Th 43 Go 46 RS 47 CIT 48 Ma 50 CO

All n

Waterline Restaurant & Beach Bar

Whale & Wildlife Centre Café

Yellow Hibiscus Restaurant & Bar

The Waterline Restaurant & Beach Bar is situated on the sunset coast for relaxed beachside dining.

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch (11.30am2.00pm) and dinner (from 6pm), diners have a choice of dining on the sand or on the deck looking over the beach. The Waterline Restaurant & Beach Bar also caters for small weddings and functions.

Coffee, teas, cold drinks, quiche & salad, pizza bread, snacks, grilled & fresh sandwiches, muffins & coconut slices are served on an open air, undercover deck. Located at the Whale & Wildlife Centre on the Back Road opposite Mike Tavioni Carvings, behind Avatiu Harbour, the cafe is open 10am-4pm Sunday to Friday.

T: 22 161or 54 322 E: akisiraro@gmail.com www.waterline-restaurant.com

T: 21 666 or 55 901 or 58 727 E: info@cookislandswildlifecentre.com www.cookislandswildlifecentre.com

The Yellow Hibiscus is an undercover, open-air restaurant overlooking the gardens at Palm Grove. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast is served 8.00-10.00am, light lunch 12.00-2.00pm, and a la carte dining from 6.00pm Monday to Saturday. Live music on Tuesday and Friday. On Sunday there is a BBQ with live entertainment.

T: 20 002 • E: beach@palmgrove.co.ck www.palmgrove.net

COOKS 1 B 1 T 2 W 2 S 4 T 5 C 6 S 14 F 15 T 15 P 16 S 17 C 19 L 20 M 21 K 24 P 25 W

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EE ʼʼ SS N N O O Y Y R R E E V EE V D T EE D V II T NV II N

LUGGAGE STORAGE

$49

$5

TUESDAY ISLAND NIGHT

FRESH SEAFOOD

THE 2016 AIR NEW ZEALAND COOK ISLANDS TOURISM AWARDS THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED DURING THE GALA DINNER HELD ON FRIDAY 15 APRIL AT THE NATIONAL AUDITORIUM IN RAROTONGA. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS AND THE WINNERS.

INDUSTRY AWARDS Bank of South Pacific Hotels and Resorts Award Winner: Pacific Resort Aitutaki Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Self-Catering Accommodation Award Winner: Makayla Palms Bank of Cook Islands Private Holiday Rental Award Winner: Kaireva Beach House

FARM + SEA TO PLATE

$3.50

BEERS SPIRITS | WINE SOFT DRINKS

WIFI, RENTAL SCOOTERS & TOUR DESK; FREE-TO-USE-SUNLOUNGERS ON BEACH & GUEST TOILETS; SHOWERS & BEACH TOWEL HIRE

Air New Zealand Tourism Industry Support Award Winner: South Pacific Publishing Ltd Air New Zealand Tourism Attractions Award Winner: Te Vara Nui Village Bank of South Pacific Festivals and Events Award Winner: Motu2Motu Aitutaki Cook Islands Tourism Corporation Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services Award Winner: Sails Restaurant & Bar Bank of Cook Islands Destination Wedding Planners Winner: Muri Beach Club Hotel

SPECIAL AWARDS ANZ Bank Environment Award Winner: Pacific Resort Rarotonga Ministry of Cultural Development Culture Award Winner: Island Discovery Tours Cook Islands Sun Internet Marketing Award Winner: Ikurangi Eco Retreat Bluesky Outer Islands Award Winner: Motu2Motu Aitutaki Pitt Media Group Customer Care Award Winner: The Moorings Cafe CITC Family Friendly Award Winner: The Edgewater Resort & Spa

SPECIAL PERSONAL AWARDS Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award Winner: Vara Hunter

LOCATED ON THE BEACHFRONT [OPPOSITE RAROTONGA AIRPORT]

T +682 21 003 | E INFO@ISLANDERHOTEL.CO.CK W W W . I S L A N D E R H O T E L . C O . C K | FIND US ON FACEBOOK

Lifetime Achievement in Tourism Award Winner: Kevin Cook

SUPREME AWARD Air New Zealand Supreme Award Winner: Te Vara Nui Village

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Kevin Cook The 2016 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Tourism Award The founder of Cook’s Island Bus Passenger Transport Ltd has been recognised for his contribution to tourism.

F

rom simple beginnings, New Zealand born jack-ofall-trades Kevin Cook was destined to succeed in the Cook Islands, a nation that opportunely carries the Cook family name.

His first sighting of the Cook Islands was not from the HMS Endeavour like his namesake Captain James Cook, but from the passenger cargo ship Akaroa. Kevin Cook was bringing his daughter home to visit her grandparents in 1968.

“We were meant to come for a month, but I didn’t get back to New Zealand for four years, and by that time I had my permanent residency”, said Kevin.

As a youngster growing up in New Zealand, Kevin’s first job was working for a plumberbuilder.

“Then I worked as a mechanic’s assistant in the garage of a Trucking Company in North Hokianga. I learnt

a lot there and picked up the nickname ‘Rusty’ because I used to paint cattle crates and truck chassis with red lead paint, so was always covered in red.”

Now in Rarotonga in the late 60s, “I was working for my then, father in-law in the family business shop called Personality House in Avarua, where I was assembling and selling furniture and paint, along with motor bike parts.

Later, the family set up a dutyfree shop which I managed.”

“It’s a hands-on operation and that is how it has survived to this day.”

“I also started a screen printing business, printing the first ‘Tangaroa’ t-shirts. The company was called South Pacific Arts Ltd, included men’s shirts, t-shirts and pareu’s.”

This was an industrious time for Kevin Cook: He started a pushbike hire business and also set up a shop called ‘Top and Bottom Boutique’ selling locally manufactured clothing along with imported garments.

“In 1977, we leased the property where Cook’s Corner now stands and developed the first stage along with a friend, Ron Hall, who was the builder.

Cook’s Corner is named after my family.

“In 1988, we redeveloped the second stage, which included the courtyard area. I wanted to encourage more people to come to Cook’s Corner, so I thought a good way to do that would be to set up a bus around the island that started and finished there. There was no public bus transport at the time”.

So in 1989, Kevin bought a 15-seater Mazda van from The Rarotongan Hotel, did it up mechanically and had it re-painted with a sign on the side, ‘Cook’s Corner’. A bus timetable was set up and the rest is history!

Kevin and Frances Cook with the Lifetime Achievement in Tourism Award

“We started off with the Clockwise bus service, scheduling stops at the main hotels. After about a month we blew the motor and had to charter a bus. The bus service had become quite popular and it showed me that I should go to a bigger bus, so in 1989-90 we bought the 25-seater bus from Kiikii Motel”.

“We introduced an old-age pensioner pass so they could travel to town and collect their pension and travel back home free, which we still have today but conditions apply. We don’t get a lot of locals on the buses, mainly Cook Islanders who have spent time overseas who are used to the public transport system, and overseas workers.

Today, we carry mostly school children, workers, and of course, tourists.

“Soon we decided to introduce the Anti-Clockwise schedule to offer more choice and frequency; then the night schedule. We are really set up as a public transport system.

The Clockwise Cook’s Passenger Bus heading off from Cook’s Corner in Avarua

Kevin Cook ‘at the beginning’ with the Mazda van

“The names Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise became very

popular with the tourists.

“Some believe there should be a public transport system in Rarotonga, and it is acknowledged by Government that we have taken that pressure off them. We receive no subsidies.”

Kevin appreciates the support he has from the hotels and tourism industry.

“Most of our drivers are long term as we require them to be, for safety plays a very important part in our operation. In the fleet we have twelve buses with each bus numbered and named after a family member such as Francy Baby, Bumble and so on.

“Cook is a useful name to have in the Cook Islands, though many think we’re owned by the Cook Islands Government, but we are 100% family owned and operated. The apostrophe in Cook’s Island Bus indicates the company is owned by the Cook family.

So what does Kevin think about his Lifetime Achievement Award: “Very

proud and honored to be nominated, and to receive it.

Didn’t expect it but very much appreciate it.

“We developed from simply being a promotion for Cook’s Corner to a vital public transport system. We took a fledgling bus company and built it. It has given our family a future: “It’s a hands-on operation and that is how it has survived to this day.”

“Our son Danny is now general manager of the business. He’s learning the ropes. Frances and I have been dedicated to this business for many, many years.

In a couple more years, I would like to retire and I would like the family to be more involved and continue with the business.

Public transport is needed here and it is an important part of the infrastructure of the Cook Islands”.

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Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award 2016 This year’s Special Personal Award was presented to Vara Hunter in recognition of her outstanding contribution to tourism in the Cook Islands for over 35 years. n her younger days Ishowcasing as an entertainer Cook

Islands culture in the Pacific region Vara epitomised Cook Islands culture with grace and poise, today she is one of the best known and loved identities in the Cook Islands tourism industry.

Vara Hunter, the Cook Islands icon

In earlier days while living in Auckland with her young family, Vara famously performed and showcased Cook Islands culture working as an entertainer for weddings, balls and functions playing the ukulele and dancing, with a repertoire of NZ Maori, Samoan, Tahitian ad Cook Islands dance items. She danced in New Zealand, Australia and Tahiti, and toured with well known Moari entertainer Sir Howard Morrison.

In the early 70s Vara, her husband and their young family moved back to Rarotonga.

In the 80s they established a family business Ariana Bungalows, which Vara managed in her inimitable style, greeting her guests at the airport in her signature pareu wear and ei katu, and known for her ever courteous, gentle, helpful nature. Vara was a familiar sight on Rarotonga’s roads in her Ariana Bungalows van transporting guests to town and wherever they needed to go. On the sale of the bungalows, Vara took on a management role at Club Raro in the early 90s, managing the resort in her friendly style.

Her daughters were a familiar sight at the resort island nights performing in their dance troupe.

Following her short Club Raro stint, Vara started up Vara’s Backpackers at her homestead in Muri, initially as a small scale operation renting out rooms in the family home on Muri beach, seeing the expansion of the business as a popular backpackers hostel, with Vara yet again greeting her guests at the airport every flight until her children insisted she slow down and hire someone to make the late night-early morning airport transfers. At other times, Vara could be found tending the gardens at the hostel, always with a friendly word for guests passing through.

“Mama Vara remains the gracious lady many of us know and love”.

Her identity and personality are such that she even has a clothing label named after her. T-shirt Factory’s Don Carlaw said of Vara, that every

Farewell

for Vara Hunter

occasion he encountered Vara she was always poised and elegant, positive and gentle and willing to lend a helping hand: “She’s a real identity on the island and someone I respect. I admire her and wanted to honour her with this label,” he said at the time.

More recently, Vara has lent her named to the spectacular cultural village, Te Vara Nui, which was established in her honour. Vara’s experience and skills as a dancer were integral to the show’s choreography.

She also showed the chefs how to prepare the traditional island dishes that are served as part of the buffet. And, naturally, she could always be found with her gardening gloves on helping to create the beautiful gardens that surround the village.

Until last year when Vara moved to Australia (as part of a plan by her children to force her to stop working and relax a little more), she could be found at the Te Vara Nui entrance greeting guests on arrival with her beautiful smile and friendly greeting, and making the rounds of the tables chatting

Some members of the family: L-R Maria Hunter, Vara Hunter, Moana Hunter and Serena Hunter.

to guests and graciously accomodating photo requests.

One often repeated story from the early days is that of Vara catching the eye of Marlon Brando while on holiday in Tahiti, and famously rejecting his advances at a local nightspot. Looking back at the photos of this stunning elegant Cook Islands maiden, the story does not surprise.

And now, almost into her 80s, Mama Vara remains the gracious graceful lady many of us know and love.

Vara was surprised with the award announcement as she didn’t know she was even nominated; she said she has been overwhelmed with the congratulatory comments from the friends, family and members of the tourism industry.

Vara Hunter is a humble and selfless person who has always put her heart into everything she does, with the understanding that her family always come first.

to Air New Zealand’s Cook Islands manager David Bridge

After thirteen years as country manager, David Bridge retires to his homeland. Here is a little about David and his work in the Cooks.

Tell us about your career in Air New Zealand and how you came to the Cook Islands.

Joined Air New Zealand in 1968 as a commercial trainee in Dunedin, before moving through a number of departments including Reservations, Cargo and the Airport as a trainee and later as a supervisor before being appointed Dunedin airport manager in 1991.

As part of this role I often assisted our sales and marketing team hosting clients at events. It was at one of these events - an All Blacks match at Carisbrook - I was asked if I was interested in working in the islands; I later applied for the Cook Islands country manager position in 2003 and here I am! I’ve been very

fortunate having stayed here for thirteen years.

How would you describe tourism here when you took up the position of country manager?

When I arrived there was a strong focus on the growing the tourism industry with Air New Zealand playing a big part. Tourism is still hugely important to the Cook Islands country and Air New Zealand proudly continues to play a role.

What has changed in the years you have been in the Cook Islands?

From an Air New Zealand perspective we have made a number of changes to our network over the years including adding direct flights from Rarotonga to Sydney,

David Bridge, Air New Zealand’s outgoing country manager

and from Rarotonga to Los Angeles. These services have stimulated tourism to the Cook Islands. At the same time, we have had to make the difficult decisions to suspend loss-making services Rarotonga to Nadi and Rarotonga to Papeete.

We have also invested in our services between the Cook Islands and New Zealand – introducing wide body jets almost daily on this route and increasing frequency, which now sits at up to 14 flights per week in the peak season. We’ve also invested in the inflight experience for customers – refurbishing our fleet of Boeing 777-200 aircraft which operate some of our Cook Islands services and introducing our ‘Seats to Suit’ fare structure on narrow body services allowing us to cater to customers at all

David Bridge and some of his staff at the 2016 Tourism Awards

points of the market. Last year we introduced our popular Premium Economy product on wide body services between Rarotonga and New Zealand.

What is Air New Zealand’s commitment to the future of the Cook Islands?

The Cook Islands have been an important part of Air New Zealand’s history for more than forty years now, and we enjoy close relationships with many local industry stakeholders. Air New Zealand remains firmly committed to the Cook Islands and I know the team will continue to work closely with the tourism industry here and match capacity with demand.

What will you and your family miss most about

the Cook Islands?

The warm tropical climate and beaches, the friendly smiling people - many of whom have become good friends - and the overall relaxed island way of life that exists here. I personally will miss our 55 staff members in Rarotonga; they’re a great bunch of high performing Air New Zealanders, many of whom I employed.

What is your departing wish(es) for the future of tourism in the country?

Tourism is going to continue to be a major driver for the Cook Islands economy and I hope to see visitor numbers continue to build steadily over the next few years and the local infrastructure adjust and grow accordingly to cope with increased demand.

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200

While growing visitor numbers is great, there are a number of other destinations competing for the tourism dollar and the Cook Islands tourism industry is going to need to be even more competitive as well as sustainable in the future.

What will you be doing when you return to New Zealand?

I am looking forward to retiring to our house at Mangawhai Heads north of Auckland and getting in some R&R, and taking my body board to the beach. The plan is for us to travel and enjoy life and family. I have a son and three grandchildren in London, and two daughters with two more grandchildren in Auckland, so I’m looking forward to spending more time with them all.

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Email info@tik-etours.com • www.tik-etours.com

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Gerald McCormack One of the Cook Islands' National Treasures G

erald McCormack is Director of the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust. He has worked with the Cook Islands Government since 1980 as Science Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Director of the Conservation Service, and Director of the Natural Heritage

Gerald McCormack

Project. Gerald has a First Class Masters in Zoology, and is an accomplished photographer and author. He is also President of the Cook Islands Library Museum Society Council. He continues to participate in conservation projects.

“Over the past three years I have been working on the environment associated with the Cook Islands nodules and whether mining could ever occur in an environmentally friendly way in the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone),” said Gerald. (Manganese nodules with high cobalt content have been found in huge abundance on the seabed in the Cook Islands).

“Now controversial because of coconut stick-insect damage so

best ignored until we solve the controversy.”

Gerald is totally occupied all day, every day, doing research, working on the national biodiversity and ethnobiology database: “I do an enormous amount of work on new species that are turning up all the time. I came here in 1980 as a science advisor, and that opened up an opportunity to create a database of plants and animals over the past 35 years”.

Rarotonga’s mountain tracks In 1995 Gerald McCormack and artist Judith Kunzlé wrote and illustrated a unique book entitled Rarotonga’s Mountain Tracks and Plants – a field guide to six mountain tracks on Rarotonga with maps and descriptions. Sadly, the publication is now out of print, but it was the precursor to A Guide to Rarotonga’s CrossIsland Track, which contains photographs and maps together with details of flora and fauna that trekkers may encounter. It is designed to show people how to enjoy the approximately fourhour trek from Avatiu to Papua Falls (a.k.a. Wigmore Falls).

“I wrote the first version of Rarotonga’s Mountain Tracks and Plants in 1985. I was interested in mountain trekking so I could record and photograph all the plants. It also seemed to be an important thing to consolidate where the tracks were because I had access to people that knew

“This is the most pristine forest in the South Pacific, and you are going to notice the spectacular views as most of the walks are along the ridges.”

where the real tracks were. They were badly damaged by Cyclone Sally (1986-7). I already had the history of the tracks before Sally, so we were able to determine where the tracks should be for the 1995 book. In the book Gerald details the six main tracks ranging from the easier tracks like Raemaru to the more difficult Te Manga Track.

“When we did those tracks in the eighties we always brought along rope. I would climb up the cliff faces and place the rope. All the tracks on Rarotonga involved a rope sooner or later. As a result the tracks were a little discouraging and a little precarious”.

In the mid 1990s, with funding from New Zealand Government and Cook Islands

Tourism, Gerald and Judith had the opportunity to publish Rarotonga’s Mountain Tracks and Plants.

“The funding also provided enough for me to put in all the ropes and steel staples on the very steep sections. We put in big diameter rope with knots every half metre”.

Gerald said trekkers are often surprised how quiet the forest is in Rarotonga: “You can across the island and only see a couple of seabirds, but not a land bird except for mynas.

The birds are there; they are just very quiet and non-vocal.

When you are sitting having a snack at the base of The Needle and you look down the valley there is a chance you’ll see a fruit dove or a Pacific pigeon flying around. This is the most pristine forest in the South Pacific. And, you are going to notice the spectacular views as most of the walks are along the ridges.”

Walking shoes, running shoes or boots are recommended because the tracks pass over slippery ground, streams and a network of tree roots. No thongs or loose footwear!

“These are rugged walks and they are steep. There is always going to be a place where you are on your hands and knees.

You should go slowly, especially when you are coming down. Come down steep sections the way army people are taught– backwards!

– fingers and toes to the ground” advised Gerald.

“Trekkers should remember the land belongs to someone, so don’t take the mangoes or the bananas, and don’t hide your rubbish and empty drink containers”.

“Te Ko’u is be my favourite walk, but it won’t be everybody’s favourite until you get to the top. You are

Refresh at Pa pu a Falls (a. k.a . Wi where the Cro gmore Falls) ss- Isla nd Track finishes

The main map from A Guide to Rarotonga’s Cross-Island Track

really in the heart of the island near where the original volcano and the original vents were. When you get to the top of Te Ko’u you come out onto a lip and you can look north and see the ocean and Mt Ikurangi. Then you walk across the top, which is a basin with a permanent stream.

Then you walk up to the south side of the basin and you have this beautiful view down the south side.

If you can’t get hold of copy of A Guide to Rarotonga’s CrossIsland Track (try Bounty Book

G erald te

sting som

e

s and st of the rope

Shop), ask locals, the Cook Islands Tourism Information Office or Pa’s Treks. Most other tracks have a sign near the start and along the way, thanks to Gerald, there are a few yellow arrows on trees, posts or rocks pointing the way. Remember, it’s a simple precaution to tell someone where you are trekking, and

eel staple

s he instal

led years

ago

when you expect to return.

“Preferably, trekkers should leave in the morning to allow time for taking photographs and relaxing. There is no reason to be lost on any track if you have a map of the track and you are following the signs and yellow arrows on trees”, said Gerald.

CoOK ISLANDS SuN

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INBRIEF A great day for all the family

The taste of the Cook Islands

It’s fun cruising with Koka Lagoon Cruises who head off SundayFriday at 10am into Muri Lagoon. Glass bottom viewing, snorkeling, non-stop entertainment, an ‘awesome’ coconut tree climbing show, and a fish BBQ. The crew is energetic and funny including Captain Awesome (Papa Jack), his sidekick Captain Amazing (Tairi), Captain Jack Black Sparrow (Nga), Captain Cook (Papa Toru) and Captain Sweet (Barnes).

A tour of the tiny Matutu Brewery located near the Fruits of Rarotonga is a ‘must do’ on Rarotonga, even for nonbeer drinkers! The tour takes around 30-40 minutes and several tastings are included!

The inexpensive tours start at 12pm and 1pm, except when the Matutu A-frame on the roadside says otherwise (that’s when they are brewing).

Coconut crabs at the Whale and Wildlife Centre A NZ traveller on tripadvisor said recently: “It doesn’t look much from the outside but this place is full of info.

The kids even got to see a stonefish and lionfish catch its dinner and the wee ones can touch starfish in the little pool. Worth a visit!” There are exhibits, whale-related and marine artifacts, and nice little café too!

Located on the back road behind the harbour.

supreme award winner A story of pride, love and celebration

The world-class spectacular over-water island cultural show Te Vara Nui Village recently won two awards at the 2016-7 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards: the Supreme Award and the Tourism Attraction Award. For Vara Hunter (the inspiration behind Te Vara Nui - see story page 20) there was a Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award.

C

between each dance so the audience is able to follow the story and the purpose of each dance”.

o-owner of Te Vara Nui, Moana Hunter Nair, explains why the show and dinner is considered ‘spectacular’.

“The moment guests arrive they are ‘wowed’ by the lush tropical gardens and a waterfall flowing into a lagoon with water lilies and plants. Guests are seated in an open restaurant overlooking the water and colourful foliage. The show follows on from the Island-Western Fusion Buffet Dinner, which in itself is spectacular,” said Moana.

“The drummers lead off the show with an overture of pacific beats.

The storyline is introduced as a voiceover and is then narrated

A hint of the ‘spectacular’ begins when a floating barge carrying the chief and his dancing daughter is paddled in and along the line of guests to meet up with the male and female dancers on the central stage.

“The show has been choreographed and designed by a team of expert local dancers and designers. Their attention to drama, intrigue and storytelling is highlighted by exquisite skill in dance and lively drumming. From the youngest to oldest guest, the lighting, costume changes and the switch from fast to slow, male to female, large group to

small, and the fire dancing keeps them spellbound from start to finish. It is truly spectacular!” said Moana.

“The compelling story is of a voyaging warrior named Tongaiti who, with his family, goes in search of new land to call home.”

The Te Vara Nui Spectacular Over-Water Show typically has 7 - 11 female dancers and 6 - 9 male dancers performing depending on how many restaurants are operating.

“Our dancers are young adults who have a passion for their Cook Islands culture. Many have entered and won sections in the Dancer of the Year competition. Our drummers, ukulele players and

o tourism at it’s best!

PA'S TREKS

Across Island Track

• About 3.5 hours • Reasonable fitness needed (not suited for those with heart, ankle, knee or hip problems)

• Transport & light lunch provided • Monday to Friday - weather permitting

Medicinal Nature Walk

• A gentle walk through the noni plantation and taro fields to the mountain. Enter pristine rainforest, visit the sacred Marae.

• Hear stories of Pa’s ancestors and learn about local herbal remedies.

• Tuesday & Thursday

THE TRUE STORY OF PA & THE DOLPHINS Written and illustrated by his wife Jillian Sobieska, this story will delight and inspire children everywhere.

Available from Bounty Bookshop or directly from Pa and Jillian

Bookings 21079 or email jillian@pasbungalows.co.ck | www.pastreks.com

FISHING CHARTERS

conch shell blowers are a troupe of 15 who rotate between 8-10 musicians for each show. They are dedicated musicians who love their culture”.

So what sets Te Vara Nui Village apart from other ‘island night’ shows?

Ph 55096 or A/h 25099

“The Te Vara Nui is an entertaining cultural show performed over water, on floating and fixed stages, within a beautiful tropical waterfall garden setting. The use of the lagoon to showcase the dancers as they float past the guests gives the audience a real feeling for the story of arrival to an island.

“Te Vara Nui is the proud recipient of two of the 2016-17 Air New Zealand Tourism Awards, including the overall Supreme Award, which hopefully speaks for itself!

The Te Vara Nui Spectacular happens every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Their ‘Combo’ deal includes an informative 2-hour cultural village tour, transport to and from accommodation, a drink and shell ei on arrival, plus the Show and Dinner. The Combo starts at 5pm and costs $119 adult/$59 child. The village tour can be experienced as a stand-alone option for $39 adult/$19 child.

If you just want the Show and Dinner, that costs $99 adult/$45 child, with dinner starting at 7.30pm and the show at 8.30pm.

Bookings 24 006.

Ec

SEAFARI

Email: kevin@seafari.co.ck www.seafari.co.ck

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Adventures in Paradise

Meeting the friendly parrotfish

For three law students in their early twenties from Australia’s Gold Coast, a ten-day holiday in Rarotonga in May turned out to be their special adventure in paradise.

B

riar, Claire and Amy stayed in a selfcontained apartment near Aroa beach but spent most of their time out and about enjoying just about everything on offer! Here’s some of what they had to say.

BRIAR:

As a remote island, I didn’t expect it to be so developed. I loved the beaches and lagoons, and the ‘jungle’ atmosphere of the interior. We discovered many cuisines on the island, including my favourite, a French patisserie called Le Rendez-Vous. Seafood is on the menu just about every place you go. We tried the local fish dish ‘ika mata’, which I recommend. What surprised me was the diversity within each activity we tried. Like on the buggy tour, I didn’t expect to visit a waterfall or hit a golf ball on the tour - really good value! I found the local dogs really beautiful and friendly, but I worry about them wandering on the road. To me, Rarotonga is an awesome island holiday with whatever you want to make of it!

CLAIRE:

Diving off Avarua

Fun on the buggy tour

I wanted to go diving because I have my diving certificate, but I was just as keen on snorkelling in the lagoons.

I researched quite a lot, so I had a good idea of what to expect. I met lots of friendly parrotfish and saw great coral formations. One of the nicest things we did, just the three of us, was have a sunset picnic on the beach with some wine, cheese and local fruit (which we’d bought from a road side stall). That was special. I found Rarotonga very relaxing, the waters beautiful, and the view from the lagoon back to the rugged volcanic mountaintops quite amazing. I’ll be back!

AMY:

Three girls on an adventure in paradise

Being fair skinned my first surprise was how strong the sun was. There are so many great activities to do. I especially enjoyed the day out on Captain Tamas Cruizes at Muri. That was really cool! We attended church on Sunday, which had a lovely atmosphere, happy and welcoming, with the local women dressed up in their best hats. Didn’t understand a lot said as most was in Maori. We went paddle boarding and really enjoyed that for two hours, which included some paddleboard yoga. I found the island rejunivating and relaxing, but also quite energetic.

xoxo

Enjoying a coconut drink

CoOK ISLANDS SuN

SEE & DO

Giants in the Harbour

25

Whale & Wildlife Centre

According to Stephenie Jansen, owner and skipper of Rarotonga’s popular semi submersible, Raro Reef Sub, one of the breath-taking moments for her passengers is catching a glimpse of the giant fish that frequent Avatiu Harbour.

“T

hey are Giant Trevally and they live up to their name!” said Stephenie.

“Giant Trevally (locally known as GTs or Urua) are found throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region.

The largest (on record) to be caught weighed in at 80 kilograms, although locals here tell of a GT caught off Rarotonga that weighed in at 120 kg (off the record!). The juvenile and female Giant Trevally are silver in colour, with the adult males, black”.

The Giant Trevally that visit Avatiu Harbour are enticed by the promise of a free meal.

“This occurs regularly when local fisherman return from their fishing expeditions and fillet their fish on the wharf.

This process is entertainment in itself – usually accompanied

Don’t miss it!

BACK ROAD BEHIND AVATIU HARBOUR | CALL 21 666 |

CIWWC

AR KI AR KI AR KI AR KI CHILLAXIN ON AN...

CH ILLAXIN ON AN...

ARIKI ADVENTURE

ARIKI ADVENTURE

CH ILLAXIN ON AN...

CH ILLAXIN ON AN...

by lots of fun and tall stories.

“Throughout the filleting process, fish scraps are put back in the sea and are gratefully received by the fish around the wharf. This is where things can get interesting. Time to keep hands, feet and go-pros out of the water. Although these fish aren’t dangerous, they’re not very discerning.

They don’t eat anything except the fish scraps, but they will have a nibble at a foot or hand if dangled within range during feeding, so beware!”

Stephenie said Avatiu Harbour’s Giant Trevally come and go, so there is no guarantees that visitors will see them.

“If, however, you want to be assured of an encounter with these Giants, book a trip on the Reef Sub, as they have a team of up to thirteen Giant Trevally that feed from our boat as we leave the harbour on our marine life eco tours.

“Our GTs prefer to hang out at the harbour mouth waiting for us. They are incredible to view from the top deck of the Reef Sub as they charge about after our fish scraps. You can get eyeball to eyeball with our GTs through the underwater windows on the Reef Sub.

ARIKI ADVENTURE

ARIKI ADVENTURE

Book now on 27955 or arikiholidays@gmail.com

“It’s like dinner and a show for the GTs. They seem to really enjoy gazing back at the people. We love showing off the Giant Trevally and educating people about them – they amaze our passengers every day!”

Go on safari

on a sea scooter You may not want to try a scooter on dry land but now you have the opportunity to try out Rarotonga’s newest fun experience, a sea scooter safari tour for the thrill of effortless underwater propulsion and the discovery of Rarotonga’s amazing lagoons.

S

ea Scooters are just plain fun. Gliding through the water at 3-4kms an hour is just dreamy!

Muri-based Ariki Adventures run by Kave (KT) and Jules Tamaariki offer four adventure activities on Rarotonga, mountain bike tours, kite boarding lessons, night SUP lagoon tours, and now the sea scooter safari.

Jules reminds us that great snorkeling is an all year round in Rarotonga; now all the more fun!

“On a sea scooter safari visitors experience the amazing underwater world within the safety of the reef, “ said Jules.

“They are led by an experienced marine tour guide.

Our scooters are fun and easy

to use so you can relax, float and watch from the surface or dive below for a closer look at the marine life. Everything is provided for a fun day out including mask, snorkel, fins and a powered scooter”.

Jules said no snorkeling experience is required, but basic swimming ability is desirable.

Sea Scooters Safaris are suitable for ages nine years and above. Tours run twice daily Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and other times by appointment. Tours are 90 minutes – 30 minutes safety brief and gear fitting, 60min tour). Minimum two people per tour. Enquiries 27 955.

“Let the scooters do all the work!

“A sea scooter safari saves energy and gets you to places that you may not be able to get to or return from on your own”.

Tours leave 9 & 11 am, 2 & 4 pm Sunday to Friday (conditions dependent) 9am & 4pm tours by special arrangement

MOBILE

+682 55901 +682 55903 LANDLINE

+682 22608

www.raroreefsub.com

CoOK ISLANDS SuN

SEE & DO

A little road with great historical significance for the Cook Islands.

By Jean Mason, curator of the Cook Islands Library and Museum Society Makea Tinirau Rd is a picturesque road built over 150 years ago. In spite of its narrow width especially alongside the Avarua CICC church, it is still one of the busiest little streets on Rarotonga. Named after the late ariki (chief) Makea Nui Tinirau Ariki (died 1939), this road is home to some of the oldest and most interesting buildings (and graves) in the country.

J

ust east of Avarua along the main road is an old limestone building formerly known as the Sunday School.

It is now a beautifully restored Spanish mission style building known as 'Beachcomber’. It houses boutique shops, an art gallery and The Café. Built in 1845 by the London Missionary Society (LMS) it was used not just as a school for christian instruction but to educate both adults and children in arithmetic and the newly developed Maori alphabet.

The building was destroyed by a cyclone in 1942, restored and then destroyed again in a cyclone in 1967 leaving only half the building usable. By the 1980s only the superstructure remained.

Interestingly the ruined structure had also been used as a 'prison' in the 1982 movie Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence starring David Bowie.

It was restored again in 1992. Opposite 'Beachcomber' heading inland is Makea Tinirau Rd.

Through that century official celebrations have taken place at the palace to mark the visits of such dignitaries as a New Zealand parliamentary delegation comprising over 30 members of parliament in 1903, New Zealand Prime

Ministers Richard Seddon in 1900, William Massey in 1923 and Sir Keith Holyoake in 1965, Princess Te Puea Herangi, the daughter of the New Zealand Maori King, in February 1947, governors general Sir Bernard Fergusson in 1965 and Sir Arthur Porritt in 1972, the Duke and Duchess of Kent in 1967 and HRH Prince Phillip along with Lord Mountbatten in February 1971.

surrounded by the hostels, is the National Auditorium where the dance contests are staged each year in July, culminating on Constitution Day, August 4th, a public holiday.

Makea Tinirau Rd then crosses a small bridge leading to the grounds of the

headquarters of the Cook Islands Christian Church (formerly LMS), known as Takamoa, which was completed in 1843. This site of the founding of the modern post-Christian Cook Islands was handy for several reasons - it was near the main port of Avarua and nearby was the

In front of these imposing buildings are two monuments testament to the work of LMS missionaries who, after graduating from Takamoa Theological College, travelled to proselytise in the Pacific. It records the names of the eight Cook Islands missionaries (some with their wives and children) who were martyrs to the cause of spreading the Christian faith in the central and northwest pacific.

Makea Tinirau Rd is a narrow road but it is full of beauty and resplendent with history.

ship. His tombstone was supplied courtesy of a fund in the United States for the graves of those buried outside of the USA who fought in the American Civil War. Further on is the University of the South Pacific (USP), which opened on its present site in 1979. Most of the courses offered are conducted in a mixture of correspondence (online) and intensive training (winter and summer schools) in short term courses by visiting lecturers. Many of USP's students are school leavers and public servants who are able to complete their degrees while remaining on Rarotonga without having to attend the main university in Suva, Fiji.

Opposite USP is the first public library and museum in the Cook Islands. Built in 1963 and funded mostly through fundraising on land donated by the then reigning chief, Makea Nui Teremoana Ariki, it was opened in 1964. The quiet parkland and garden is the only park on this part of the island so feel free to drop in anytime and use the park to find quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the town. The museum is open Mon-Sat 9am1pm. Tues 4-7pm) while the park is open every day, all day.

• a plethora of ancient gods, canoes, stone adzes, wooden spears; • Cook Islands and Pacific art; • textile crafts; • a multitude of pictures and photographs; • 40,000 books.

Check us out at http://cook-islands-library-museum.org Communicate with us at phone: 26468 email: tatau@oyster.net.ck or librarymuseum@cookislands.org.ck Hours: Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm; Tues, 4pm-7pm Located on Makea Tinirau Rd, opposite University of the South Pacific, Avarua Postal: PO Box 71, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Avarua Harbour

Ara Tapu

Beachcomber Gallery

Makea

Trader Jacks Bar & Grill

CICC Church

Rd

MCI preserving our nation’s heritage since 1964.

T inirau

At the end of the USP premises the road branches to the left and leads to the individual island hostels which houses the dance teams that come from the outer islands to Rarotonga once a year to celebrate Te Maeva Nui (the country's biggest celebrations to mark self-government in 1965). In the centre,

There’s a whole lot of history going on at Museum Cook Islands (MCI):

uatea Rd

On the left down the road is the CICC church of Avarua - a large structure built in 1853 from limestone and timber in the 'wattle and daub ' method imported from Britain, this being the third church in Avarua after the first two, which were flimsier in construction (timber only with limestone mortar) were destroyed by cyclones. In the church graveyard some of the founders of the modern Cook Islands are buried or remembered as well as some of the early European migrants and business people: Rev John Williams (martyred at Eromanga, Vanuatu) in 1839, who introduced Christianity along with Papehia, his student from Raiatea (French Polynesia); the 'mother of Christianity' in the Cook Islands, Tapairu a Makea; Rev JK Hutchin who served for 30 years and died in 1912 on a ship returning to New Zealand; and Sir Albert Henry, and Sir Thomas Davis who were the first and second Prime Ministers of the Cook Islands respectively. In the back of the churchyard are the graves of Ettie Rout (18771936) a controversial pioneer

of contraception in France for New Zealand troops during World War I and Charles Wells Banks (1839-1915), an embezzler of the Wells Fargo Bank in the United States, who fled, and was later pursued, to these shores by men from the famous Pinkerton Agency but he could not be lured aboard

ap Taput

You will see on your right the expansive grounds of Taputapuatea, the site of the koutu (royal court) and paepae (residence) of Makea Nui Ariki, the premier chiefly title in the district of Te Au o Tonga (Rarotonga is divided into three districts). In the back centre of the property is the Para o Tane palace, built in the 1840s, which was originally a single-storied structure. The palace was built of limestone (obtained from coral stones burned for days then slaked) and local timbers used for the framing. A cyclone in 1942 seriously damaged the building but it was restored to its former glory in 1992/93 by local people and students of Auckland University Architecture school, under the tutelage of Harry Turbott.

On this site many important historical events took place, including the hoisting of the British flag and the subsequent signing of the proclamation in 1888 making the Hervey Islands (now the southern islands of the Cook Islands) a British parotectorate. It is also the site of the signing of the New Zealand annexation document by the then New Zealand Governor-General,

Lord Ranfurly, on 11 June 1901.

settlement of Makea and his followers, from whom the first missionaries bought land to build the LMS headquarters.

Here, there is a theological college and the Mission House, which accommodated the chief LMS minister and his family who was also architect of the college, Rev Aaron Buzzacott, who spent much of his life in the Cook Islands. He served here from 1828 to 1857.

ti ns

Co

26

We are here

USP Cook Islands Centre

tu

tio

ve nA

National Auditorium

CoOK ISLANDS SuN

A I T U TA K I

Visit Aitutaki love a little paradise

Many will tell you that a vacation to the Cook Islands is incomplete without a visit to Aitutaki. Famous for its vast blue lagoon and palm-fringed beaches, Aitutaki is more peaceful and less crowded than Rarotonga.

Only a forty-minutes from Rarotonga, Aitutaki is a lovely little island paradise with lots to do…or nothing to do! The ‘lots’ include snorkeling, scuba diving, wind surfing, game and bone fishing, eating and drinking! The ‘nothing’ involves peace and quiet,

relaxation and rejunination.

Or, enjoy a hassle free combination of both!

the oldest church the Cook Islands, and some of the biggest banyan trees.

Aitutaki has a population of around 2000 and no dogs! The island was the first of the Cook Islands to embrace Christianity back in the early 1800s and it has

If you can’t stay a while in Aitutaki go for the day! Air Rarotonga’s Day Tour is a convenient option for those who are only in the Cooks for a week or so.

THE AITUTAKI DAY TOUR Air Rarotonga’s inclusive Aitutaki Day Tour operates Mondays to Saturdays departing at 8.00am, returning by 5.30 pm.

On arrival you are taken on a one-hour island tour by ‘le truck’. This is followed by the Vaka Cruise aboard the 21m vaka (catamaran), Titi-ai-Tonga, which offers comfortable seating and deck sun loungers.

There is time for snorkeling, swimming and beachcombing on the little islands in the lagoon, working up an appetite for a barbecue lunch cooked on board.

Included in the Aitutaki Day Tour price of NZ$493.00 (including VAT) per person: • Pick up/drop off from/to your accommodation on Rarotonga.

• Return flights from Rarotonga to Aitutaki.

• The Aitutaki Island Tour.

• The Vaka Lagoon Cruise with stops on islands in the lagoon.

• Snorkeling equipment and towels.

• BBQ lunch, tea, coffee and water.

Book with the Air Rarotonga Tour Desk at Rarotonga International Airport or call 22 888 seven days a week. Enquire by email at bookings@airraro.co.ck or visit www.airraro.com

Only 45 min ut

es to Aitutaki

taki lagoon

tu Bone Fi shing in Ai

with Air Raro

tonga

27

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Allen Mills

-

the marine engineer the fishing entrepreneur the restaurateur and now the father.

Aitutaki’s famous Boat Shed Bar and Grill overlooks Popoara Beach on the island’s eastern tip at the gateway to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Featuring an eclectic collection of engaging marine memorabilia and photographs from centuries past, the Boat Shed is a ‘top spot’ not to be missed!

O

wner Allen Mills is from a commercial fishing background, so understandably seafood is a specialty.

Born in Nelson New Zealand, Allen was brought up on a farm, but as a young man became a welder doing mainly marine work on boats, but that was just the beginning.

“I qualified as a senior engineer on the boats and went to sea as an engineer in the fishing industry in New

Zealand in the 1970s.

“If anything broke down I’d fixed it. Engines, refrigeration, even the ablutions!”

Moving to Skeggs Fisheries, Allen came ashore as marine superintendent.

“I’d being doing that for about a year when an opportunity came up with the Asian Development Bank to work in the Solomon Islands building, and training crew on, fishing boats. I left Skeggs on extended leave to do that.”

On completion of the project Allen returned to Skeggs, this time in management and contract roles, which took him to far off places including around the South Pacific, Japan, Korea and North America.

In the late 80s early 90s Allen became the head of a joint venture called Moana Pacific Fisheries: “Twelve months after formation we sold the Skeggs portion of the business to Maori interests and I retired off the Board in 1992.

“Since then I’ve been on my own – anything to do with fishing!

In1994 Allen created a joint venture fishing operation in the Cook Islands with a company called Cook Islands Sea Lords, a group of locals wanting to get into commercial fishing.

“We started with a 34metre boat brought from New Zealand operating out of Rarotonga. We got another boat and operated until 1996.

Allen Mills with his daughter Nikki ‘our pride and joy’

“Whilst in Australia I did a job in America, overlapping with own our boats. In 1998-99 I picked up a contract with the Asian Development Bank to design and build two boats for Tonga, which were built in the shipyards of Mobile, Alabama.

“Over the years, I have refitted and delivered a lot of boats around the world from Oman to South Australia, from Japan to Cape Town. Word of mouth helped grow the business.”

“I had always intended to have a bar to hang my marine junk”.

“Maria and I decided to move back to Aitutaki in 2000. We built a house and some units, then started the rentals business and built the restaurant and bar in 2006”.

The Boat Shed Bar & Grill opened in 2006

Early days working in Japan

But, the boats were expensive to run, maintenance facilities were next to nil, and freight was difficult so we moved the boats to Australia for swordfish”.

Allen and Maria saw the potential in albacore fishing in the northern Cooks

“I met my wife Maria in 1994 in Rarotonga. She’s from Aitutaki and owns the land that the Boat Shed, Popoara Ocean Breeze Villas and Popoara Rentals are on today.

Maria is the sister of one of the partners in Cook Islands Sea Lords. Maria came to Australia with us, and also to America with me”.

Allen said he called the restaurant the Boat Shed because he had collected so much marine memorabilia over the years he needed some walls to hang it on.

“I had always intended to have a bar to hang my marine junk”.

But Allen couldn’t stay away from the fishing industry!

“We inadvertently got back in, buying three large boats in 2001-2. We could see the potential in albacore fishing in the northern Cooks. We operated out of American Samoa where we chartered an additional three boats.

“Maria and I gradually sold our own boats, the last one

Our well-maintained and modern fleet includes • small 4 door hatchback cars • 8 seater MPV's • 15 seater vans • automatic scooters Phone: (682) 31379 Email: fishing@aitutaki.net.ck www.popoaraoceanbreeze.com

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in 2012.”

When asked why he didn’t base his boats in the Cook Islands he replied: “Can’t process in the Cooks. Need a huge amount of electricity, water and labour, and a bigger harbour. The Cook Islands still made money though as all our fish was exported from the Cook Islands”.

Allen and Maria no longer have anything to do with commercial fishing in the Cook Islands.

“The future of commercial fishing in the Cook Islands is good. It should be done like it was though, on charters and joint ventures involving the Cook Islands people. Not just selling the licenses for a few dollars to foreigners. We need the Cook Islands people to be hands on”.

Today Allen and Maria are contentedly involved with the Boat Shed Bar & Grill and Popoara Rentals: “The accommodation side of the business is secondary”.

Allen said the restraint on the growth of tourism in Aitutaki has been, and always will be, the cost: “It’s an expensive exercise to fly people here and to build here.

“The talk of international flights direct to Aitutaki is unrealistic.

The cost of airport service, security and so on, makes it unviable. Aitutaki should stay as it is. That is its charm!”

Allen and Maria now have daughter Nikki, who is just shy of her second birthday: “Her name is Maria Nikita Jesse Mills, and she is our pride and joy!”

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A I T U TA K I

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The Black & White Pearls of Aitutaki

Game fishing around Aitutaki is some of the most accessible in the South Pacific with plentiful Wahoo, Mahi Mahi and Yellow Fin Tuna; similarly, the lagoon in Aitutaki Lagoon is perhaps the most beautiful snorkelling lagoon in the world - it’s shallow, it’s crystal clear, it’s safe, and it’s dotted with dreamy little islands.

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local charter company with some of the highest ratings you can achieve on Trip Advisor has won the admiration of its guest by offering these activities individually and collectively. Black Pearl Charters run by Mike and Mere Tekotia operate two boats, the Black Pearl (game fishing) with Mike, and the White Pearl with Mere (lagoon tours).

Mike was born in New Zealand but his father is from Aitutaki: “He brought us here when I was twelve. He wanted us to return one day and build on the family land.”

Mike went on to spend twenty years in the Armoured Corp of the New Zealand Army, but on retirement at age 37 returned to Aitutaki for a holiday with his wife Mere, a New Zealander, and decided to make good on his father’s wish.

can put out five to six rods at anyone time using lures and on occasion live bait and soft plastics around the FADs. “We modify charters to suit clients, for example if they have children we’ll go closer to the reef using lighter gear and smaller lures, and we’ll catch reef species. We do whatever people want really!”

“Guests go crazy when we occasionally see humpback whales” Mere said many guests were also interested in snorkelling in the lagoon and visiting the

motu (little islands), which stretched the availability of the Black Pearl.

“I started assisting and snorkelling with Mike on the Black Pearl. We introduced the lagoon side of the business after Mike worked for the reality TV show Survivor,” said Mere.

In February 2006 the producers of Survivor arrived to organise the show starting that July. They rented over twenty boats for transporting production crews.

Whilst offering good money Mike was reluctant to rent Black Pearl to Survivor until they told him they were bringing a world-class outboard mechanic: If you come and work for us, at the

White Pearl drifts past One Foot Island

“We start at first light. Pick up is at 6.30am. We have breakfast on the boat with hot and cold drinks, bacon and eggs. Then we head out to sea two or three miles, returning around 11.30am.”

Mike said yellow fin tuna are on all year, and at different times mahi mahi and wahoo are also plentiful. Black Pearl

Guests just want to have fun catching fish

YES, we do it all. Let my husband

I take you out on one Aand great day out! of our Personalised Charters.

CK PEARL A L B CHARTERS 1.DEEP SEA FISHING - Fish the FADs and drop offs for Tuna, Wahoo and Mahi Mahi. Other fishing available, jigging, live baiting, bottom fishing and casting for GTs. Experience not required.

All Charters include, transfers, breakfast or lunch, hot and cold drinks, towels, snorkelling equipment, etc.

Certificate of Excellence

end of the three weeks filming we’ll have our mechanic strip your engine down and rebuild it: ‘Count me in’ was Mike’s response!”

“So we started the lagoon side of the business, which has got busier each year. By 2013, we split the fishing and snorkeling and bought the White Pearl for snorkelling in the 2014 season,” said Mere. “Leo Daniels is our other skipper.

Without him we couldn’t run both boats at the same time.

He skippers the White Pearl with me, and he skippers the Black Pearl when Mike is off the island.

“Sometimes guests will have a full day on the water with our ‘mix and match.’ In the morning they go fishing with Mike, then the afternoon snorkeling with me. Four

“My cousin Jason had the only charter fishing in Aitutaki at the time. We went out fishing every day. I knew then that was what I wanted to do!” Mike said he learned everything about game fishing from his cousin. “I bought the Black Pearl in 2006. It was already here and working”.

Mike soon discovered most guests just wanted to have fun and catching a fish was a bonus: “A lot are honeymooners wanting to do something they have never done before.

Mike, Leo and Mere at Arutanga Harbour, Aitutaki

2. PRIVATE LAGOON / SNORKELLING TOURS - Enjoy a day exploring our lagoon without the crowds. More snorkeling than any other operator, including the outer reef. Visit as many islands as time allows and enjoy a BBQ on One Foot Island. Timings are flexible and families welcome. Half days also available.

3. SPEARFISHING - Spearfish your own lunch or dinner, experience not required.

Phone Give us a call for details.

31125 home

www.blackpearlaitutaki.com

52 125 mobile Email: tekotia@aitutaki.net.ck

hours fishing and four hours snorkeling, including lunch.

“Our snorkeling is guided so I’m with them in the water.

On the full day charter (six hours), we do four snorkels and four islands including a BBQ lunch on One Foot Island.

Mostly though, I do half-day snorkelling charters morning or afternoon”.

One of the more celebrated guests on White Pearl has been Paul Henry, the New Zealand radio and television broadcaster, who snorkeled all day on the lagoon with his partner.

Black Pearl is still the game fishing specialty boat, which proudly declares that all billfish caught are released, including marlin and sailfish, but other fish are kept and eaten. No wastage!

“At the wharf I whip the fillets off and pack them for the guests. What they don’t want or can’t eat, I sell to the restaurants,” said Mike.

A bonus for guests out game fishing on the Black Pearl is sighting migrating whales.

“They go crazy when we occasionally see humpback whales. We never go closer than a hundred metres, but sometimes they’ll come to the boat and under it! Depending on circumstances, we’ll go in the water with them. We throw the ropes over and get the goggles on, but guests don’t leave the side of the boat,” said Mike.

“One time a pod of humpbacks followed us for miles back to the main entrance of the harbour. People don’t care about fishing after that!”

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A I T U TA K I D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

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Eating&Drinking I N A I T U TA K I

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1 Tupuna's Restaurant 2 Boat Shed Restaurant & Bar 3 Koru Cafe 3

4 Tamanu Beach

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5 Aitutaki Lagoon Resort 6 Blue Lagoon Restaurant & Bar 6

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Ph. [682] 31 810 Fax. [682] 31 816 reservations@tamanubeach.com A I T U TA K I • C O O K I S L A N D S www.tamanubeach.com

AITUTAKI’S BEST DINING! 1

Fully Credit cards accepted Openlicensed.

Mon-Sat for Lunch only Enjoy a la-carte fine dining Mon-Sat from 6pm Major credit cards accepted Bookings essential

Aitutaki’s best location, best views, best food, best authentic atmosphere!

5-Star Adults-only Resort (aged16+) | The ONLY resort set directly on expansive Aitutaki Lagoon!

CASUAL DINERS WELCOME | SEAFOOD PLATTERS | SUNSET COCKTAILS | PRIVATE BEACH DINING FLYING BOAT BEACH BAR & GRILL | BOUNTY BRASSERIE | ALL-DAY DINING + EVENING ENTERTAINMENT MON_Fire Dance Show @ Bounty Brasserie+Crab Races WED+FRI_Live w/Greig Mose @ Flying Boat Beach Grill FRI_NiteLife FunBus Tour $35pp

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Tel. 31678 678 Ph. 31

Email us: tupunasrestaurant@aitutaki.net.ck

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Akitua Private Island | Aitutaki Lagoon | COOK ISLANDS info@aitutakilagoonresort.com | AitutakiLagoonResort.com

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AT I U

The Atiu experience, not to be missed!

Jackey Tanga was born on Atiu but spent many years in New Zealand and Australia before coming home in 2011. Since returning, Jackey has worked at Atiu Villas for the owners Roger and Kura Malcolm. considers herself Jackey as a ‘ jackey-of-all-

trades’ as her work covers just about every aspect of running the property from picking up guests from the airport, to tending to the extensive gardens, organising guest meals, working in the office and organising day tours.

“It’s not just me, there are other staff who do what I do.

Everyone specialises in one thing, but we all get involved with other things!” said Jackey.

“I like the fact that Atiu is a small community. It’s about how everyone knows one another. The relaxed attitude of the people can really make your day and that’s why I love it. We have beautiful beaches and scenery, but the people, including the tour guides, make the Atiu experience worthwhile.

We asked Jackey about the Atiu experience.

What is the appeal of Atiu for visitors?

Many visitors say: ‘we wish we stayed here longer’. There is more here than visitors expect like tours to the picturesque caves where the amazing kopeka bird lives, and there’s our famous Birdman George and his eco tour where you learn about Atiu’s forest and its inhabitants. But, I believe it’s actually the relaxed atmosphere and the laid back feeling of being on a holiday on a quiet tropical island. Atiu forces you to slow down and unwind.

Catch your own food if you like! Going on tours with the pig hunter Toru, or fishing on the lagoon with Andrew, or maybe deep-sea fishing with Sole. They are all tours, but it’s a good experience to see how the locals do it!

Tell us about the new Tumunu Tour?

Jackey Tanga transferring guests from the airport to Atiu Villas

The guide, Peckham Mokoroa has recently come back to live on Atiu. The Tumunu is a 200-year old tradition based on how the whalers first taught my people to ferment oranges and brew beer. Along came the London Missionary Society in the 1800s who banned drinking. If you were caught, you got fined or even thrown into jail. So the locals took it into the bush because the white man didn’t know his way around there. The Tumunu Tour is about getting visitors to taste our local bush beer and getting to meet the local people.

It’s a great place to socialise!

Tell us about the famous Birdman George

What accommodation and food can visitors expect?

There are four accommodation facilities available: Atiu Villas, Atiu Bed and Breakfast, Taparere Lodge and Kopeka Lodge. All are very different and varying in price. I believe Atiu Villas has the best on offer (a little biased maybe!), but it offers the essentials. In each villa there are supplies in the cupboards, fridge and freezer so guests can have breakfast or lunch at leisure.

Restaurant wise, there is our famous Kura’s Kitchen.

The nightly set dinner menu ranges from chicken to fish, to lamb shanks. If visitors want

something else, they can try Super Brown Burgers, the only takeaway store on Atiu.

Birdman George’s eco tours are a highlight of any visit to Atiu

The Anatakitaki Cave Tour

Birdman George introduces visitors to Atiu’s unique forests

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and its occupants. They get to learn about the plants, flowers and trees - native and imported. They hear about our traditional medicines. And, especially, they learn about our birds and bird programs, and seeing the birds close up including the Kakerori (Rarotonga Fly Catcher) and the Kura (Rimatara Lorikeet).

Thanks to the eradication of the Mynah birds we now have more fruits uneaten or unspoiled, and more fauna life.

Birdman George’s tour ends on one of our beautiful beaches with a lovely picnic.

What other activities can visitors experience in a few days in Atiu.

Depending on the season, it is always good to rent a scooter or bicycle and explore yourselves: check out our lake, the Coral Garden, the sinkholes and the three grottos. The Anatakitaki Cave Tour and the Rima Rau Burial Cave Tour are run by tour guide Marshall (originally from England). On these tours you’ll get to know about the fauna and flora and our people’s history through a different set of eyes.

Visit www.atiu.info

Secluded Tangaroro Beach is quite beautiful

Staying a while on Atiu

Because of its limited accommodation capacity and flight schedules, Atiu receives less than fifty visitors each week, making a stay in Atiu quite special.

There are a few accommodation outlets on the island, but the most comfortable place to stay if you appreciate an onsite swimming pool, restaurant and tropical gardens, is Atiu Villas.

Their six comfortable villas feature a mini-bar and larder. There is also a floodlit grass tennis court, vehicles for rent and free WIFI. Atiu Island is one of four islands in the Cooks best geared up for tourists, the others being Aitutaki, Mangaia and Rarotonga. Atiu is a forty-five minute flight from both Aitutaki and Rarotonga.

Contact Jetsave Travel (Tel. +682 27707 or www.jetsave.co.ck) in Avarua, or Air Rarotonga (Tel. +682 22888 or www.airraro.com) at Rarotonga International Airport about travel packages to Atiu.

Cook Islands specialists for inter-island packages, local tours and activities Foreign Exchange and Money Transfers A one-stop shop with personalised service

INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC AIRFARES & ACCOMMODATION Located Main Road, Avarua | jetsave@cooks.co.ck www.jetsave.co.ck | CALL 27 707

Your hosts Roger and Kura will make your stay an exciting adventure Phone: (682) 33 777 | Email: roger@atiuvillas.com On-line bookings at www.atiuvillas.com - Free email & internet For more information on Atiu Island visit www.atiu.info

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CoOK ISLANDS SuN

C o mm u nit y

COOK ISLANDS SUN SUPPORTERS

Rarotonga school fundraiser

goes global

Fundraising for The Future

Apii Te Uki Ou is a small independent privately funded primary school on the island of Rarotonga, in the village of Ngatangiia. It is a thriving community of over 180 students, 50% being Cook Islanders, 20% New Zealanders, and 30% an international mix of Australian, Irish, French, Tongan, Filipino, Samoan, Japanese, NZ Maori, English, Spanish, South African, Chinese, American and Russian.

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or the third year, Apii (‘school’ to the locals) Te Uki Ou has gone global with its online ‘Win a Trip to Raro’ school fundraiser. People anywhere in the world can win a trip to the Cook Islands worth $12,000, just

by donating $10 to Te Uki Ou via their website, Facebook or givealittle.co.nz.

Visitors on Rarotonga can donate locally including at the school and at the Muri Night Market.

Students from Apii Te Uki Ou recently attended a cultural day at Highland Paradise

Chauncey Flay, parent and head of the fundraising team said the fundraiser prize includes a return flight credit of $1500, four nights at Sea Change Villas, car hire, many island and adventure activities, plus restaurant experiences. All inclusions and sponsors are detailed on the school’s website www. teukiou.edu.ck, givealittle. co.nz/cause/2016apiiteukiou, or facebook.com/ ApiiTeUkiOuWinatriptoRaro “The icing on the cake is a three-night luxury Aitutaki getaway courtesy of Air Rarotonga and Pacific Resort Aitutaki,” said Chauncey.

Apii Te Uki Ou fundraising for the future

“Te Uki Ou has been able to put this amazing online fundraiser together thanks to the support of so many local businesses and also Cook Islands Tourism who are helping to promote it.

‘We fundraise for the school to take pressure off the local community and to reach out to visitors and people offshore who would love to visit the Cook Islands, or maybe they would just like to support our school.”

Chauncey said the school hoped the fundraiser would also help promote the Cook Islands and provide someone

with a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.

Tickets can also be bought from the school during the day or from the Te Uki Ou ‘Rent-a-Plate’ stall at the Muri Night Market on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Rent a Plate at Muri Night Market reduces Styrofoam and contributes to school fundraising

“We rent out plates and cutlery at the Muri Night Market for a donation to the school, which also reduces the amount of Styrofoam being used.

There is a team of school kids and parents who volunteer to look after the stand and wash the dishes for reuse. It’s a win-win for everyone and visitors appreciate the idea of reducing island waste and the environmental benefits,” said Chauncey.

“Please donate $10 or more to be a part of our 2016 fundraiser”.

How to enter

Simply donate $10 or more online (credit card), or at the school, or at the Muri Night Market. Each $10 donation counts as one entry, so the more you donate the better your chances to win!

Adventure Cook Islands Air Rarotonga Scenic Flight Aitutaki Day Tour Air Rarotonga Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa Alberto’s Restaurant Anchorage Restaurant & Bar Ariki Adventure Atiu Villas & Kura’s Kitchen Avaiki Cook Islands Pearls AVIS Boat Shed Restaurant & Bar Bishops Cruises Black Pearl Charters Blossom Fashion Blue Lagoon Restaurant & Bar Café Jireh Café Salsa Captain Andy’s Beach Bar & Grill Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes Coco Putt Bistro & Bar Coconut Tours Cook Islands Fudge Factory Good Life Perfumes of Rarotonga Id.CK Island Car & Bike Hire CIPS Computer Man Dive Aitutaki Dive Centre Edgewater Resort & Spa Factory Outlet Farm Direct Pearls FEXCO Money Exchange Flambé Restaurant Goldmine Highland Paradise Cultural Centre Islander Hotel Jaycar Jetsave Travel Kikau Hut Restaurant KiteSup Watersports Center Koka Lagoon Cruises Koru Café La Casita Café Le Rendez-Vous Café & Bistro Little Polynesian Café Matutu Brewery Moana Gems & Art Gallery Muri Beach Club Hotel Museums Cook Islands Oceans Restaurant & Bar On the Beach Restaurant & Bar Pa’s Treks Polynesian Rentals Popoara Rentals Raro Buggy Tours Raro Reef Sub Eco Tours Rarotonga Rentals Rickshaw Café Rarotonga Rito Cook Islands Rinos Bungalows & Rentals Rumours Waterfall Spa Sails Restaurant & iSOBAR Saltwater Café Sanctuary on the Beach Seafari Fishing Charters Shipwreck Hut Beach Bar Silver Sands Restaurant & Bar Spaghetti House Pizzeria & Grill Tamanu Beach Tamarind House T&S ArtworX Te Tika Bioactive Cook Islands Oils Te Vara Nui The Café The Spa Tik-etours Tivaevae Collectables Tokerau Jim Treasure Chest Tumunu Restaurant & Bar Tupuna’s Restaurant Waterline Restaurant & Beach Bar Whale & Wildlife Centre Wilson’s Beach Bar Win a trip to Raro Yellow Hibiscus Restaurant & Bar Vaima on the Beach Restaurant

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Road side assistance and scooter skills testing available 7 days a week

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