Aitutaki
Encyclopedia
Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura, Ararau and Utataki, is one of the Cook Islands
, north of Rarotonga
. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital (main village) is Arutanga
(Arutunga) on the west side.
". It has a maximum elevation of approximately 123 metres with the hill known as Maunga Pu close to its northernmost point. The land area of the atoll is 18.05 km², of which the main island occupies 16.8 km². The Ootu Peninsula
, protruding east from the main island in a southerly direction along the eastern rim of the reef, takes up 1.75 km² out of these 16.8 km² for the main island. For the lagoon
, area figures between 50 and 74 km² are found. Satellite image measurement suggests that the larger figure also includes the reef flat, which is commonly not considered part of a lagoon.
The barrier reef that forms the basis of Aitutaki is roughly the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides 12 kilometres in length. The southern edge of the triangle is almost totally below the surface of the ocean, and the eastern side is composed of a string of small islands (including Mangere, Akaiami, and Tekopua).
The western side of the atoll contains many of Aitutaki's important features including a boat passage through the barrier reef allowing for anchorage close to shore at Arutanga. Towards the south of the side is a small break in the barrier reef, allowing access for small boats to the lagoon which covers most of the southern part of the triangle. Further to the north is the bulk of the main island. Its fertile volcanic soil provide tropical fruits and vegetables. Two of Aitutaki's 15 islets (motu
s) are also volcanic. The rest are made of coral.
Aitutaki Airport
is located close to the triangle's northern point. There is an area suitable to land flying boat
s in the southeastern part of the lagoon
.
Aitutaki is subdivided in 8 districts. The districts are further subdivided into 19 tapere
(land holdings by tribe lineages).
The eight villages are:
The eight districts are subdivided into 19 tapere as follows:
probably first settled Aitutaki around AD 900. The first known European contact was with Captain Bligh
and the crew of the HMS Bounty
when they discovered Aitutaki on April 11, 1789, prior to the infamous mutiny
.
Aitutaki was the first of the Cook Islands to accept Christianity
, after London Missionary Society
(LMS) missionary John Williams
visited in 1821. The oldest church in the country, the Cook Islands Christian Church
in Arutanga, was built by Papeiha (Bora Bora
) and Vahapata (Raiatea
), two LMS teachers Williams had left behind.
In 1942 New Zealand and American forces were stationed on the island, building the two-way airstrip that can be seen today. This airport, and one on the northernmost Penrhyn Island, were to be used as bases by the Allies during World War II
. The first aircraft, an American light bomber, landed on November 22, 1942. When the war ended some of the servicemen remained and married the locals.
During the 1950s Aitutaki's lagoon was used as a stopover for TEAL
(Tasman Empire Airways Limited) flying boats on the famous Coral Route. The islet of Akaiami was used as a resting stop for passengers, who often lay about until the aircraft was refuelled for two hours. These operations ceased in 1960, and the only reminder are the remains of the purpose-built jetty on Akaiami. The flying boat 'Aranui', which was part of this service, is now on display at the Museum of Transport and Technology
in Auckland
, New Zealand.
Two of Aitutaki's motus (small islands), Rapota and Moturakau, were the locations of the first series of the UK reality television program Shipwrecked
in 2000.
More recently, in 2001, Steve Fossett
passed over just south of Aitutaki in the balloon Solo Spirit during his round-the-world trip.
In 2006, the island was used as the location for the tribal council in the US TV program Survivor: Cook Islands
. Surrounding islands were used for tribal camps and crew locations. One of the tribes was named Aitutaki (or 'Aitu') after the island.
Then, not long afterwards, Shipwrecked returned again, with Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands 2006
. This was filmed on the same islands as before. One year later, Aitutaki was the locale of an episode of Survivorman
.
On February 10–11, 2010, Aitutaki was hit by Cyclone Pat. The high winds of the storm ripped the roofs off of most houses and damaged other buildings including a school and a hospital. At least 60% of houses were damaged. There were no reported deaths but a few minor injuries were reported. An Air Force Hercules
cargo plane and an army engineering team were provided by New Zealand along with an initial $200,000. Cook Island MP Teina Bishop
said "New Zealand aid should have been sent to the devastated area much sooner.".
In June 2010 the island was nominated "the world's most beautiful island" by Tony Wheeler the founder of Lonely Planet
travel guide.
Aitutaki is famous for its turquoise central lagoon
, uninhabited islands and palm-fringed beaches. Another advantage is that until now it has been spared by mass tourism. Noteworthy also are an old church (the oldest in the Cook Islands) and some gigantic Banyan
trees (Ficus prolixa).
Tapuaetai
(One Foot Island), a small islet in the south-east of the lagoon, is often said to be the most important attraction. It is regarded as providing the visitor with the best views of the Aitutaki lagoon and depending on the tide one is able to walk on a sandbank a decent distance away from Tapuaetai (One Foot Island). The trip to this island is the most frequented trip available on Aitutaki and is bookable in most hotels. One Foot Island was awarded "Australasia's Leading Beach" at the World Travel Awards held in Sydney in June 2008.
Air Rarotonga
offers daily flights and a day tour from Rarotonga
.
A number of new resorts and hotels are currently being planned and built.
.
. All islands, including the main island and its peninsula Ootu
, are listed starting clockwise from the northernmost point of the atoll:
Ootu Peninsula is of coral formation, but attached to the main volcanic island, thus a peninsula. If it were an island, it would be the largest of the minor islands. Ootu Peninsula does belong to tapere
and district of Vaitupa. The minor islands are not allocated to any districts or tapere, but they do form part of the larger constituencies.
All minor islets, except Akitua and Maina, are part of Vaipae-Tautu Constituency. Akitua is part of Amuri-Ureia Constituency, as is Ootu Peninsula, just north of Akitua. Maina is part of Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara Constituency. The main island is equally divided among the three constituencies Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara (southwest), Vaipae-Tautu (southeast), and Amuri-Ureia (north).
is the only secondary school on Aitutaki. The school has the role of teaching approximately 200 students.
The island has two public schools: Vaitau Primary and Araura Primary School. There is also a private special character school which is the designated Seventh Day Adventist
(SDA) school. Araura Primary is the larger of the primary schools and caters for 150 students. Vaitau has 70 students which is a similar number to the SDA school.
All schools following the Cook Island Curriculum which is very similar to the old version of the New Zealand Curriculum framework.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
, north of Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital (main village) is Arutanga
Arutanga
Arutanga is the main town of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.The main wharf is located here, and there is access into the lagoon. The largest supermarket is also located in Arutanga....
(Arutunga) on the west side.
Geography
Aitutaki is an "almost atollAtoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
". It has a maximum elevation of approximately 123 metres with the hill known as Maunga Pu close to its northernmost point. The land area of the atoll is 18.05 km², of which the main island occupies 16.8 km². The Ootu Peninsula
Ootu Peninsula
The Ootu Peninsula, though connected to the main island of Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands, may in many respects be considered as one of the reef islands, being the largest and longest of them...
, protruding east from the main island in a southerly direction along the eastern rim of the reef, takes up 1.75 km² out of these 16.8 km² for the main island. For the lagoon
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
, area figures between 50 and 74 km² are found. Satellite image measurement suggests that the larger figure also includes the reef flat, which is commonly not considered part of a lagoon.
The barrier reef that forms the basis of Aitutaki is roughly the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides 12 kilometres in length. The southern edge of the triangle is almost totally below the surface of the ocean, and the eastern side is composed of a string of small islands (including Mangere, Akaiami, and Tekopua).
The western side of the atoll contains many of Aitutaki's important features including a boat passage through the barrier reef allowing for anchorage close to shore at Arutanga. Towards the south of the side is a small break in the barrier reef, allowing access for small boats to the lagoon which covers most of the southern part of the triangle. Further to the north is the bulk of the main island. Its fertile volcanic soil provide tropical fruits and vegetables. Two of Aitutaki's 15 islets (motu
Motu
Motu may refer to:*Motu language, a language of Papua New Guinea*Motu proprio, a type of Papal document*MOTU, also known as "Mark of the Unicorn", a maker of professional audio hardware and software...
s) are also volcanic. The rest are made of coral.
Aitutaki Airport
Aitutaki Airport
Aitutaki Airport is an airport on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands . The airport was originally constructed by the United States and New Zealand militaries during World War II. The runway recently underwent a $3.8 million upgrade.The "terminal" building at Aitutaki Airport is basically a roof with no...
is located close to the triangle's northern point. There is an area suitable to land flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
s in the southeastern part of the lagoon
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
.
Subdivisions
Aitutaki is subdivided in 8 districts. The districts are further subdivided into 19 tapere
Tapere
A tapere or sub-district is a low level of traditional land subdivision on five of the Lower Cook Islands , comparable to the ahupua'a of the main Hawaiian Islands. Among the populated raised islands, only Mitiaro is not subdivided into tapere...
(land holdings by tribe lineages).
The eight villages are:
- Amuri (Te Upoko Enua)
- Ureia (Uriuri A Punga)
- Arutanga (Rutanga O Te Toa)
- Reureu (Te Mata O Teerui)
- Nikaupara (Te Maru O Toi)
- Vaipae (Te Vaipaepae O Pau)
- Tautu (Titi Ai Tonga)
- Vaipeka (Te Arekarioi)
The eight districts are subdivided into 19 tapere as follows:
- Amuri District
- Amuri Tapere
- Punganui Tapere
- Anaunga District
- Anaunga Tapere
- Punoa Tapere
- Arutanga District
- Arutanga Tapere
- Reureu Tapere
- Nukunoni Tapere
- Ureia Tapere
- Avanui District
- Avanui Tapere
- Vaipeka Tapere
- Taravao District
- Taravao Tapere
- Vaiau Tapere
- Vaiorea Tapere
- Tautu District
- Mataotane Tapere
- Tautu Tapere
- Vaipae District
- Oako Tapere
- Vaipae Tapere
- Vaitupa District
- Taakarere Tapere
- Vaitupa Tapere
History
PolynesiansPolynesians
The Polynesian peoples is a grouping of various ethnic groups that speak Polynesian languages, a branch of the Oceanic languages within the Austronesian languages, and inhabit Polynesia. They number approximately 1,500,000 people...
probably first settled Aitutaki around AD 900. The first known European contact was with Captain Bligh
William Bligh
Vice Admiral William Bligh FRS RN was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. A notorious mutiny occurred during his command of HMAV Bounty in 1789; Bligh and his loyal men made a remarkable voyage to Timor, after being set adrift in the Bounty's launch by the mutineers...
and the crew of the HMS Bounty
HMS Bounty
HMS Bounty , famous as the scene of the Mutiny on the Bounty on 28 April 1789, was originally a three-masted cargo ship, the Bethia, purchased by the British Admiralty, then modified and commissioned as His Majesty's Armed Vessel the...
when they discovered Aitutaki on April 11, 1789, prior to the infamous mutiny
Mutiny on the Bounty
The mutiny on the Bounty was a mutiny that occurred aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on 28 April 1789, and has been commemorated by several books, films, and popular songs, many of which take considerable liberties with the facts. The mutiny was led by Fletcher Christian against the...
.
Aitutaki was the first of the Cook Islands to accept Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, after London Missionary Society
London Missionary Society
The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa...
(LMS) missionary John Williams
John Williams (missionary)
John Williams was an English missionary, active in the South Pacific. Born near London, England, he was trained as a foundry worker and mechanic...
visited in 1821. The oldest church in the country, the Cook Islands Christian Church
Cook Islands Christian Church
The Cook Islands Christian Church is the largest religious denomination in the Cook Islands. The CICC is a Christian Congregationalist church and has approximately 18,000 members, including 56% of the residents of the Cook Islands...
in Arutanga, was built by Papeiha (Bora Bora
Bora Bora
The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef, 29.3 km² in total, and of the atoll of Tupai , located north of Bora Bora...
) and Vahapata (Raiatea
Raiatea
Raiatea , is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, in French Polynesia. The island is widely regarded as the 'center' of the eastern islands in ancient Polynesia and it is likely that the organised migrations to Hawaii, Aotearoa and other parts of East Polynesia started at...
), two LMS teachers Williams had left behind.
In 1942 New Zealand and American forces were stationed on the island, building the two-way airstrip that can be seen today. This airport, and one on the northernmost Penrhyn Island, were to be used as bases by the Allies during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The first aircraft, an American light bomber, landed on November 22, 1942. When the war ended some of the servicemen remained and married the locals.
During the 1950s Aitutaki's lagoon was used as a stopover for TEAL
TEAL
Tasman Empire Airways Limited was the forerunner of Air New Zealand. It was first registered in Wellington as a limited liability company on 26 April 1940....
(Tasman Empire Airways Limited) flying boats on the famous Coral Route. The islet of Akaiami was used as a resting stop for passengers, who often lay about until the aircraft was refuelled for two hours. These operations ceased in 1960, and the only reminder are the remains of the purpose-built jetty on Akaiami. The flying boat 'Aranui', which was part of this service, is now on display at the Museum of Transport and Technology
Museum of Transport and Technology
The Museum of Transport and Technology is a museum located in Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand. It is located close to the Western Springs Stadium, Auckland Zoo and the Western Springs Park. The museum has large collections of civilian and military aircraft and other land transport vehicles...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand.
Two of Aitutaki's motus (small islands), Rapota and Moturakau, were the locations of the first series of the UK reality television program Shipwrecked
Shipwrecked (TV series)
Shipwrecked is a British reality television programme airing on Channel 4's youth programming brand, T4. The original version ran for 3 series from 9 January 2000 to 20 December 2001 and was constructed as a social experiment, without a competitive format or a prize.The programme returned for 4...
in 2000.
More recently, in 2001, Steve Fossett
Steve Fossett
James Stephen Fossett was an American commodities trader, businessman, and adventurer. Fossett is the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in a balloon...
passed over just south of Aitutaki in the balloon Solo Spirit during his round-the-world trip.
In 2006, the island was used as the location for the tribal council in the US TV program Survivor: Cook Islands
Survivor: Cook Islands
Survivor: Cook Islands is the thirteenth season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor, having premiered on September 14, 2006...
. Surrounding islands were used for tribal camps and crew locations. One of the tribes was named Aitutaki (or 'Aitu') after the island.
Then, not long afterwards, Shipwrecked returned again, with Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands 2006
Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands 2006
Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands 2006 is a British reality series that premiered on Channel 4 in 2006. It is the fourth series of the RDF Media programme, Shipwrecked, and featured a radically different format from the first three series, in that contestants were divided into tribes, with...
. This was filmed on the same islands as before. One year later, Aitutaki was the locale of an episode of Survivorman
Survivorman
Survivorman is a Canadian-produced television program, broadcast in Canada on the Outdoor Life Network , and internationally on Discovery Channel and Science Channel...
.
On February 10–11, 2010, Aitutaki was hit by Cyclone Pat. The high winds of the storm ripped the roofs off of most houses and damaged other buildings including a school and a hospital. At least 60% of houses were damaged. There were no reported deaths but a few minor injuries were reported. An Air Force Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
cargo plane and an army engineering team were provided by New Zealand along with an initial $200,000. Cook Island MP Teina Bishop
Teina Bishop
Teina Bishop is a Cook Islands politician and Cabinet Minister. He represents the constituency of Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu....
said "New Zealand aid should have been sent to the devastated area much sooner.".
In June 2010 the island was nominated "the world's most beautiful island" by Tony Wheeler the founder of Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book and digital media publisher in the world. The company is owned by BBC Worldwide, which bought a 75% share from the founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler in 2007 and the final 25% in February 2011...
travel guide.
Places of interest
Lagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
, uninhabited islands and palm-fringed beaches. Another advantage is that until now it has been spared by mass tourism. Noteworthy also are an old church (the oldest in the Cook Islands) and some gigantic Banyan
Banyan
A banyan is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte when its seeds germinate in the cracks and crevices on a host tree...
trees (Ficus prolixa).
Tapuaetai
Tapuaetai
Tapuaetai or One Foot Island is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the southeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon immediately to the southwest of the larger island of Tekopua, seven kilometres to the east of the main island of...
(One Foot Island), a small islet in the south-east of the lagoon, is often said to be the most important attraction. It is regarded as providing the visitor with the best views of the Aitutaki lagoon and depending on the tide one is able to walk on a sandbank a decent distance away from Tapuaetai (One Foot Island). The trip to this island is the most frequented trip available on Aitutaki and is bookable in most hotels. One Foot Island was awarded "Australasia's Leading Beach" at the World Travel Awards held in Sydney in June 2008.
Air Rarotonga
Air Rarotonga
Air Rarotonga is an airline based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands and is ‘the airline of the Cook Islands’. It operates inter-island scheduled services throughout the Cook Islands. It also operates chartered flights to French Polynesia, Niue, Samoa and Tonga...
offers daily flights and a day tour from Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
.
Economy
Tourism is the mainstay of Aitutaki though visitor numbers are still relatively low as there are no direct international flights. Tourists are catered for by a range of motels and resorts ranging from budget to luxury.A number of new resorts and hotels are currently being planned and built.
Sports
The most popular sport on Aitutaki is rugby which is very popular on the island as it is in much of the Pacific. With a population of only 2,000, there are 4 clubs on Aitutaki and 8 teams (each club having a first team and a reserve team). The best players on the island play for the Aitutaki island team against their main rivals RarotongaRarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
.
Minor islands of Aitutaki
The main island of Aitutaki occupies the northern part of the atoll, which is roughly triangular in shape. The minor islands form part of the perimeter of the lagoonLagoon
A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,...
. All islands, including the main island and its peninsula Ootu
Ootu Peninsula
The Ootu Peninsula, though connected to the main island of Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands, may in many respects be considered as one of the reef islands, being the largest and longest of them...
, are listed starting clockwise from the northernmost point of the atoll:
| Island | Type | Area (ha Hectare The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2... ) | Location Geographic coordinate system A geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system that enables every location on the Earth to be specified by a set of numbers. The coordinates are often chosen such that one of the numbers represent vertical position, and two or three of the numbers represent horizontal position... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aitutaki | volcanic main island Volcano 2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15... |
16800 | 18°51′32"S 159°47′01"W |
| Ootu Ootu Peninsula The Ootu Peninsula, though connected to the main island of Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands, may in many respects be considered as one of the reef islands, being the largest and longest of them... |
motu Motu Motu may refer to:*Motu language, a language of Papua New Guinea*Motu proprio, a type of Papal document*MOTU, also known as "Mark of the Unicorn", a maker of professional audio hardware and software... peninsula Peninsula A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands".... |
175 | |
| Akitua Akitua Akitua is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is a tiny islet on the northeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon. It is apparently owned by the Aitutaki Lagoon resort & Spa , a 5 star hotel equipped with luxury bungalows, restaurant and bar... |
motu | 14.86 | 18°51′00"S 159°45′25"W |
| Angarei Angarei Angarei is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the northeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon to the north of the larger island of Ee, three kilometres to the east of the main island of Aitutaki.-References:... |
motu | 13.07 | 18°51′25"S 159°45′12"W |
| Ee Ee (island) Ee is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon between the smaller islands of Angarei and Mangere, three kilometres to the east of the main island of Aitutaki.... (Niura) |
motu | 29.21 | |
| Mangere Mangere (Cook Islands) Mangere is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the northeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon to the south of the larger island of Ee, three kilometres to the east of the main island of Aitutaki.-References:... |
motu | 8.54 | |
| Papau Papau Papau is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon, four kilometres to the east of the main island of Aitutaki.-References:... |
motu | 5.26 | |
| Tavaerua Iti Tavaeruaiti Tavaeruaiti is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon to the north of the larger island of Tavaerua , four kilometres to the east of the main island of Aitutaki.-References:*Wheeler, T. & Keller, N... |
motu | 4.12 | |
| Tavaerua Tavaerua Tavaerua is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon to the south of the smaller island of Tavaeruaiti, four kilometres to the east of the main island of Aitutaki.-References:... |
motu | 12.47 | |
| Akaiami Akaiami Akaiami is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon to the north of the smaller islands of Muritapua, five kilometres to the southeast of the main island of Aitutaki.-References:... |
motu | 41.91 | |
| Muritapua Muritapua Muritapua is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is a small islet located on the eastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon between the larger islands of Akaiami and Tekopua, six kilometres to the southeast of the main island of Aitutaki.... |
motu | 4.04 | |
| Tekopua Tekopua Tekopua is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the southeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon between the smaller islands of Muritapua and Tapuaetai, seven kilometres to the southeast of the main island of Aitutaki.... |
motu | 71.29 | |
| Tapuaetai Tapuaetai Tapuaetai or One Foot Island is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located on the southeastern perimeter of Aitutaki Lagoon immediately to the southwest of the larger island of Tekopua, seven kilometres to the east of the main island of... (One Foot Island) |
motu | 5.96 | |
| Tapuaeta cay | sand cay Cay A cay , also spelled caye or key, is a small, low-elevation, sandy island formed on the surface of coral reefs. Cays occur in tropical environments throughout the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans , where they provide habitable and agricultural land for hundreds of thousands of people... |
0.95 | |
| Motukitiu Motukitiu Motukitiu is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is a small island located at the southeastern tip of Aitutaki Lagoon, one kilometre to the south of the larger island of Tekopua and eight kilometres to the southeast of the main island of Aitutaki.This motu has been... |
motu | 11.47 | |
| Moturakau Moturakau Moturakau is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located in the southeast of Aitutaki Lagoon between the larger islands of Rapota and Tekopua, six kilometres to the southeast of the main island of Aitutaki.... |
volcanic Volcano 2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15... |
3.86 | |
| Rapota Rapota Rapota is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located in the south of Aitutaki Lagoon to the west of the smaller island of Moturakau, six kilometres to the southeast of the main island of Aitutaki.... |
volcanic Volcano 2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15... |
3.1 | |
| Maina Maina (Cook Islands) Maina is one of 22 islands in the Aitutaki atoll of the Cook Islands. It is located at the southwestern extreme of Aitutaki Lagoon, five kilometres to the southwest of the main island of Aitutaki... |
sand cay Cay A cay , also spelled caye or key, is a small, low-elevation, sandy island formed on the surface of coral reefs. Cays occur in tropical environments throughout the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans , where they provide habitable and agricultural land for hundreds of thousands of people... |
16.96 | |
| Aitutaki Atoll | near-atoll | 18050 |
Ootu Peninsula is of coral formation, but attached to the main volcanic island, thus a peninsula. If it were an island, it would be the largest of the minor islands. Ootu Peninsula does belong to tapere
Tapere
A tapere or sub-district is a low level of traditional land subdivision on five of the Lower Cook Islands , comparable to the ahupua'a of the main Hawaiian Islands. Among the populated raised islands, only Mitiaro is not subdivided into tapere...
and district of Vaitupa. The minor islands are not allocated to any districts or tapere, but they do form part of the larger constituencies.
All minor islets, except Akitua and Maina, are part of Vaipae-Tautu Constituency. Akitua is part of Amuri-Ureia Constituency, as is Ootu Peninsula, just north of Akitua. Maina is part of Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara Constituency. The main island is equally divided among the three constituencies Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara (southwest), Vaipae-Tautu (southeast), and Amuri-Ureia (north).
Education
Araura CollegeAraura College
Araura College, the only secondary school on Aitutaki, Cook Islands, the school has a roll of approximately 200. It was established in February 1963.-Past Principals:*1963-66 Basil Oliver;*1967-68 Neville Pearson;...
is the only secondary school on Aitutaki. The school has the role of teaching approximately 200 students.
The island has two public schools: Vaitau Primary and Araura Primary School. There is also a private special character school which is the designated Seventh Day Adventist
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
(SDA) school. Araura Primary is the larger of the primary schools and caters for 150 students. Vaitau has 70 students which is a similar number to the SDA school.
All schools following the Cook Island Curriculum which is very similar to the old version of the New Zealand Curriculum framework.