What Can You Buy in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands: A List of Cook Islands Crafts and Souvenirs
Forget “Made in China”. The Cook Islands is home to talented craftspeople creating an array of clothing, jewellery, musical instruments, skincare, perfumes and more. With a generous mix of traditional crafts and Polynesian-inspired designs implemented on contemporary accessories, there’s something for anyone that wants to get their “shop on” in the Cook Islands. Discover more about what you can buy in the Cook Islands and the stories behind them in this list of the best souvenirs in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.
1. Black Pearl Jewellery
The Cook Islands’ intricate black pearls are grown in just one atoll in the whole country, Manihiki. Black pearl farmers export black pearls to jewellers on Rarotonga, who set the black pearls in high-quality fashion pieces. Find out more about the black pearl industry in the 10 Best Things to Do in the Northern Cook Islands. Plus, discover the best places to buy black pearl jewellery in The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Where to buy: Pearl Lounge (Arorangi), Goldmine (Avarua), Paka’s Pearls (Avarua), Fishers Black Pearl Jewellery (Avarua), Island Craft (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), Kora Pearls (Avarua), Bergman & Sons (Avarua & Pacific Resort Aitutaki), Beachcomber (Avarua), Punanga Nui Market (Avarua), Farm Direct Pearls (Avarua), T&S Artworx (Aitutaki) and straight from the source in Manihiki!
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com2. Rito Hats, Fans and Earrings
Made with the fine fibres of coconut fronds, locally known as “rito”, the most iconic hats in the Cook Islands are rito hats. Hats are usually bleached white, typically topped with a shell, that you see all the mamas wearing to church. While predominantly coming in white, rito hats, fans and earrings can come in an array of colours. Most of the Cook Islands’ rito crafts come from the island of Penrhyn, with a smaller industry on the island of Rakahanga – both in the Northern Group.
Where to buy: Punanga Nui Market (Avarua), Tivaevae Collectables (Nikao), Island Craft (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), Rongohiva Hut/Leida Tapu Creations (Avatiu), Perfumes of Rarotonga (Nikao) and straight from the source in Penrhyn and Rakahanga!
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com3. Cook Islands Ukuleles
Strummed to create the sounds of Polynesia, ukuleles are handcrafted in the Cook Islands, either in the form of a traditional coconut ukulele or more modern yet still handcrafted in an array of carving designs.
Where to buy: Punanga Nui Market (Avarua), T&S Artworx (Aitutaki), Island Craft (Avarua & Rarotongan Airport) and M&M Ukalele & Crafts (Tupapa).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com4. Pareu (Sarongs)
An iconic piece of attire in the Cook Islands, sarongs (locally known as “pareu”) are locally printed in a wealth of designs and colours. Go on one of the Rarotonga lagoon cruises to learn about the many fashionable ways of tying this versatile piece of clothing!
Where to buy: Punanga Nui Market (Avarua), Mareko Island Creations (Avarua), Island Craft (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), CITC (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), Beach Hut (Rarotonga Airport), Tuki’s Pareu (Avarua) and the gift shops at the Muri Beach Club Hotel, Edgewater, The Rarotongan and Pacific Resort Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com5. Floral or Shell ‘Ei (Neck and Head Garlands)
‘Ei kaki (neck garlands) and ‘ei katu (head garlands) are a part of your Cook Islands journey from the moment you arrive and your host gives you a fresh floral ‘ei kaki. But they don’t just come as fresh flowers that have a short lifespan! Shell necklaces, pupu necklaces (the name given to the tiny yellow shells which are a speciality of the island of Mangaia) and fake floral ‘ei can also be purchased on the islands, giving you the complete island look!
Where to buy: Punanga Nui Market (Avarua), the gift shop at the Muri Beach Club Hotel, Island Craft (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport) and the Mangaia Golden Shells Tour (Mangaia).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com6. Perfumes of Rarotonga Fragrances
That’s right, the Cook Islands even has its own range of perfumes, Perfumes of Rarotonga. They are handmade right on the island of Rarotonga and all packaged in a spray bottle in a silk draw-string bag, making for an excellent gift. Choose from either their floral range with the scents of the Cook Islands’ flowers or their elegant premium range.
Where to buy: Perfumes of Rarotonga Factory (Nikao), the gift shop at the Muri Beach Club Hotel (Muri), id.CK (Avarua) and CITC (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com7. Coconut Oil and Soap
The coconut is hugely significant to the people of the Cook Islands, offering many different uses all the way down to making irresistible soaps and oil. Coconut skincare and haircare products are a speciality of Rito Cook Islands, whose factory you can visit on some of the tours of Rarotonga. Alternatively, Perfumes of Rarotonga make all their own coconut soaps, oils and body spray.
Where to buy: Rito Cook Islands (Titikaveka), Perfumes of Rarotonga Factory (Nikao), the gift shop at the Muri Beach Club Hotel (Muri), id.CK (Avarua) and Beachcomber (Avarua).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com8. Wooden Carvings
A traditional art form in the Cook Islands, wooden carvings are a highly prized souvenir. Most wooden carvings are of the iconic “god of the sea” and “god of fertility”, Tangaroa, but you can find all sorts of Polynesian and marine-inspired ornamental designs.
Where to buy: Punanga Nui Market (Avarua), Island Craft (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), CITC (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), Beach Hut (Rarotonga Airport), Perfumes of Rarotonga (Nikao) and Avatea Cafe (Aitutaki).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com9. Recycled Glass Jewellery
For a dose of sustainability made into a unique souvenir you can only get on the atoll of Aitutaki, the recycled glass jewellery of T&S Artworx can’t be missed! Visit their workshop and you’ll get to browse their range of earrings made from glass that has either been washed up on shore or reclaimed from cyclone damage.
Where to buy: T&S Artworx (Aitutaki).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com10. Tivaevae Linen
The traditional art form of quilting in the Cook Islands is called “tivaevae” which adorns the beds of many resort accommodations in the Cook Islands. You can pick up your own piece of tivaevae on Rarotonga, whether it be throw pillowcases or a full bed set. Tivaevae Collectables are the main store for selling tivaevae, with either handmade options from the Cook Islands or machine-made linens from Bali.
Where to buy: Tivaevae Collectables (Nikao) and Mareko Island Creations (Avarua).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com11. Island Shirts
Nothing says the “Pacific Islands” more than a vibrant floral shirt! While these “island shirts” are for sale at souvenir shops across the Cook Islands, you can get yourself a tailor-made shirt at Tuki’s Pareu.
Where to buy: Tuki’s Pareu (Avarua), Island Craft (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), CITC (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport), Beach Hut (Rarotonga Airport), Avatea Cafe (Aitutaki), id.CK (Avarua) and the gift shops at the Muri Beach Club Hotel, Edgewater, The Rarotongan and Pacific Resort Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com12. Locally-Designed Tees, Caps and Sportswear
If you’re looking for a clothing souvenir that you can wear anytime anywhere, you can’t go too wrong with a T-shirt. There are few T-shirt, vest and cap designers on the islands selling awesome contemporary designer tees, such as at Stonefish Studio, as well as custom-made air-brushed caps at Ollie’s Surf Gear.
Where to buy: Stonefish Studio (Aitutaki), Ollie’s Surf Gear (Avarua), Punanga Nui Market (Avarua) and Turtles (Avarua & Rarotonga Airport).
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com13. Cook Islands Coins and Notes
Although the official currency of the Cook Islands is New Zealand Dollars, the country issues its own unique coins and banknotes. You’re highly likely to be given the unusual triangle $2 or dodecagon $5 coin as change when paying with cash, but banknotes like the $3 Aitutaki banknote are pretty rare. If you don’t spend all of your Cook Islands money before leaving, you’ll have to keep them as a souvenir, as there is nowhere outside of the Cook Islands that will exchange this currency.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com14. Cook Islands Visitor’s Scooter License
Finally, on a similar theme to the point above, one souvenir you may naturally come home with is your Cook Islands scooter license! If you’re planning on hiring a scooter but don’t have a motorcycle license from home, then you’ll need to apply for one. Find out how in our guide, How to Get a Rarotonga & Cook Islands Scooter License.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comMore About Souvenirs in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands
Now that you know some of the amazing island crafts and souvenirs you can purchase in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, here’s more information on the places to buy them:
- The Guide to Shopping in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands + The Best Places to Shop
- The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
- 5 Best Markets in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
Finally, add more activities beyond shopping to the bucket list using the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List. Plus, work out all the logistics of planning a Cook Islands getaway in The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.
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