10 Best Churches in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for Visitors

Last Updated: 7 June, 2025

The Best Churches in the Cook Islands to Experience as a Visitor

Even if you’re not religious, attending a Sunday church service in the Cook Islands is not to be missed. It’s a way to have an authentic Cook Islands experience where you’ll join the locals dressed in their finest attire (and most magnificent hats – mostly made on the far-flung island of Penrhyn) and be immersed in the powerful harmonies that fill the coral limestone halls.

Around half of the Cook Islands population belong to the CICC church – the Cook Islands Christian Church, which is also the longest-running denomination in the country. That’s why you’ll see that most of the churches listed in this guide of the best Cook Islands churches for visitors are, indeed, CICC churches.

We have, however, included a couple more denominations that offer a slightly different experience. Learn more about these denominations of the Cook Islands in The Guide to the Religions in the Cook Islands.

7 Tips for Going to Church in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Wear respectable clothing – ideally, long trousers and shirts for men and skirts/dresses that cover the knees for women (preferably with the shoulders covered too)
The church services that welcome visitors are the services that take place on a Sunday at 10 am. Note that Catholic church services start at 9 am instead
Some CICC churches on Rarotonga hold a gathering with food at the local hall after the church service, which visitors are also welcome to attend
You should wait until the pastor leaves before leaving the service yourself, otherwise, it will be seen as disrespectful
It is not respectful to take photos inside the church while it’s in service – taking photos outside is perfectly acceptable, though
Have some small change available, known as offerings, to donate to the church; they will pass around a small bag for donations
There’s no public transport available on a Sunday. However, Cook Islands Tours offers a Sunday church service tour with transport included.

1. Avarua CICC Church (Rarotonga)

The CICC church of the most populated town in the Cook Islands, Avarua CICC Church is a popular choice for visitors and locals alike. With pews set between two floors, you can get a different perspective of the service.

The coral limestone church was built in 1853 (following the destruction of the first church during a cyclone) and has the most stunning backdrop of Te Rua Manga (The Needle) from outside. The church is surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in the country which are interesting to explore after the service – see the 10 Best Things to Do in Avarua for ideas.

Location: Makea Tinirau Road, Avarua, Rarotonga.

10 Best Churches in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for Visitors

2. Arutanga CICC Church (Aitutaki)

The oldest church in the Cook Islands can be found in the town of Arutanga in Aitutaki. It’s by far the most striking building on the island, first made from coral limestone in 1828 and renovated over the years to keep it in prime condition.

There are three entrances to the church, each at the northern and southern ends of the church for different villagers, while the side entrance facing the road is the visitor entrance.

Location: Main Road at the southern end of Arutanga, Aitutaki.

3. Zinoa CICC Church (The Divided Church) (Mauke)

Certainly, the church with the most interesting story to tell, Ziona CICC Church, can be found on the island of Mauke. It is better known as “The Divided Church” because it was built to satisfy the conflicting wishes of the two villages that share it.

The villages made a compromise of having two different types of architecture and decor on the interior of the church, with a distinct divide down the middle. Each village also has its own entrance and walkway with a grand limestone archway.

Location: At the centre of Mauke, between Ngatiarua and Areora villages.

4. Celebration Church Rarotonga (Rarotonga)

If you want to experience a church service that’s a little different, check out the Celebration Church in Nikao (the suburb of Avarua), just opposite the airport. The Celebration Church trades the usual traditional hymns in Cook Islands Maori for upbeat performances in English sung by a band.

You can either sit inside the large hall with a stage or outside with views of the ocean.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Panama, just across from the airport and behind Rarotonga Rentals.

5. Tamarua CICC Church (Mangaia)

Boasting one of the most stylish interiors of a CICC church in the Cook Islands, the Tamarua CICC Church retains its original wood-carved interiors, beams, and sennit rope binding. The church on Mangaia offers a splendid Sunday service with the usual CICC church offerings: parishioners wearing gorgeous hats and singing glorious traditional hymns.

Location: Tamarua village, south side of Mangaia.

6. St Joseph’s Cathedral (Rarotonga)

St Joseph’s Cathedral is the mother church of the Catholic Church in the Cook Islands. Its striking hexagonal building can be found on the main road of Avarua.

Be awed by the stained-glass windows and wooden carvings of its interior and enjoy the Sunday church service that takes place at 9 am.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avarua, Rarotonga.

7. Arorangi CICC Church (Rarotonga)

The CICC Church, located in the second-most populated district of Rarotonga, is another worthy choice for visitors to experience a Sunday church service in the Cook Islands. Not only is Arorangi CICC Church close to many resorts along the Arorangi coast, but its services are conducted in both Cook Islands Māori and English.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi near Raemaru Park Road, Rarotonga.

8. Matavera CICC Church (Rarotonga)

If you’re looking for a more “off-the-beaten-track” service away from the main tourist centres, Matavera CICC Church offers just that. Located in the smallest district of Rarotonga, Matavera CICC Church hosts a traditional Sunday service in their “silo” built in 1857.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Matavera, between Te Ara Koata Road and Matavera Road, Rarotonga.

9. Ziona Tapu CICC Church (Atiu)

The largest church in the Cook Islands, Ziona Tapu CICC Church, is the only CICC church on Atiu. The coral limestone church has the unusual feature of a three-storey bell tower, which you are welcome to walk up to the top of with the permission of the deacon.

Again, traditional hymns are the highlight of this spiritual Sunday service.

Location: Centre of Atiu on the main road between Teenui and Mapumai.

10. Betela CICC Church (Mitiaro)

Finally, those on the island of Mitiaro are welcome to join the Sunday service of the Betela CICC Church. The church is impossible to miss, taking a prime position in the centre of Mangarei village.

Enjoy its service to the vibrant colours of the church’s stained-glass windows.

Location: Centre of Mangarei village on the west coast of Mitiaro.

More About Church in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

That’s it for our list of the best churches in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands to experience as a visitor or tourist. Experience more of the culture of the Cook Islands with the advice of these guides:

And tick more experiences off your bucket list with the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as the Cook Islands. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Raro’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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