Public Holidays in the Cook Islands (& Other Important Dates)

The Cook Islands has a range of public holidays to commemorate historical, cultural, and religious events. Some public holidays also relate to New Zealand’s public holidays, due to the island’s history with New Zealand, but it is now a self-governing state.

New Year's Day and New Year's Holiday

The Cook Islands celebrate the New Year much like many places around the world, counting down on December 31 until midnight on January 1.

A more traditional way for Cook Islanders to celebrate is with rangokere, which involves giving of food baskets, family picnics, singing, dancing and, of course, feasting. Note that if New Year's Day and/or the New Year Holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday will be observed on the next Monday (and Tuesday, if applicable) as well.

See how to experience this public holiday for yourself with our Cook Islands New Year Ideas.

Good Friday and Easter Monday

Easter is a religious holiday, celebrated in the Cook Islands, as the majority of the population is Christian. Dates for Easter Sunday are changeable from year to year and are determined by being the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday is the Monday after Easter Sunday. Learn more in The Guide to Easter in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

ANZAC Day

A public holiday on April 25, also celebrated in New Zealand and Australia, ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. It is a remembrance day for those who have fought and died in world conflicts, including Cook Islanders. A dawn memorial service is held at the cenotaph in Avarua on this day.

The Sovereign’s Birthday

Also celebrated as a public holiday in New Zealand, The Sovereign’s Birthday (first Monday of June) is celebrated because the Cook Islands is part of the Realm of New Zealand, whose head of state is “Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand”.

Ra o te Ui Ariki (Ariki Day)

Ra o te Ui Ariki means “Day of the Council of High Chiefs”. The public holiday on the first Friday of July celebrates the traditional aspect of the Cook Islands' legislative body. Although the Cook Islands has a modern democratic system, Ariki are more of a figurehead who serve to advise the elected government.

Constitution Day (and Te Maeva Nui)

The Cook Islands' most patriotic holiday commemorates the day the Cook Islands gained their independence and authority over their own Constitution in 1965. How do Cook Islanders celebrate? Te Maeva Nui is a week-long event leading up to Constitution Day, full of cultural festivities. See the snippet below for more details.

National Gospel Day

October 26, 1821, marked the day when the first Christian missionary, John Williams, introduced Christianity to the Cook Islands. Many Cook Islanders are deeply religious to this day. Of course, the celebration of Gospel Day is focused at local churches, but there are also Gospel Day pageants, reenactments about the coming of the Gospel to the Cook Islands, fireworks and more.

Learn more about the Cook Islands' connection with religion in The Guide to the Religions in the Cook Islands.

Christmas and Boxing Day

An important Christian holiday, Christmas is celebrated in the Cook Islands on December 25 and Boxing Day on December 26. Learn more about Christmas in our guide, How to Spend Christmas in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Although there is a National Gospel Day (see above), each of the islands also celebrates its own Gospel Day. Aitutaki was the first island to be converted to Christianity in 1821, a date commemorated in the national public holiday, while the other islands followed later. Island Gospel Days are as follows:

• March 13 - Penrhyn Gospel Day
• May 25 - Palmerston Gospel Day
• June 15 - Mangaia Gospel Day
• July 20 - Atiu Gospel Day
• July 21 - Mitiaro Gospel Day
• July 25 - Rarotonga Gospel Day
• August 8 - Manihiki Gospel Day
• August 15 - Rakahanga Gospel Day
• October 27 - Aitutaki Gospel Day
• December 8 - Pukapuka Gospel Day

Public holidays aren't the only thing to look forward to in the Cook Islands. The island nation also has a lively events calendar. We go into detail in The Top Events & Festivals in the Cook Islands. Otherwise, here's a quick overview of the top events.

Te Mira Ura - Dancer of the Year

One of the biggest cultural events of the year, Te Mira Ura - Dancer of the Year, held in April, is a lively event where competitors dance their way to become the "Dancer of the Year" in true Polynesian style. There are three age groups, and the final event is held in the National Auditorium on Rarotonga.

Te Maeva Nui

Te Maeva Nui is a week-long cultural celebration featuring arts, crafts, music, song, dance, and local cuisine. It celebrates Cook Islands culture in the lead-up to Constitution Day, August 4, which marks the date the Cook Islands gained independence in 1965. The main events of Te Maeva Nui are, unsurprisingly, the dance competitions, culminating in the finals at the National Auditorium on Rarotonga.

Round Rarotonga Road Race

Just one example of the many sporting events that take place in the Cook Islands, the Round Rarotonga Road Race is a run that anyone can join (as long as you register). The annual event, which takes place in September, includes the main race, a 31 km (9.4 mi) run along the stunning coastal road of Rarotonga, as well as a 5 km (1.5 mi) fun run, a relay, a cross-island run, and more.

Te Mire Flower Festival

Finally, another top cultural event of the year, the Te Mire Tiare Flower Festival in December, is a must-see. The colourful festival, where shops, schools and government buildings are decorated with flowers, can't help but put a smile on your face.

The focal point of the event is the annual pageant, which begins with an event at Punanga Nui Market in Rarotonga and concludes with a float parade where the Maine Tiare and Tama Aito are crowned.

See more of the top events in the 10 Biggest Festivals in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.