The 5 Biggest Towns & Villages in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Last Updated: 7 June, 2025

What are the Towns and Villages in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands with the Highest Populations?

Before we get into this list of the biggest towns and villages in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, there are a few things you need to know.

First, this list is a ranking of the towns and villages by population, not land area. Second, the vast majority of the Cook Islands population lives on Rarotonga, so all of the largest towns/villages are on Rarotonga (except for a little bonus at the end of this list). Third, Rarotonga isn’t technically split into “towns” and “villages”.

It is, instead, split into five main districts and then divided into sub-districts that are tribal lands known as tapere. Outside of Rarotonga, settlements on the other Cook Islands are known as villages.

Now that we have housekeeping out of the way, let’s get into the largest towns and villages (or districts) in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands!

1. Avarua – The Largest Town in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Avarua is the largest town in the Cook Islands. It is the administrative capital of the Cook Islands, located on the island of Rarotonga. The district is home to some of the country’s oldest remaining buildings, the nation’s only international airport and the main port of the Cook Islands.

The town is split into 19 sub-districts known as tapere. Avarua has a population of around 4,900. Find out more about Avarua and what to do there in our 10 Best Things to Do in Avarua.

The 5 Biggest Towns & Villages in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

2. Arorangi

Sprawling all the way down the west coast of Rarotonga, Arorangi is the Cook Islands’ second-largest town. It is split into nine tapere (sub-districts).

Arorangi has a thriving tourism industry with a wealth of resorts and accommodations lining the beach, as well as cafes and attractions along the main road (Ara Tapu). The population of the Arorangi district is approximately 2,600.

3. Titikaveka and Vaimaanga (Takitumu)

The settlements sprawling along the southern coast of Rarotonga are collectively known as Takitumu where the sub-districts (tapere) of Titikaveka and Vaimaanga are easier to distinguish than other tapere across Rarotonga. The district is home to the Takitumu Conservation Area, an important habitat for the kakerori bird, as well as its beaches, although some lead out to some of the most dangerous passages on the lagoon.

You’ll also find the Cook Islands’ only waterfall, Papua Waterfall. The population of the Takitumu district is around 1,200.

4. Matavera

The smallest district by land area on Rarotonga is Matavera, but it remains well-populated, with around 960 people.

Matavera is located on the northeastern side of Rarotonga and is split into just five tapere. It could be described as the more “sleepy” side of Rarotonga, with a few convenience stores and a café, but not much tourist accommodation.

5. Ngatangiia

The least populated district on Rarotonga, yet the fifth most populated “town” in the Cook Islands, Ngatangiia is made up of 10 tapere. The district is known for its tourist hotspot, Muri Beach, which lines the only part of the lagoon with motu (islets).

There are plenty of resorts, restaurants and cafes here, while the Muri Lagoon is also a hub for watersports and lagoon cruises. The population of Ngatangiia is around 780.

[Bonus] Vaipae – Largest Village in Aitutaki

But wait, there’s more! We didn’t want to wrap up this list of the biggest towns and villages in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands without mentioning an actual village from one of the outer islands (or what the locals call “pa enua“). The largest village outside of Rarotonga is Vaipae in Aitutaki.

Vaipae is located on the eastern side of Aitutaki’s main island. The village is also locally known as “Hollywood” after US troops, after the war, would bring Hollywood movies and projectors to the village for them to play movies on the sports field. The nickname has stuck ever since.

The population of Vaipae is approximately 400.

More About the Largest Towns and Villages in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Now that you know the largest towns and villages in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, learn more about the geography of the Cook Islands with the following guides:

Finally, decide where to stay on Rarotonga using A Guide to the Best Side of Rarotonga and plan more of your trip using The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.

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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