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

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

© Cook Islands Tourism

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© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

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.

The 5 Biggest Towns & Villages in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

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 Takitimu Conservation Area, an important habitat for the kakerori bird, as well as as its beaches although some lead out to some of the most dangerous passages on the lagoon. You’ll also find the Cook Island’s only waterfall, Papua Waterfall, and the derelict site of the old Sheraton Resort. The population of the Takitumu district is around 1,200.

The 5 Biggest Towns & Villages in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

4. Matavera

The smallest district by land size on Rarotonga is Matavera, but it’s still 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 cafe but not much tourist accommodation.

The 5 Biggest Towns & Villages in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

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.

The 5 Biggest Towns & Villages in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

[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.

The 5 Biggest Towns & Villages in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

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.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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