Everything you need to know about Cook Islands: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
The South Pacific Cook Islands with Polynesian Traditions
The tourist haven of Cook Islands were first discovered in 1773 by Captain Cook who named it Hervey Islands before the present name stuck in the 1820s. The Cook Islands is self-governed but in free association with New Zealand, which looks after its defence. The capital of Cook Islands is the Rarotonga Island, apart from this there are 14 other Islands, the prominent being the Aitutaki Island. The Cook Islands located in the South Pacific Ocean are well known for their Black Pearl export. The Cook Islanders trace their descent from a mixed Polynesian heritage including the Maori.
Cook Island Facts and Figures:Administration and Economy of Cook Islands:
Except for Defence the Parliamentary government of Cook Islands looks after all other matters. Apart from this there are hereditary councils known as the House of Ariki that govern the local traditions and customs of the various islands. A mayor heads each of these councils such as the Rarotonga council.
Black Pearls are the chief Cook Islands export apart from fishing, offshore banking and agriculture. However tourism is the main economic driver of the Cook Islands and every year thousands of tourists visit Cook Islands to experience the breath-taking beauty of islands like Aitutaki and Rarotonga.
Cook Islands Culture and Cuisine:
Owing to large tourist activity and New Zealand cultural influence, tradition has somewhat faded away in the southern Cook Islands of Aitutaki and Rarotonga whereas the relatively isolated northern islands have retained their traditional past. The Cook Islanders are largely of Maori Polynesian descent and live in big traditional joint families. Due to New Zealand’s cultural influence most of the Cook Islanders are Christian and regularly attend the Sunday mass. The Cook
Islanders love their music and Imene tuki is a popular Cook Island folk music.
Cook Island cuisine features some mouth-watering dishes. The breakfast mostly includes papaya and coconut in which lemon garnishing is a must. The Ungako or the shellfish is a local delicacy that is eaten raw or cooked. Other seafood include white crabs that are served with grated cheese and coconut garnishing
Cook Islands Tourist Attractions:
Cook Islands offer the perfect vacation spots that include beautiful beach villas in Aitutaki apart from holiday resorts like Sina’s Garden and the Maina Sunset motel to enjoy the scenic sunsets. The Muri beach in Rarotonga is a must visit for all the sunbathers. The Rarotonga Island also offers many other exotic sightseeing places that include the following:
London, May 3 (ANI): Former girlfriends of President Barack Obama have opened up for the first time of his "sexual warmth" and disclosed the contents of love letters that he sent to them during his 20s, in a new biography.
London, May 1 (ANI): Four footballers in UK have been charged with sexual assault and voyeurism.
London, May 1 (ANI): Jennifer Aniston is looking for pads in Richmond, a suburb outside of London, where ex husband Brad Pitt and his fiancee Angelina Jolie rented last year and plan to spend much of the next two years.
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New Delhi, April 30 (IANS) India Monday took a major step towards strengthening of the security of its island territories, an issue that has acquired urgency in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes, by commissioning a full-fledged naval base in the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) British Musician Norman Quentin Cook, known by his stage name Fatboy Slim, is all set to enthrall Indian music lovers for the very first time with his performances. He says India has always been a dream destination.
London, Apr 29(ANI): England one- day cricket captain Alastair Cook has called on the game's administrators to ensure that Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the sport.ook admitted the world needs to act now to ensure Twenty20 cricket does not prevent international cricket being the best versus the best.
New York, April 27 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been elected to the executive board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women or UN Women for a three-year term.
Panaji, April 27 (IANS) Goa's unique beach management and lifeguard services innovation has spurred other state governments in India to emulate the example, an official said here Friday.
New Delhi, Apr 25 (ANI): The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday informed that no damage has occurred in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which experienced moderate intensity tremors earlier today.
Melbourne, Apr 25 (ANI): Ben Southall, who was hired by Queensland Tourism for the "best job ever", has revealed that it was more than he anticipated.
New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) A moderate earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale jolted the Nicobar islands Wednesday afternoon, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official here said.
San Francisco, April 25 (IANS) Apple has released quarterly sales and earnings results that surpassed analysts' expectations.
Wellington, April 22 (ANI): Responding to the request of Colombian government, Spirit Airlines has issued an apology and pulled a "More Bang For Your Buck" ad spoofing the Secret Service prostitution scandal, according to NBC Miami.
London, Apr 19 (ANI): Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their brood are said to be enjoying a break in the exotic location of Galapagos Islands to celebrate the couple's engagement.
London, Apr 19 (ANI): Duchess Kate, Pippa Middleton and Sarah Burton, who designed the wedding gown at last year's Royal wedding, have been included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
London, Apr 18(ANI): Ex-Faroe Islands goalkeeper Poul Dam had swapped shirts with heart victims Fabrice Muamba and tragic Piermario Morosini in the only two internationals he played in.
Beijing, Apr 18 (ANI): China has raised objections to Tokyo's sudden announcement of plans to buy parts of the Diaoyu Islands, and claimed the island has China's 'undisputable sovereignty'.
Sydney, April 17 (IANS) Marine scientists in Australia undertaking the world's first large-scale investigation of the impact of climate change on coral reefs suggest that many of them would survive the ravages of warming.
London, Apr 17(ANI): England Test skipper Andrew Strauss has dismissed claims that he gave up the one-day captaincy because he is henpecked.
Bogota, April 15 (IANS) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is battling cancer, will not attend the Sixth Summit of the Americas as advised by his doctors, said the country's foreign minister Saturday.
Beirut, April 15 (IANS) Lebanon has criticised the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to the disputed island of Abu Musa.
London, April 14 (ANI): Louise Redknapp, wife of former Liverpool and England football star Jamie, has opened up about their 14-year happy marriage and how she deals with other women meeting her gorgeous man.
Port of Spain (Trinidad), April 13 (IANS/CMC) Windward Islands off-spinner Shane Shillingford has been called up for the second Test against Australia, starting here Sunday, on the heels of a disappointing performance by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo in the Kensington Oval opener which West Indies lost by three wickets.
London, Apr 12 (ANI): England cricketers Alastair Cook and Tim Bresnan were named in Wisden's five-man Cricketers of the Year list.
Bhubaneswar, Apr 11 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a high-level meeting here on Wednesday to ensure that systems are in place in case of any earthquake or tsunami warnings.
Port Blair, Apr 11 (ANI): With the Indonesian quake triggering tsunami fears across the Indian Ocean nations, including India, Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shakti Sinha, on Wednesday said there is no need to panic.
New Delhi, Apr 11 (ANI): Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh on Wednesday said he has spoken to all the Chief Secretaries of the coastal states including Andaman and Nicobar Islands following the 8.5 magnitude earthquake, which struck the western coast of Indonesia.
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) here Wednesday appealed to people, particularly near coastal areas to not panic as there was no tsunami threat to India, after the massive earthquake in Indonesia.
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) India Wednesday asked states along its east coast to be on high alert amid tsunami fears following a massive earthquake in Indonesia.
London, Apr 11(ANI): Technology giant Apple's value has hit the 600 billion dollar mark for the first time ever, asserting its position as the most valuable US company in the world.
Jakarta, Apr 11 (ANI): A massive earthquake has hit the West Coast of Sumatra, at a magnitude of 8.7 on the Richter scale.
An earthquake of 8.9 magnitudes has hit Indonesia. After which Indonesia has issued a tsunami warning. Besides Indonesia, tremors were also felt in 28 countries.
Washington, April 9 (IANS) US naval robocopters, carrying powerful sensors, will be able to ferret out small pirate boats even if they are indistinguishable from other vessels.
London, Apr 9 (ANI): Pippa Middleton, who had taken to the snowy hills of Western Sweden just last month for a charity cross country ski event, did not need a second invitation to get back on the slopes when she joined her family in more relaxing circumstances on holiday.
London, Apr 9(ANI): England Test opener Alastair Cook believes his team's top order batsmen have finally regained their lost touch after recording their first Test win this year against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
London, Apr 8(ANI): England off spinner Graeme Swann snapped ten wickets during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, and his brilliant performance has helped him jump six positions in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Bowling Rankings to reach fourth, just one place behind team mate James Anderson.
Dubai, April 8 (IANS) Off-spinner Graeme Swann's 10-wicket haul not only helped England to a Test victory in Colombo but also lifted him six places to fourth spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test bowling rankings - just one place behind team mate James Anderson.
London, April 8 (IANS) Apple will become the world's first trillion-dollar company when its shares top $1,000 each, Wall Street analysts have predicted.
Colombo, Apr 7(ANI): England will remain as World's number one Test team, as it beat Sri Lanka in the second Test match in Colombo by eight wickets.
Washington, April 6 (IANS) Indian and the US navies will conduct a joint training drill, "Exercise Malabar 2012", April 9-16 in the Bay of Bengal and west of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Beijing, April 5 (IANS) China is going to open its Xisha Islands to tourists in a bid to reassert its sovereignty over a scattering of islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
Moscow, April 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Russian fencer who won bronze at an international event in London recently has been arrested along with two teammates from the national team on suspicion of drug dealing, an official said.
New Delhi, Apr.3 (ANI): Hollywood director James Cameron of "Titanic" and "Avatar" after diving in the Mariana Trench or Marianas Trench, which is the deepest part of the world's oceans, and located in the western Pacific Ocean, supports views on the technical details related to the trench, oceanic life and the need to save environment as well as mother Earth, as conveyed in the book "Luv U Mate" by Indian author Dr Punit Sethi.
Buenos Aires (Argentina), Apr.3 (ANI): Argentinian leftists protesting near the British Embassy in Buenos Aires burnt an effigy of Britain's Prince William, who recently participated in naval exercises near the islands.
Washington, April 2 (IANS) It won't be long before our homes use sensors and software to anticipate our needs and help improve our health and energy efficiency, a study says.
London, Mar 28 (ANI): Scientists have suggested new age for 'The Great Rift Valley of East Africa'-the birthplace of the human species- asserting that it may have taken much longer to develop than earlier believed.
Beijing, March 27 (IANS) China may step up its exploration of the South China Sea to reinforce its territorial claims.
Beijing, March 27 (IANS) Apple Inc. said it was eyeing greater investment and growth in China as its chief executive Tim Cook visited Beijing Monday.
New Delhi, Mar.24 (ANI): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Balbir Punj condemned the abduction of an Orissa MLA by Maoists, and called on the federal government to wage a full-fledged war against the rebels.
London, March 23 (IANS) Two US men have pleaded guilty to indecent exposure in Dominica after they were arrested during a stop on a gay cruise of the Caribbean.
London, Mar 23 (ANI): Usain Bolt gets a speeding ticket in his new ad, where he is seen sprinting across London in a bid to get to the Olympic Stadium on time.
London, Mar 22 (ANI): Prince William had an emotional reunion with his wife Kate after flying back into the UK following his six weeks stint in the Falklands.
London, Mar 22 (ANI): Prince William had an emotional reunion with his wife Kate after flying back into the UK following his six weeks stint in the Falklands.
London, Mar 21 (ANI): Danielle Lloyd, who has had her implants removed recently, has said that although putting a bikini for the first time after surgery was really "upsetting" she doesn't want big breasts again.
London, Mar 20 (ANI): Tech giant Apple has announced that it would resume paying dividends for the first time since 1995 and buy back 10 billion dollars of its shares.
London, Mar 20 (ANI): Tech giant Apple has announced that it would resume paying dividends for the first time since 1995 and buy back 10 billion dollars of its shares.
London, Mar 14(ANI): Britain was on the verge of sharing the Falkland Islands with Argentina almost 40 years ago, with islanders having joint nationality, it has been claimed.
London, Mar 14(ANI): Britain was on the verge of sharing the Falkland Islands with Argentina almost 40 years ago, with islanders having joint nationality, it has been claimed.
London, Mar 13 (ANI): Tulisa Contostavlos is reportedly dating actor Jack O'Connell, just days after her fling in Miami with 'The Only Way Is Essex' star Mark Wright.
London, Mar 13 (ANI): Tulisa Contostavlos is reportedly dating actor Jack O'Connell, just days after her fling in Miami with 'The Only Way Is Essex' star Mark Wright.
Washington, Mar 11(ANI): US President Barack Obama is set to warmly welcome UK Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha on an official visit with a state dinner" at the White House this week after describing the UK as "closest partner in the world."
Washington, Mar 8(ANI): Apple's newest version of the iPad must "shatter records" if shares are to keep surging, analysts have warned.
Washington, Mar 8(ANI): Apple's newest version of the iPad must "shatter records" if shares are to keep surging, analysts have warned.
London, Mar 7 (ANI): Morrissey's band performed in front of 15,000 fans in Argentina wearing "We Hate William and Kate" T-shirts, courting further controversy over his stance on the Falkland Islands.
London, Mar 7 (ANI): Morrissey's band performed in front of 15,000 fans in Argentina wearing "We Hate William and Kate" T-shirts, courting further controversy over his stance on the Falkland Islands.
Melbourne, Mar 6 (ANI): Demi Moore has returned home to Los Angeles after her rehab treatment.
London, March 6 (ANI): Researchers have cautioned that up to 900 species of tropical land birds around the world could become extinct by 2100.
Scientists have warned that up to 900 species of tropical land birds around the world may become extinct by 2100.
London, March 6 (ANI): Researchers have cautioned that up to 900 species of tropical land birds around the world could become extinct by 2100.
Melbourne, Mar 6 (ANI): Demi Moore has returned home to Los Angeles after her rehab treatment.
London, Mar 2 (ANI): Christie Brinkley's ex-husband Peter Cook has called her a "narcissistic egomaniac" in a court document filed countering claims that he owes her child support.
London, Mar 2 (ANI): Christie Brinkley's ex-husband Peter Cook has called her a "narcissistic egomaniac" in a court document filed countering claims that he owes her child support.
London, Feb 27 (ANI): England coach Andy Flower has made it clear that Andrew Strauss still remains his No.1 captain despite success of skippers Alastair Cook in ODIs and Stuart Broad in T20s.
London, Feb 27 (ANI): England coach Andy Flower has made it clear that Andrew Strauss still remains his No.1 captain despite success of skippers Alastair Cook in ODIs and Stuart Broad in T20s.
London, Feb 24 (ANI): Apple CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged that the tech giant has more money 'than it knows what to do with'.
Washington, Feb 24 (ANI): Apple CEO Tim Cook has told the firm's investors that the tech giant is working hard on making products that 'will blow your mind.'
Known for its innovative products Apple is planning to launch products that can blow your mind. Apple CEO Tim Cook said to the firm's investors that the company is working hard to launch products that 'will blow your mind.'
Washington, Feb 24 (ANI): Apple CEO Tim Cook has told the firm's investors that the tech giant is working hard on making products that 'will blow your mind.'
London, Feb 24 (ANI): Apple CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged that the tech giant has more money 'than it knows what to do with'.
London, Feb 23(ANI): England opener Alastair Cook, who was not considered a realistic Twenty 20 candidate may soon find himself in the national squad for the shortest format owing to his blistering one-day form.
London, Feb 23(ANI): England opener Alastair Cook, who was not considered a realistic Twenty 20 candidate may soon find himself in the national squad for the shortest format owing to his blistering one-day form.
London, Feb 21 (ANI): Apple's main manufacturing partner, Foxconn, which faced criticism over inhumane working conditions at its suppliers' plants in China, will now increase workers' salaries by up to 25 percent.
London, Feb 21 (ANI): Apple's main manufacturing partner, Foxconn, which faced criticism over inhumane working conditions at its suppliers' plants in China, will now increase workers' salaries by up to 25 percent.
Melbourne, Feb 20 (ANI): Girl Guides in New Zealand's town of Dragaville have decided to put it on the map as "Bra-gaville" with their record breaking effort of stringing nearly 170,000 bras together.
Islamabad, Feb 17 (ANI): Pakistan opener and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has expressed confidence about the team's ability to bounce back and win the remaining one-day internationals after England, despite the latter taking a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
London, Feb 17(ANI): England one day cricket Alastair Cook has said playing Twenty 20 cricket for Essex has helped him emerge has a better one-day player.
Dubai, Feb 17(ANI): England all rounder Ravi Bopara has said Essex team mate and England one-day captain Alastair Cook has worked hard to improve himself as a batsman in the shorter format of the game.
Port Blair, Feb 17 (ANI): The Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, said last week, that elected representatives of panchayats should be treated as the "first tier of democracy" rather than the "third tier of development."
Port Blair, Feb 17 (ANI): The Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh, said last week, that elected representatives of panchayats should be treated as the "first tier of democracy" rather than the "third tier of development."
Dubai, Feb 17(ANI): England all rounder Ravi Bopara has said Essex team mate and England one-day captain Alastair Cook has worked hard to improve himself as a batsman in the shorter format of the game.
London, Feb 16 (ANI)): The Duchess of Cambridge reportedly sent a pair of boxer shorts to her husband Prince William, who is in the Falkland Islands serving as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, as Valentine's Day gift.
London, Feb 16 (ANI): Tech giant Apple's chief executive Tim Cook has predicted that tablet computers will soon become more popular than laptops and desktops.
London, Feb 15 (ANI): The Duchess of Cambridge has revealed that Prince William has sent her a card for Valentine's Day, even though he is currently in Falklands Islands.
London, Feb 14 (ANI): In response to growing criticism over conditions at Apple's overseas factories, the tech giant has announced that it has asked a charity to conduct "special voluntary audits" of several facilities that manufacture iPhones, iPads and other products.
Washington, Feb 12 (ANI): Distracting yourself from pain can actually help you hurt less, suggest experts.
Washington, Feb 12 (ANI): Distracting yourself from pain can actually help you hurt less, suggest experts.
London, Feb 12 (ANI): Prince William has hinted that he will extend his RAF service beyond next year, as he plans to put military service over royal duties.
Buenos Aires, Feb 11(ANI): Argentina has claimed that Britain is treating the Falkland Islands as the "last refuge of a declining empire," as it urged the United Nations to stop the "militarisation" of the area.
Melbourne, Feb 10 (ANI): Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell have topped the Worst Romantic Comedy Couple poll for their film 'Bewitched'.
London, Feb 10(ANI): England wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter has backed beleaguered Kevin Pietersen to regain his form, which earned him reputation of being one of the finest one-days batsman in international cricket.