11 Things you can only do in the Cook Islands

Yeah, I’ll admit that headline is a bit misleading. I’d prefer you to say it’s “clickbait” and if you’re reading this, it worked. Here are my top eleven things you can do in the Cook Islands and only a handful of other places. Dare I say though, I strongly believe there are no other places where you can do all eleven together. In no particular order, let’s start!

1. Feeding wild chickens & collecting eggs

I grew up in Aitutaki where wild chickens were everywhere and if anything, they were annoying. You’d have to listen to them bickering and fighting outside our classrooms (in high school) when I was “trying really hard” to listen to Mr Collins’ explain the Pythagoras theorem. I failed math and I blame the chickens. They were considered wild but not really, you could definitely handfeed some and even tame them. They were the real-life Pokémon in Aitutaki.

2. Ride helmet free, no seat belts, on a $20 driver’s license

In Rarotonga you didn’t have to wear seatbelts, but you legally needed a helmet. In Aitutaki and the rest of the outer islands, you didn’t need a helmet to ride a motorcycle. For some this is a novelty, but for me I grew up thinking this was so normal and when I moved to New Zealand, realized helmets are so heavy and bulky… oh and that they can save your life! (Thats the important part). Drivers’ licenses are acquired in Rarotonga after sitting a theory and practical test. This takes approximately 45-60 minutes and cost $20.00 NZD. Is the practical test easy? I’m not sure as I got my license for $2.50 NZD in Aitutaki and had to answer one question: Does a motorcycle take petrol or diesel?

3. Get your passport stepped in the smallest post office in the world!

I meant STAMPED, or did I? If the stamp looks like a foot, then I’m not wrong. A great addition to the passport stamp collection, albeit in this day and age everything’s all electronic so it may soon no longer exist. A quick google says the smallest post office in the world is Ochopee in Florida, USA, but I disagree and say it’s this one. It’s so small that Google doesn’t even know about it. So…. book a flight and get it stepped!

4. Eat unlimited coconuts

That’s if you can climb a tree! I jest, the Aitutakian’s have advanced technology that enables the harvesting of coconuts using a contraption called a “rau”. The rau is a long stick usually made of bamboo that can be over 15m in length, and at the end of the stick, is a hooked rebar (steel bar). Combine this with some strong arms and you can harvest all the coconuts you could ever want!

5. Collect shells

If I collected shells (I don’t), I’ll get pretty ones and put them in a glass jar, then use it as a doorstop. I don’t suggest collecting them to bring them back to your home countries for three reasons, 1; you are taking the homes of certain crabs and other marine life, 2; some of these shells are endangered and will get confiscated once you pass through New Zealand and 3; David Attenborough will be disappointed in you. So in these instances, nobody wins! My suggestion to you is to admire them, take a photo for the Instagram, then leave them. My suggestion to government (when I get around to it) is to introduce a “shell tax”. Visitors must declare the shells they take back home with them and pay a fee. Because there will always be people that take shells home whether you like it or not, let’s just charge them: legally.

6. Interact with the locals

The locals love good banter and most of them in Rarotonga speak fluent English. The children like looking and sometimes pointing at tourists, as any child does. Teenagers act cool especially around other foreign teenagers, so they probably won’t talk to you (cause it’s SO COOL to be mysterious). Adults are a hit and miss and the elderly are awesome! If you get the opportunity to attend an “Island Night”, take it and you’ll most likely be pulled into dancing as part of the show. This is called the “ura piani” – an “around the world” dance where the locals invite tourists to show off their breakdancing skills. A great opportunity to stitch someone up to dance in public!

7. Attend church service & eat afterwards

I grew up attending both the CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) and the Catholic church in Arutanga, Aitutaki. Most church services ended with a light snack usually done so to commemorate an event. I never really remembered what these events were but what I do remember the snacks were actually feasts! Here, you have the opportunity to try out the different foods the islands have to offer. Just remember to bring some loose change as an “atinga” (donation) for the church.

8. Visit schools

Above is yours truly attempting…..something. I’m not sure actually but I remember multiple times when Japanese tourists visited our schools and shared some of their culture through art. Specifically, origami. I also remember a time some Europeans visited whilst I was at primary and showed us how to brush our teeth… I assume they were dental students. Usually, a school visit by foreigners is intended to build rapport and ends up being some form of donation or “give back” for the school. Bill Gates, feel free to come visit our schools in the Cook Islands.

9. Interact with the OTHER locals

Why are these locals white? Well, it’s because they are expatriates and the two shown above are part of the furniture at The Boat Shed Bar and Grill in Aitutaki. Regardless, surely we are way past judging people’s origins by their skin color. Some expats in Aitutaki have some crazy stories to share whether it’s about fishing, hunting, engineering, military service or sometimes straight nonsense; you may find some interest out of it if you’re writing a book.

10. Get roped into chores

“Roped” is slang for getting involuntarily involved in helping out. It’s so common for islanders living abroad to intend to come back home for a holiday, only to get told by family to go rake the rubbish, clean the taro patch, prepare some pigs, dig some holes, and so on…. It’s a humbling experience as it ensures I never forget where I came from. If you get the chance to “do as the Romans do”, jump in and get dirty, unless it’s totally not your thing; then run away!

11. Chat with the REAL locals

The alpha predators of Aitutaki, the Common Goat! In Aitutaki there are zero dogs, so the goats thrive and wreak havoc on my auntie’s plants! These goats are like the chickens, considered wild but not really. To find them isn’t too hard and I will leave it to you pay your flights to Aitutaki, so you can see these predators in action!

By Tom Harrison, 30 June 2024