1605, 1738 COOK ISLANDS (Atiu) - Land of the birds

1605 Aerial view of Atiu Island

Posted on 24.05.2015, 13.07.2015
Atiu, also known as Enuamanu (meaning land of the birds), is an island 187 km northeast of Rarotonga, in the Southern Islands group of the Cook Islands. It is a raised volcanic island surrounded by a reef from which rise 6m high cliffs of fossilized coral (makatea), which forms a mile-wide ring round the island, creating a virtual plateau. Erosion at the innerside of the ring has formed dip of about 30m into fertile land, which gradually rises again to a central 70m high flat-topped hill. In common with most islands in the southern group, Atiu has only a small, shallow lagoon. Notched into the cliffs of makatea are over 28 beaches untouched and almost unvisited except by those seeking a beautiful, quiet, and secluded spot.

1738 A secluded cove on Atiu Island

In 2003, the population of Atiu was 571, in five villages radiating out from the island's centre, giving the appearance of a human figure. Atiuans trace their ancestry from Tangaroa, the principal god of Atiu and universally recognised in Polynesia as tutelary God of the Sea. The Atiuans were a fierce, warrior people and before the arrival of the missionaries busied themselves with making war on their neighbors on Mauke and Mitiaro, slaughtering and eating significant numbers of them. Atiu's area is about half that of Rarotonga. The low swampy land consists of taro plantations, marshes and a lake, Te Roto. This fertile area also grows bananas, citrus fruits, pawpaws, breadfruit and coconuts. Atiu has also a long history of growing coffee. The islands' ariki (high chiefs) controlled the land used for planting and received most of the returns.

1616 COOK ISLANDS (Atiu) - Ziona CICC Church

The first organised religion established on Atiu, in 1823, was that of the London Missionary Society. In later years, its name changed to Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) and is the largest religious denomination in this archipelago. Early missionaries and other visitors to Atiu commented on the prominence of Atiu's first church building, erected soon after embracing Christianity, which could be seen from the sea when approaching the island.

1493, 1579 COOK ISLANDS (Aitutaki) - The jewel of the Cook Islands

1493 Cook Island - Aerial view of Aitatuki

Posted on 22.03.2015, 14.05.2015
Aitutaki is one of the Cook Islands, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. Located north of the island of Rarotonga, the archipelago's main population centre, Aitutaki is an "almost atoll" with a maximum elevation of 123m (the hill Maunga Pu), and has a population of approximately 2,000. The barrier reef that forms its basis is roughly the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides of 12km. The southern edge is almost totally below the surface of the ocean, and the eastern side is composed of a string of small islands. The western side contains many of Aitutaki's important features, including a boat passage through the barrier reef allowing for anchorage close to shore at Arutanga. To the north is the bulk of the main island, with a fertile volcanic soil.

1579 Cook Island - One Foor Island (Tapuaetai) Aitatuki

Polynesians probably first settled Aitutaki around AD 900. The first known European contact was with Captain Bligh and the crew of the HMS Bounty when they discovered it on April 11, 1789, prior to the infamous mutiny. In 1942 New Zealand and American forces were stationed on the island, building the two-way airstrip that can be seen today. Aitutaki is famous for its turquoise central lagoon, uninhabited islands and palm-fringed beaches. Another advantage is that until now it has been spared by mass tourism. In 1972, Aitutaki established a separate postal service, and has issued its own stamps (mostly printed by Heraclio Fournier in Spain) since then. Tapuaetai (One Foot Island), a small islet in the south-east of the lagoon, is often said to be the most important attraction, and it is regarded as providing the visitor with the best views of the Aitutaki lagoon.

1525 COOK ISLANDS (Roratonga) - Te Rua Manga

With a population of 10,572, Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. Captain John Dibbs, master of the colonial brig Endeavour, is credited as the European discoverer on 25 August 1823, while transporting the missionary Rev. John Williams. The chief town, Avarua, on the north coast, is the capital of the Cook Islands. It is a very popular tourist destination with many resorts, hotels and motels. It is 32km in circumference, and is surrounded by a lagoon. The interior of the island is dominated by eroded volcanic peaks cloaked in dense vegetation.