Avarua

Avarua is a district and town in the north of the island of Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands. It serves as the capital of the Island territory and is further sub-divided into 19 tapere. As per 2016 census, the district had a population of 4,096 individuals. It is an important commercial and economic center with the island's main airport and Avatiu harbour located here.

History

The town became a British protectorate in 1888 after sign-off from the indigenous Māori and became part of New Zealand in 1901. A Resident Commissioner governed until 1946, after which the Cook Islands began transitioning to self-governance. In 1965, the islands achieved self-governance and remained in free association with New Zealand with the external affairs and yearly grants controlled by New Zealand.

Administration

Avarua is one of the five districts of Rarotonga, the largest island and is the capital of the Cook Islands. The district of Avarua is subdivided into 19 tapere grouped into six census districts - Nikao-Panama, Avatiu-Ruatonga, Tutakimoa-Teotue, Takuvaine-Parekura, Tupapa-Maraerenga, and Pue-Matavera. As per 2016 census, the population of Avarua District was 4,906 inhabitants.

Census district	Tapere	Population
Nikao-Panama	Pokoinu, Nikao, Puapuautu	1,373
Avatiu-Ruatonga	Areanu, Kaikaveka, Atupa, Avatiu, Ruatonga	951
Tutakimoa-Teotue	Tutakimoa	314
Takuvaine-Parekura	Tauae, Takuvaine	786
Tupapa-Maraerenga	Ngatipa, Vaikai	531
Pue-Matavera	Tapae-I-Uta, Tapae, Pue, Punamaia, Kiikii, Tupapa	1490

Climate

Avarua has a tropical rainforest climate according to the Köppen climate classification with high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year. Although there are no true wet or dry seasons, there is a noticeably wetter stretch from December to April.

Economy

Being the capital, Avarua functions as an economic and commercial centre, with its economy driven by retail, tourism services, government administration, and financial services. The wider economy depends on tourism, supported by heritage and ecosystem services  Avarua hosts the Sir Geoffrey Henry National Culture Centre, which includes the National Library and the Cook Islands National Museum, and the Cook Islands Library & Museum.

Transportation

The Rarotonga International Airport lies in Avarua, providing air links to New Zealand and Australia. It is connected via Ara Tapu, a coastal ring road encircling the island, and the inner Ara Metua, built in the 11th century, skirting the interior. Public buses traverse the ring road, both in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Avatiu Harbour, near Avarua, serves as the main commercial port and cruise ships anchor offshore of the harbour.

Sister cities

On 7 June 2024, Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands and Tou Travel Ariki, President of the House of Ariki, signed a sister city agreement between Avarua, Rarotonga, and Honolulu, Hawaii.