History of the Cook Islands facts for kids

Pa te Pou Ariki, a chief from the Takitumu tribe in Rarotonga (around 1837)

The Cook Islands are a group of islands in the South Pacific. They are named after Captain James Cook, a British explorer who visited them in 1773 and 1777. However, a Spanish explorer named Alvaro de Mendaña was the first European to see the islands in 1595.

In 1890, the Cook Islands became connected to the United Kingdom. This happened because British people living there were worried that France might take over the islands, just as they had done with Tahiti. By 1900, the islands officially became British territory. Then, in 1901, they became part of New Zealand.

There are 15 islands in the Cook Islands group, spread out over a huge area. Most of the islands in the Northern Group are flat coral islands called atolls. Rarotonga, a volcanic island in the Southern Group, is the biggest island and where the government is located. The main language spoken is Rarotongan Māori, but there are slightly different ways of speaking it on the other islands.

Early Settlers of the Cook Islands
First European Visitors
Becoming a British Protectorate
Recent History of the Cook Islands
Timeline of Key Events
Images for kids
See also

Early Settlers of the Cook Islands

People first settled the Cook Islands between 900 and 1200 CE. It is believed these early settlers came from Tahiti, an island to the northeast. The Cook Islands and Tahiti still share strong connections in their culture, traditions, and language.

Many stories say that the first settlers were Tahitians who landed in the Takitumu district of Rarotonga. There are famous tales of brave warriors who traveled between these two nations. The reasons for these journeys are not fully clear. However, new research suggests that groups often left their home islands because of local wars. To travel and survive, these groups usually needed a strong warrior to lead them. These amazing warriors are still remembered in the islands' traditions and stories today.

Evidence of these early arrivals includes an old road in Toi, called the Ara Metua. This road goes around most of Rarotonga and is thought to be at least 1200 years old. This 29-kilometer (18-mile) paved road is an impressive example of ancient engineering. It might even be the best example of its kind in all of Polynesia.

The islands of Manihiki and Rakahanga have stories of their beginnings linked to Toa Nui, a warrior from Rarotonga, and Tepaeru, an important woman from Rarotonga. Tongareva was settled by an ancestor from Rakahanga named Mahuta, and a chief from Aitutaki named Taruia. Some people from Tahiti might have also settled there. The rest of the northern islands, like Pukapuka, were probably settled by groups from Samoa.

First European Visitors

Spanish ships visited the Cook Islands in the 1500s. The first written record of Europeans meeting the islanders was when Spanish sailor Álvaro de Mendaña saw Pukapuka in 1595. He called it San Bernardo. A Portuguese-Spanish explorer, Pedro Fernández de Quirós, was the first European to actually land on the islands. He stepped onto Rakahanga in 1606 and called it Gente Hermosa (Beautiful People).

British explorer Captain James Cook arrived in 1773 and 1777. Cook first named the islands the 'Hervey Islands' to honor a British Lord. About 50 years later, a Russian admiral named Adam Johann von Krusenstern published a map book. In it, he renamed the islands the Cook Islands to honor Captain Cook. Captain Cook explored and mapped much of the island group. Surprisingly, he never saw the largest island, Rarotonga. The only island he personally landed on was the tiny, uninhabited Palmerston Atoll.

The first recorded landing by other Europeans was in 1814 by a ship called the Cumberland. There was fighting between the sailors and the islanders, and many people on both sides were killed.

No more Europeans visited the islands until missionaries arrived from England in 1821. Christianity quickly became a major part of the culture and is still the main religion today.

In 1823, Captain John Dibbs of the ship Endeavour was the first to officially see the island of Rarotonga. The Endeavour was carrying Reverend John Williams on a trip to spread Christianity to the islands.

In 1862 and 1863, Peruvian slave traders caused terrible harm to the islands of the Northern Group. At first, these traders might have genuinely recruited workers. However, they soon started using tricks and outright kidnapping to capture people. The Cook Islands were not the only place these traders visited. But it is thought that three-quarters of the population of Penrhyn Atoll were taken to Callao, Peru. Rakahanga and Pukapuka also lost many people.

Becoming a British Protectorate

The Cook Islands became a British protectorate in 1888. This happened mainly because people living there were afraid that France might take over, as they had done with Tahiti. On September 6, 1900, the main island leaders asked for the islands to become British territory. On October 8–9, 1900, chiefs and people from Rarotonga and other islands signed agreements to give their lands to Britain. Britain then announced that the islands were now part of the British Empire.

These agreements did not include Aitutaki. Even though the people of Aitutaki considered themselves British, Britain formally took over the island on October 9, 1900. In 1901, the Cook Islands were officially included within the borders of the Colony of New Zealand. This meant the Cook Islands have had a formal relationship with New Zealand ever since.

Recent History of the Cook Islands

In 1962, New Zealand asked the Cook Islands government to choose their future. They could become fully independent, self-governing, join New Zealand, or join a larger Polynesian group. The Cook Islands chose to become self-governing.

After elections in 1965, the Cook Islands became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. This meant the Cook Islands were politically independent, but still officially under New Zealand's authority. The United Nations approved this change. Even with this new status, the islands still relied on New Zealand for money. New Zealand believed that if the free association agreement failed, the islands would join New Zealand rather than become fully independent.

New Zealand is responsible for the Cook Islands' foreign relations and defense. The Cook Islands, Niue, and New Zealand (along with its territories like Tokelau) form the Realm of New Zealand.

After gaining self-rule in 1965, the Cook Islands elected Albert Henry as their first Prime Minister. He was the leader until 1978, when he was accused of cheating in elections. Tom Davis then became Prime Minister.

On June 11, 1980, the United States signed a treaty with the Cook Islands. This treaty set the sea border between the Cook Islands and American Samoa. It also meant the US gave up its claim to the islands of Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Manihiki, and Rakahanga. In 1990, the Cook Islands signed a treaty with France. This agreement set the sea border between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

On June 13, 2008, a small group of leaders from the House of Ariki tried to take control of the government. They said they were removing the elected leaders. Chief Makea Vakatini Joseph Ariki explained that they were "dissolving the leadership." The Cook Islands Herald newspaper suggested that the ariki (traditional chiefs) were trying to get back some of their old power or mana. Prime Minister Jim Marurai called the attempt "ill-founded and nonsensical." By June 23, things seemed to return to normal, and the House of Ariki members agreed to go back to their usual duties.

Timeline of Key Events

900-1200 CE — The first people arrive in the Cook Islands.
1595 — Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira is the first European to see the islands.
1606 — Portuguese-Spanish explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós is the first European to land on the islands, stepping onto Rakahanga.
1773 — Captain James Cook explores the islands. He names them the Hervey Islands. Later, they are renamed the Cook Islands in his honor.
1821 — English and Tahitian missionaries arrive in Aitutaki. They are the first non-Polynesian settlers.
1823 — English missionary John Williams lands in Rarotonga. He converts Makea Pori Ariki to Christianity.
1858 — The Cook Islands become united as a state, called the Kingdom of Rarotonga.
1862 — Peruvian slave traders cause great harm to the islands of Penrhyn, Rakahanga, and Pukapuka.
1888 — The Cook Islands are declared a British protectorate. A single federal parliament is created.
1900 — The Cook Islands become British territory, except for Aitutaki, which Britain also takes over.
1901 — The Cook Islands are included within the borders of the Colony of New Zealand.
1946 — A Legislative Council is created, giving the territory direct representation for the first time since 1912.
1957 — The Legislative Council is reorganized as the Legislative Assembly.
1965 — The Cook Islands become a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. Albert Henry is elected as the first prime minister.
1974 — Albert Henry is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
1979 — Sir Albert Henry is found guilty of election fraud. He loses his position as prime minister and his knighthood. Tom Davis becomes Premier.
1980 — The Cook Islands – United States Maritime Boundary Treaty sets the border between the Cook Islands and American Samoa.
1981 — The Constitution is changed. The Legislative Assembly is renamed Parliament. Its number of seats grows from 22 to 24, and the term is extended from four to five years. Tom Davis is knighted.
1985 — The Rarotonga Treaty is signed in the Cook Islands. This creates a nuclear-free zone in the South Pacific.
1990 — The Cook Islands – France Maritime Delimitation Agreement sets the border between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.
1997 — Full diplomatic relations are started with the People's Republic of China.
1997 — In November, Cyclone Martin hits Manihiki. It kills at least six people and damages 80% of buildings. The black pearl industry suffers big losses.
2000 — Full diplomatic relations are started with France.
2008 — Pacific Island nations put in place new rules to stop too much fishing.

Images for kids

Rarotonga Island Council (1923–1925)
The Kingdom of Rarotonga flag (1888–1893)
Ngamaru Rongotini Ariki, Mrs Seddon, Makea Takau Ariki, Mr Seddon (1900)
Queen Makea's Palace & Makea's Summer Cottage (1908)
Pa Maretu Ariki, Makea Takau Ariki, Charles H. Mills, Tinomana Mereana Ariki (1903)
Prince Ngamaru, the Ariki of Atiu (1885)
Makea Karika Tavake Ariki and elders of the Karika tribe, Rarotonga (1888–1910)
Makea Pori Ariki, Chief of Te-au-o-Tonga, Rarotonga (1837)