Cook Islands History : Cook Islands  

Cook Islands History - Travel guide

Cook Islands

History

The Cook Islands was first settled about 500AD by a migration of Polynesians that left from western French Polynesia. There are no written accounts of pre-Christian history, so most of what we know now comes through the words and actions of traditional dances and through examining the archaeological marae (spiritual meeting places) that lay in ruins around the islands.

In 1595, Pukapuka in the northern group was sighted by Alvarano de Mendana of Spain. There were no further sittings by Europeans until 1773, when Captain Cook, on his second Pacific voyage, sighted Manuae and named it Hervey's Island. In 1824, some time after Cook's death, the islands were named the Cook Islands in his honour. Following the explorers came the missionaries and blackbirders bringing with them Christianity and diseases. Within time the Maoris were clothed, their ancient religious beliefs abolished and traditions abandoned. Kava drinking was forbidden, and today is one of the few South Pacific Islands where it is still not consumed.

In 1888, the ariki (high chief) on Rarotonga pronounced the islands a British protectorate. For 14 years, the islands were administered from New Zealand but in 1901 the Cooks became annexed to New Zealand and the power of the ariki was removed. In 1965, the islands were declared independent in the form of internal self-governance in association with New Zealand. New Zealand still looks after foreign relations and defence and Cook Islanders remain New Zealand citizens.