Avarua
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Avarua (meaning "Two Harbours" in Māori) is a district and town in the north of the island of Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands.Template:Efn It serves as the capital of the Island territory and is further sub-divided into 19 tapere (sub-districts). 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 (Rarotonga International 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Administration
Avarua is one of the five districts of Rarotonga, the largest island and is the capital of the Cook Islands.<ref name="Pop">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The district of Avarua is subdivided into 19 tapere (traditional sub-districts) grouped into six census districts (listed from west to east)– Nikao-Panama, Avatiu-Ruatonga, Tutakimoa-Teotue, Takuvaine-Parekura, Tupapa-Maraerenga, and Pue-Matavera.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As per 2016 census, the population of Avarua District was 4,906 inhabitants.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
| Census district | Tapere | Population (2016)<ref name="Pop"/> |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Af) 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.<ref name="Climate">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The wider economy depends on tourism, supported by heritage and ecosystem services <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Avarua hosts the Sir Geoffrey Henry National Culture Centre, which includes the National Library (Runanga Puka) and the Cook Islands National Museum, and the Cook Islands Library & Museum.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Transportation
The Rarotonga International Airport lies in Avarua, providing air links to New Zealand and Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Public buses traverse the ring road, both in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Avatiu Harbour, near Avarua, serves as the main commercial port and cruise ships anchor offshore of the harbour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Notes
References
External links
Template:Cook Islands Template:List of Oceanian capitals by region