Three Interesting Facts about The Cook Islands

1. The Naming of the Cook Islands

Captain James Cook only landed on Palmerston in the Cook Islands and named the islands the Hervey Islands. The Cook Islands name was given by the Russian explorer and map-maker, Adam Johann Von Krusenstern who fan-boyed Cook. In recent years there has been debate about returning to an original name...something like Avaiki Nui but that didn't go ahead as tourism is 75% of GDP and most Cook Islanders agreed that it would be confusing for future travellers. 

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/420385/renewed-calls-for-the-cook-islands-to-take-on-indigenous-name 

While James Cook's explorations are impressive, the South Pacific has already been explored by its people much earlier using traditional navigation methods. Google It. 

2. The Height of Buildings Rules and Foreign Ownership Rules

Building height restrictions are based on the height of typical coconut trees over here. The tallest buildings are a few government and business 3-story ones in town. Foreign investment and ownership are strictly controlled here. That's why we have no Subway, KFC (Cookies crying) or McDonalds. All foreign investors (that's Kiwi's as well) purchase a land lease starting at 60 years and working backwards. The rest of the world could learn from the Cook Islands with this policy.  

Cook Islander George Iona, the world’s first-ever champion in the sport of coconut tree climbing demonstrated his winning style for CI News yesterday. Iona, who works for Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes, was a competitor in the inaugural world coconut tree-climbing championship, held in the gardens of the Tahiti Museum earlier this week. Iona also known as “Captain White Chocolate”, scaled the eight-metre (26.25 feet) tree in 5.62 seconds at the event.

3. Special Cook Islands Currency

While the Cook Islands uses the NZ dollar, it does have its own currency, including the unusual triangle $2 coin and dodecagon $5 coin. Keep an eye out for a special $3 note of a barechested woman riding a shark. This banknote depicts the legend of Ina and the Shark. It's worth keeping if you find one :-)

Ina and the Shark 
The currency in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). We also issue our own banknotes and coinage, including the unusual $3 notes and triangular $2 coins that are accepted everywhere in the Cook Islands. Top tip: If you are left with Cook Islands currency, exchange it before departing to your next destination, or you can always use it on your next visit when you return to Muri Retreat :-)

Posted by Simon Drewery on July 15, 2024

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