World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
There are restaurants in hotels, and a variety of independent eating places as well, as a result of the increasing tourist trade. Local produce includes a wide variety of citrus and tropical fruits, island chestnuts and garden vegetables. Seafood features on many restaurant menus and so does coconut as the coconut palms produce an abundant supply of fruit all year round. Local meat and poultry are available. At larger resorts you can try the traditional Polynesian feast known as the ‘Umukai’, which involves baking food in an underground oven and is usually accompanied with traditional entertainment by local people.

Nightlife
Island feast and dance groups feature at various hotels and details are available from local tourist information offices or hotel receptionists.

Shopping
Best buys are woodcarvings, pearls, shell craft, woven products, pottery, hats and baskets made out of coconut fibre. Coins and stamps are considered to be valuable collectors’ items. Another popular buy is a brightly coloured, all-purpose wrap-around cloth garment worn by both men and women called a Pareu, and ideal for casual wear in the hot climate. Island Craft (website: www.islandcraft.com) has factories in Avarua where hand-carved items can be purchased. The art of carving may be observed in Punanganui Market Place. There is also a wide range of duty-free items. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0800-1200. Some stores near tourist areas remain open for longer.

Special Events
The following is a selection of special events occurring in the Cook Islands in 2005; for a complete list, contact the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (see Contact Addresses):
Feb Cultural Festival Week. Mar-Jun Rugby Football Union. Apr Cooks Islands Dance Festival Week; Rarotonga Tin-Man Triathlon. May World Day Athletics; Athletics Vaka Challenge. Jun Cross Country Run; Olympic Day Fun Run. Jul National Cross Country Championship; Song Quest. Jul-Aug Constitution Celebrations (with float parade, sporting events and inter-island competitions); Te Maeva Celebrations (national celebrations including Tangi Kaara (drumming) competitions). Sep Westpac Bank Half Marathon. Oct Westpac Bank Round Rarotonga Road Race; Cook Islands Squash Tournament; Gospel Day (open-air performances of biblical stories, commemorating the arrival of Christianity on the islands). Oct-Nov Cook Islands Tivaevae Exhibition (local quilting). Nov Tiare Festival Week (flower and floral competitions). Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Celebrations.

Social Conventions
Dress code is informal, though modest attire should be worn when visiting towns or villages. Women are expected to wear dresses for church services and social functions. Tipping: Tradition says that all gifts require something in return and tipping is therefore not practised.