Avarua (meaning "two harbours" in Māori) is a district and township in the north of the island of Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands. It serves as the capital of the country and is divided into 19 tapere (sub-districts). It is an important commercial and economic centre, with the country's main airport (Rarotonga International Airport) and harbour (Avatiu) here. The district had a population of 5,120 in the 2021 census.
Geography
Avarua district is the northern part of Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands, and one of the island's five districts. It is subdivided into 19 tapere (traditional sub-districts), and is the administrative capital of the country.
Avarua township or central Avarua is the main central business district of Rarotonga and the location of government offices. The township 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.
History
The Cook Islands were inhabited largely by indigenous Māori people till the late 19th century. Avarua was not the main centre of Rarotonga until missionaries of the London Missionary Society arrived in 1823 and set up their national headquarters there. Trading ships also based themselves there and from the middle of the 19th century it became the religious and commercial centre of the Cook Islands. The country became a British protectorate in 1888 and after the first British resident was appointed, Avarua became the administrative and educational centre of the islands.
Population
The 19 tapere are grouped into five census districts, as of 2021. The population of Avarua District was 5,120 in the 2021 census.
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Census district (west to east)
! Population (2021)
|-
| Nikao-Panama
| 1,489
|-
| Avatiu-Ruatonga-Atupa
| 975
|-
| Tutakimoa-Teotue
| 274
|-
| Takuvaine
| 629
|-
| Kiikii-Tupapa-Maraerenga
| 1,753
|-
| Total
| 5,120
|}
Transportation
Rarotonga International Airport in Avarua provides air links to New Zealand and Australia. 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. Public buses traverse the ring road, both in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Avatiu Port is the main commercial port; cruise ships anchor outside the harbour.
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.