Manihiki

Map of Manihiki Atoll

Manihiki is an island in the Cook Islands known as the Island of Pearls. It is a triangular atoll 1160 km north of Rarotonga, and is said to be one of the group’s loveliest islands. Polynesians are believed to have lived on Manihiki since at least 900 or 1000 AD as Kupe who was the first to have explored Aotea Roa came from Manihiki also known as Whakahotu Nui,or Niiwa Nui, His canoe was named by the ancient name of Tukao Village known as Te Matawhorua,On his returned from Aotea Roa he renamed the Marae in the Village of Tukao ( Te Matawhorua )Te Puna Ruki o Toi Tu Rahui Te Rautea as Te Hono O Kupe Ki Aotea, shortened as Te Marae Hono although it was not discovered by Europeans until 13 October 1822, when it was sighted by the U.S. ship Good Hope and named Humphrey Island. The island was claimed by the US at that time and that claim was ceded in 1980.

Villages

There are two villages. the larger village is Tauhunu which is on the Islet of Tauhunu on the western rim of the atoll. The second village, Tukao and also known in the olden days as Te Matawhorua , is at the northern tip of Ngake or Te Paeroa Islet, which is on the northern tip of the atoll. The island politically controlled by the Island Councils and a Mayor elected every three years by the people

In February 2009, the mayor of Manihiki, Kora Kora, stated that the world economic crisis had driven up the price of essential goods to such an extent that it was provoking significant emigration to New Zealand and Australia. He said that the population of Manihiki at that stage was just 280.^[1]

Manihiki sits atop an underwater mountain rising 4000 m above the ocean floor. Its stunning 10 km-wide lagoon is laced with 43 tiny motu (islets), which are strung along the reef. The reef provides excellent swimming and snorkelling, with colourful tropical fish to view.

Diving is a major attraction, and the offshore diving is among the region's best (visitors can freely dive unless scuppa diving gears are used then you get a permitt from the administration office either from the Island Secretary or Mayor and Dupity Mayor). There is good fishing in the open waters beyond the reef, including catches of Yellow-fin Tuna (bonito).Flying fish etc

The island is renowned for its black pearls and there are pearl farms dotted around the lagoon. The largest farm maintains some 250,000 oysters for pearl production. Tours can be arranged to the farms to learn about the cultivation process, and to watch the seeding of oyster shells for future pearl harvest. Tauhunu, on the western coast, is known for its pearl carvers and the Whare Ariki – which was built in 1980's which still standing after Cyclone Martin, which struck the island in November 1997. Flying time to the island is about four hours, and there is a weekly flight every Thursday from Rarotonga.

The Manihiki- Rakahanga and English language is spoken on the island.

External links

• Manihiki, information and pictures
• 40 islets mapped and listed by name

References

v • d • e Cook Islands Northern Manihiki · Nassau · Penrhyn · Pukapuka · Rakahanga · Suwarrow · Tema Reef Southern - Nga-pu-Toru Atiu · Mauke · Mitiaro Southern - other Aitutaki · Mangaia · Manuae · Palmerston · Rarotonga · Takutea  · Winslow Reef

Coordinates: 10°24′S 161°00′W / 10.4°S 161°W / -10.4; -161

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