Celebrating Ariki Day in Rarotonga: A Historic 60th Anniversary in Paradise.

Sarah Steiner

3 weeks ago

Living here in Rarotonga full-time as a family means we get to witness some pretty spectacular cultural moments. But every now and then, an event comes along that is so thick with Pacific pride that it leaves you completely awestruck.

Today was one of those days.

We had the absolute privilege of witnessing the celebrations for Te Rā o te Ui Ariki – Ariki Day, or the “Day of the Council of High Chiefs”. The Ui Ariki are the highest-ranking traditional chiefs in the Cook Islands, serving as cultural leaders alongside the church and government.

Te Rā o te Ui Ariki: Ariki Day 2026

While Ariki Day is an official public holiday every year, this year’s celebration was on a completely different scale. It marked the 60th Anniversary of the Are Ariki (the House of Ariki), celebrating six decades of customary leadership and national governance since its official establishment back in 1966.

This monumental anniversary celebration of the House of Ariki meant that not only leaders from the Cook Islands were celebrated but traditional leaders and dignitaries from around the Pacific came to Rarotonga for the week’s events.

Ui Ariki from the Cook Islands leaving the ceremony for **Te Rā o te Ui Ariki** (**Ariki Day**).

A Week of Double Celebrations: School Life & Māori Language Week

Because we live here with our boys, Harry and Oscar, we love seeing how these big national events weave their way into everyday community life.

This historic week beautifully coincided with Māori Language Week in the Cook Islands, which meant the schools were also full of cultural pride and energy.

Our boys go to Apii Nikao, and their school went all out with daily activities. One day was dedicated to Traditional Games, where the kids competed in traditional Cook Islands sports. On other days, each marae (class) was learning local arts, crafts, and traditional weaving.

The highlight of the school week though happened on Thursday with the Apii Nikao Singing Competition.

Each marae has spent weeks studying a specific island within the Cook Islands and learning a traditional song from that island:

Harry’s class represented the southern island of Mangaia called “Auau E”.
Oscar’s class stayed local, learning a beautiful song from Rarotonga around Te Rua o te Tonga.
My ECE (Early Childhood Education) students did amazingly learning a beautiful song from the island of Mauke called “Akatokamanava.”

It is exactly the kind of immersive island life we feel so lucky to give our boys.

Harry and his class mates getting ready for their performance on the stage at Apii Nikao Singing Competition.

Read all about ECE, Primary and Secondary Schools in Rarotonga.

What Happens During Ariki Week?

With Friday being a national public holiday, it was a shorter but packed week at school.

But there are other formal events for the Ui Ariki and guests on the island as part of the official celebrations:

The Commemoration: The House of Ariki held its Annual General Meeting at Parliament, where the Ariki gathered to discuss the future of traditional leadership and preservation.
Key Events: There are many events around the island with traditional welcomes, cultural performances, speech addresses, and traditional vaka (outrigger canoes and voyaging canoe Maramara Atua) in the Avarua Harbour.

Ui Ariki Day: Ra o te Ui Ariki

On Friday morning, we headed down to the main celebrations, at the National Auditorium in Avarua.

The Friday was a National Public Holiday for Ra o te Ui Ariki – Ariki Day (the Day of the Council of High Chiefs).

Inside the National Auditorium for the Ui Ariki Day Ceremony.

Welcoming Ariki and Traditional Leaders of the Pacific

First was the arrival of the guest dignitaries, leaders, and chiefs from across the Pacific – the Prince of Hawaii, the New Zealand Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai hono i te pō, and Ariki representing Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, PNG, the Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, and more.

Next was the formal arrival and traditional welcome for Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou Ariki, the President of the House of Ariki and the highest chief of the Cook Islands, the King’s Representative, Sir Tom Marsters, and the Deputy Prime Minister and government officials.

Then was the arrival and welcome of the remaining Cook Islands leaders.

There are 26 Ariki as part of the Are Ariki (House of Ariki) representing Rarotonga and the Southern and Northern Cook Islands.

They looked incredible. Each of them was wearing their distinct, traditional attire from their island. It is a very grand, ceremonial dress made from natural fibres, shell headpieces (ei Katu), and beautifully woven materials from each of the different islands.

The arrival of **Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou Ariki**, the President of the House of Ariki, the King’s Representative, Deputy Prime Minister and government officials.

Umu Kai & The Lesson of the Raurau

No major Pacific celebration is complete without food, and the event wrapped with an absolute mountain of Umu Kai traditional food.

The food is distributed to all the guests in traditional raurau (beautifully hand-woven leaf bowls).

In previous years, we’ve always been a bit shy and managed to miss out on parts of the feast. But this year, we were handed three raurau!

Gavin mentioned we didn’t need that much, but the Aunty organising smiled and reminded us that this is exactly what the day is about – taking abundance home to share it around. So that is exactly what we did! 🍱❤️

I suddenly found myself holding three massive, heavy *raurau* overflowing with the local food!

Our Advice for Visitors

If you ever find yourself planning a trip to Rarotonga, or if you are lucky enough to be living here on the island, keep a close eye on the calendar for late June or early July.

Experiencing Ariki Day – especially a major milestone anniversary like this one – is a rare and special experience to be part of. It is a side of the Cook Islands that goes so much deeper than the beautiful beaches and lagoons.

We are always grateful for the privilege of this life here in the Cook Islands and the beautiful community we get to be a part of. If you get the chance to witness it, grab it with both hands!

Meitaki ma’ata for reading, and we’ll see you out on the island! 🇨🇰✨