Mitiaro


Mitiaro, the fourth island in the Cook Islands group, is of volcanic origin. Standing in water deep it is across at its widest point.

Geography

Mitiaro, also known as Nukuroa, is part of the Nga-Pu-Toru island group formerly, a volcano that became a coral atoll. The coral died forming fossilised coral.
The island is surrounded by a belt of this makatea, between high and characteristic of islands in the southern group. The centre of the island is almost flat, quite swampy and contains two freshwater lakes, Rotonui and Toto Iti. The lakes are teeming with eels, which the locals call itiki, and the imported tilapia from Africa where it is known as bream. Beaches are limited but there are crystal-clear pools ideal for swimming in the subterranean limestone caves and the beach at low tide abounds in interesting marine life.
The island has four villages, located close together on the western side, from north to south:
  1. Taurangi
  2. Atai
  3. Auta
  4. Mangarei
  5. Takaue
Mitiaro School is located in the principal village, Atai. Takaue is the second largest village. Mitiaro Airport is located at the northern end of the island. There are three churches: the Cook Islands Christian Church, the Catholic Church and the Assembly of God.
In May 2018 the island's diesel generator was replaced by a solar-photovoltaic system.

History

The native islanders had a pre-European history of harassment and subjugation by the warlike Atiuans, there were significant deaths in the population.
The island was discovered by missionary John Williams on 20 June 1823 who brought Christian beliefs and encouraged the settlers to leave their original faith. The estimated population at that time was less than 100 inhabitants.
During the 1840s the island was attacked again by Atiuans. On 31 October 1888 HMS Hyacinth commanded by Captain Bourke, hoisted the United Kingdom flag in the island. It was later merged to the Cook Islands until its annexation to New Zealand in 1901.