It is believed by many Cook Islanders that the great Maori migrations to New Zealand began in Rarotonga as early as the fifth century A.D. They began at Ngatangiia which is on the Eastern side of the island where there is a passage in the reef at the widest part of Rarotonga’s lagoon.

Ocean going canoes have played a great part in the history of the Cook Islands and to this day have a huge cultural significance. The canoes were and still are used for fishing outside of the reef, though it wasn’t until 1984 that the first outrigger canoe was introduced in Rarotonga to be paddled for sport rather than for necessity. 20 years later, some of those paddlers are still heavily involved to this day and are thrilled to see youngsters, both male and female enjoying the sport as they do.

Since then, paddling in the Cook Islands has now become a common sight and outrigger canoes can be seen every evening in and out of the lagoon with local regattas between competing clubs held on Saturdays. With a population just over 7,000 there are 200 registered paddlers with many more paddling for fun and more joining the sport every week. In the last three years, the number of canoes has increased from 2 old wooden canoes to 15 six man and 20 one man canoes – some of which are made locally.

The sport continues to grow from strength to strength every year, and our paddlers have enjoyed successes both locally and overseas.  The annual Vaka Eiva canoe festival provides the opportunity for local paddlers to race against international paddlers in their homeland, and for the local community to experience first hand the excitement of outrigger canoe racing.