General
Flora & Fauna
Geography
Food
People & Events
100
How many traffic lights will you encounter while driving on the island of Rarotonga?
Exactly zero! Though you may have to look out for the occasional
stray rooster in the middle of the road.
100
What is the fragrant national flower of the Cook Islands, known as Tiare maori?
a. Frangipani b. Hibiscus c. Gardenia d. Tuberose
Gardenia
This plant is deeply woven into Cook Islands culture and poetry
100
If you want to do a lap around the main island of Rarotonga, roughly how long does it take?
About 45 minutes. There is only one main road going all the way around, making it pretty hard to get lost.
100
What colour is the potato salad (Mainaise) that is iconically Cook Islander fare?
1. white 2. yellow 3. pink 4. green
pink
The vibrant hue comes from the addition of beetroot (or Beetroot juice) mixed into the potatoes, which are then tossed with mayonnaise, mixed vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs.
100
Which famous explorer are the islands named after?
Captain James Cook
200
What is the traditional greeting used by the local people in the Cook Islands?
a. Aloha b. Kia Orana c. Talofa d. Bula
Kia Orana
200
The highly endangered Kakerori was brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. To which bird family does it belong?
a. Monarch Flycatcher b. Kingfisher c. Fruit Dove d. Starling
Monarch Flycatcher - it is a small, insect-eating bird strictly endemic to the cloud forests of Rarotonga
200
How many islands and atolls make up the Cook Islands?
a. 10 b. 15 c. 20 d. 25
15
200
Which of these fruits is considered the most abundant on the islands? They grow year round and can be found growing in massive quantities in plantations or wild in the backyard.
a. pineapples b. pawpaws c. mangoes d. breadfruit
Paw Paws
200
How many times did Captain Cook actually visit the Cook Islands?
Zero! He mapped the region and the Russians later named them after him, but he never actually set foot on the actual Cook Islands!
300
Which type of valuable item are the Cook Islands most renowned for?
a. Gold b. Black pearls c. Diamonds d. Opals
Black Pearls
300
Surrounded by thousands of kilometres of ocean, the Cook Islands have very few native land animals. What is the only mammal considered native to the islands?
a. Polynesian rat b. Pacific fruit bat c. Wild boar d. Short-tailed bat
Pacific fruit bat also known as the flying fox is the the only native terrestrial mammal in the Cook Islands.
300
What is the capital of the Cook Islands?
a. Avarua b. Muri c. Nikao d. Arorangi
Avarua
300
What is the quintessential Cook Islands fish dish called?
a. Ika Mata b. Ia Ota c. Oka d. Ota Ika
Ika Mata
300
The Cook Islands are famous for their traditional hip-shaking dance, the URA. How do locals proudly rank their dance speed compared to the rest of the South Pacific?
a. first b. second c third d. fourth
They claim to have the 2nd fastest hula/ura, second only to Tahiti!
400
What is the famous cultural and legal mandate that dictates the maximum height of buildings in Rarotonga?
a. Must be at least 2 storeys high to save space b. No taller than the tallest palm tree c. Not exceed 15m in height d. Commercial buildings can be up to 10 storeys high
It cannot be taller
than the tallest palm tree!
400
The Islands of Atiu is famously nicknamed Enua Manu, which literally translates to "Island of the Birds". What is the local name for the Atiu Swiftlet, a small bird that nests in limestone caves?
a. Kopeka b. Tanga'eo c. Kakerori d. Kuriri
Kopeka - it uses echolocation to navigate through the dark makatea limestone caves of the island.
400
How many stars are in the ring of stars on the Cook Islands flag?
15
One for each of the 15 islands that make up the nations. 
400
What is the name of the traditional dessert made with banana, arrowroot and coconut milk?
a. Pani Popo b. Kulolo c. Poke d. Purini
Poke
400
When did the Cook Islands officially become a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand?
a. 4th August 1965 b. 1st July 1971 c. 12th Sept 1980 d. 5th May 1993
4th August 1965
500
Cook Islanders use the New Zealand dollar as currency, however if you are lucky you might find a rare Cook Island dollar in your change which is what shape?
a. round b. square c. triangle d. octagon
Triangular
500
The Cook Islands are renowned for their stunning blue, shallow lagoons and marine life. Which of these famous, large terrestrial crustaceans is often found foraging on land at night?
a. hermit crab b. coconut crab c. Blue swimmer crab d. Mud crab
Coconut crab
500
What is the name of the iconic, needle-shaped volcanic peak that dominates the centre of Rarotonga?
a. Mount Otemanu b. Mauga Silisili c. Matafao Peak d. Te Manga
Te Manga - reaching 652 metres above sea level it rises directly out of the dense tropical forests of the island.
500
What is the most frequently used ingredient in Cook Islands cuisine and also in the refreshing drink called 'Nu'?
a. pineapple b. mango c. paw paw d. coconut
Coconuts
500
What is the Vaka Eiva festival internationally renowned for?
a. Competitive traditional dance b. run, walk or cycle 31 km coastal loop c. fire dancing d. outrigger canoe racing
Vaka Eiva is an internationally renowned outrigger canoe (vaka) festival. Paddlers and spectators from all over the Pacific gather in Rarotonga for intense lagoon racing and cultural
festivities.