Mauke

Mauke (Ma'uke also Akatokamanava) is an island of the Cook Islands archipelago, lying in the central-southern Pacific Ocean. Part of the Nga-pu-Toru, it is 277 km (172 mi) northeast of Rarotonga.

Mauke
Satellite Image of Mauke
Geography
LocationCentral-Southern Pacific Ocean
Coordinates20.1583°S 157.3417°W / -20.1583; -157.3417
ArchipelagoCook Islands
Area18.4 km2 (7.1 sq mi)
Administration
Demographics
Population297 (2016)[1]
Ethnic groupsPolynesian
Mauke
Location of Mauke in the Pacific Ocean

Geography

Mauke is a raised coral atoll, with a central volcanic plateau surrounded by a jagged fossilised coral makatea which extends up to one mile inland.[2] A narrow layer of swamps lies between the makatea and the plateau. The entire island is surrounded by a fringing reef, pierced by six passages, and sits atop an extinct volcano rising 4,500 m (14,800 ft) from the ocean floor.[3]

The volcanic soil in the island's center is relatively fertile, so it is called "The Garden of the Islands".[4] The makatea is honeycombed with caves, including the Vaitaongo Cave, Moti Cave and Motuanga Cave.[5]

History

According to oral tradition, Mauke was discovered by Uke, and the island was named "Ma'uke" - "the land of Uke" - after him.[3] Uke's descents then went on to settle Atiu. Another legend states a son of Ruatapu was murdered on Mauke, and in retaliation he killed many of the islands inhabitants.[3] The island was dominated by Atiu, who frequently raided it.[3]

The first European to discover Mauke was John Williams of the London Missionary Society, in 1823. He left behind a Polynesian preacher, Haavi, to introduce Christianity. The next European visitor was Captain Lord Byron of HMS Blonde in 1825, who named it "Parry Island" in honour of Sir William Edward Parry.[3] In the 1840's an Atiuian expedition attempted to raid the island again, but retreated after hearing that the Maukeans had been supplied with muskets by a European trader. In the 1860's Ngamaru Rongotini Ariki, ariki of Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro, married Makea Takau Ariki, a Rarotongan ariki. As a result, in 1871 Mauke became part of the Kingdom of Rarotonga.

In 1888 Mauke became a British protectorate as part of the Cook Islands Federation. In 1901 it was annexed by New Zealand.

In 1904, animosity between followers of the London Missionary Society and the newly introduced Roman Catholic church led to the formation of the village of Kimiangatau on Mauke's coast.[3]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1906 446—    
1916 490+9.9%
1926 511+4.3%
1936 652+27.6%
1951 836+28.2%
1961 785−6.1%
1966 671−14.5%
1976 710+5.8%
1986 692−2.5%
1996 652−5.8%
2001 470−27.9%
2006 391−16.8%
2011 307−21.5%
2016 297−3.3%
Source: [1]

Mauke has a population of 297 in 2016.[1] At the 2016 census one-third of the population was under 19 years of age, and 24% over 60.[6]

Nearly all villages are situated inland. Oiretumu is the principal one, while that near the commonly used western landing is Kimiangatau.[7]

The island is subdivided into four traditional districts.[8] Vaimutu and Makatea are not further subdivided and correspond to one tapere each. Ngatiarua and Areora districts are subdivided into 6 and 3 tapere, respectively, totalling 11 tapere for the whole island: [9][10]

  • Ngatiarua District (north, subdivided into 6 tapere)
  • Vaimutu District (east, corresponds to 1 tapere)
  • Areora District (south, subdivided into 3 tapere)
  • Makatea District (west, corresponds to 1 tapere)

Economy

Mauke's economy is primarily government-supported, with 61% of the labour force employed in the public sector.[6] Its primary export is maire, a plant which is used to make leis. There is little tourism, with only two budget accommodation providers on the island.[6]

Mauke is connected to the rest of the Cook Islands by Mauke Airport. The island's main harbour was damaged by cyclones in 2005. An upgrade began in 2011,[11] and was completed in 2013.[12]

Previously powered by diesel generators, since 2019 it has been powered by a 229 kW solar-diesel power station.[13]

References
  1. "Cook Islands 2016 Census Main Report" (PDF). Cook Islands Statistical Office. 2018. p. 46. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  2. B. L. Wood (1967). "Geology of the Cook Islands". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 10 (6): 1438-1439. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. Kloosterman, Alphons M. J. (1976). "Discoverers Of The Cook Islands And The Names They Gave". Cook Islands Library and Museum. p. 24-26. Retrieved 22 August 2020 – via NZETC.
  4. Derek Fox (1 April 2018). "Emotional 'homecoming'". Gisborne Herald. Retrieved 22 August 2020. The volcanic origin means that the soil is rich and this is justifiably called the garden of the islands.
  5. "Mauke". Cook Islands Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  6. "Island Profile: Mauke" (PDF). Ministry of Finance and Economic Management. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  7. Naval Intelligence Division: Pacific Islands. Volume II: Eastern Pacific, 1943, p. 545
  8. "Mauke: Garden of the Islands". Cook Islands. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  9. "The Island of Mauke Map". Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 9, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Upgrade begins on Mauke Harbour". Cook Islands News. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  12. "Mitiaro and Mauke celebrate revamped ports". Cook Islands News. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  13. "Mauke switches to solar energy". Cook Islands News. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
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