Cook Islands manuscripts
Before the courts and the historians, Cook Islanders wrote their own histories: the traditions of their families, their genealogies, the boundaries of their land. These are the manuscripts the books rest on, printed whole.
On this page
Walter Gudgeon’s manuscripts and genealogies
Cook Islands Māori genealogies, pages 281 to 299
The genealogies of the Rarotongan chiefly families written out by Gudgeon as Resident Commissioner, with his notes: the genealogy of Arera mua, the line from Rata to Uenuku and Tinomana, the note that Puta-ki-te-tai was the son of Tangi‘ia and Mokoroa, and the note that Makea Nui is not of the senior line.
Journal of my residence in the South Seas
The journal of his years as British Resident and Resident Commissioner, photographed spreads, 35 pages; the passage on the ariki and the land is at page 21.
The London Mission: its policy and peculiarities
Fifteen pages. Pages 8 to 10 record the agreement of the six mata‘iapo at Ārai-te-Tonga, Te Kaa a nga Ariki ma nga Mata‘iapo, and the making of the Makea Nui title. Relied on in the Makea Nui Ariki title documents, 2026.
The Makea family, 1908
Tangi‘ia “the man and ariki who was supreme over the land”; Karika made a tutara and then an ariki poutokotoko of Ārai-te-tonga; Karika’s departure for Iva and death; Vakapora on the name Puta-ki-te-tai. Cited throughout Volume 1, Chapter 5.
The Makea genealogy from Karika, three sheets
The genealogy of the Makea title from Karika Tara‘ape, with the descent of Teora-o-Vakaatini and Gudgeon’s note on the Takaia line.
“Makea Karika Ariki”: a manuscript page numbered 173
A single handwritten page giving a genealogy of the Makea Karika line in three columns with a note in Cook Islands Māori beside it; partly illegible, its reading not settled.
Memorandum on the claim of Makea to the Avatiu lands, 16 July 1908
Makea’s power after 1823 “due to the invitation to return by Pa and Kainuku who gave them jurisdiction over the land”; printed in the first edition at page 78.
The memorandum as printed in the Harvey report (PDF) · The Harvey report, 1945, the parts held (PDF)
Stephen Savage’s manuscript collection
An account of the “heathen plays” performed by the Atiu, Mangaia and Rarotonga people at a festival
Page 1 and the end not found; some pages renumbered.
An Ancient History of Tangiia, 1907
Cited in Volume 1, Chapter 5.
By Raea, a descendant of Rupe, Rarotonga, 22 September 1908; with Vakaatini’s statement and the list of the Arera lands in this oire
Four pages with insertions in red ink, and a separate typed sheet with red-ink and pencil corrections listing the Arera lands.
E korero no te ui mataiapo tutara ma to ratou ariki i rungao ia ratou
On the mata‘iapo tutara of Takitumu and their two ariki, Pa Te Ariki Upokotini and Motoro Te Ariki Tinomana.
E tuatua akamarama anga: Tangi‘ia, Karika and the right to Rarotonga
An argument, in the first person, that Rarotonga was Tangi‘ia’s by right, that Karika was Tangi‘ia’s adopted son, and that Tangi‘ia elected Pa Te Ariki Upokotini, Motoro and Karika at Ārai-te-tonga.
E Tuatua Taito: Tuatua no Tangi‘ia Ariki
An account of Tangi‘ia-nui and his line in eight pae, 56 printed pages, preface dated Rarotonga, 1 June 1907, transcribed from 31 photographs of the Archives’ copy in three parts.
Part 1, printed pages 2–21 (PDF, 42 pages) · Part 2, pages 22–27, the cover, title page and preface, and pages 42–49 (PDF, 37 pages) · Part 3, pages 28–41 and 50–56 (PDF, 44 pages)
The History of Arera Ariki from ancient date concerning his descent; with the Māori text, Te tuatua ia Arera Ariki mei po mai
Page 2 of the English ends with the opening of the list of Arera lands “in this oire”.
The English manuscript, transcribed (PDF, 5 pages) · The Māori manuscript, transcribed (PDF, 3 pages)
The history of Nukuroa (Mitiaro): the beginning of Nukuroa; Te au o Vaikaa; the ship from Maiao; how Atiu conquered Mitiaro
Ko te korero teia no te kau-taunga ta Tangi‘ia-nui i akamou
The account of the priesthood Tangi‘ia-nui established.
Ko te papa tupuna teia ia Vaikai te Amaru; the pe‘e of Vaeruarangi Ariki of Aitutaki; and two Land Court papers of the Savage family
The genealogy of Vaikai-te-amaru from Amaru Ariki to Petero and Nuka-o-te-rangi; the pe‘e of Vaeruarangi Ariki; Ada Pari-a-Katea Savage’s application of 13 March 1912; a receipt of 22 June 1928.
Ko tetai korero tei e aru i te korero no te kau-taunga: More and Maoate-Atua
The continuation of the kau-taunga text: the line of the More taunga from Makanakura to 1899, with the story of More-uri, Takaia and Tamariki at Avaavaroa, the killing of Tamariki, Kainuku made tutara over the mata‘iapo of Avarua-roa, and the chart of the More ending with Tamuera Terei.
The Makea Story, c. 1908: a Tupapa mata‘iapo’s account
The six mata‘iapo of Tupapa, Pini struck out and Tinirau written above it three times, the knot that could be untied, “Makea Nui” a name coined at the ceremony, and “the real Karikas live up there” at Takuvaine; with the microfilm copy collated line by line against the editor’s transcript. Relied on in the Makea Nui Ariki title documents, 2026.
Pages 19–21 with a transcription, the crossings-out shown (PDF) · The manuscript whole, thirty pages, from the microfilm (PDF) · The collation (PDF, 53 pages)
Mitiaro, History
The naming of Nukuroa, the dispute of Uke, Tekutikuti-rau-matangi and Mariri, and a genealogy of 46 generations from Mariri to Kea te tupua, holder of the Rongo-ma-tane ariki title of Atiu.
Stephen Savage to his son Walter, Rarotonga, 13 August 1924
Savage gives Walter his Rarotongan descent from Makea-Karika-te-pa-atua-kino through Kao, Tu-Taunga, Tuku-au Arera, Rangi, Rao-ariki-o-Arera and Pare-a-Katea, Savage’s wife; the Arera line from Makea-Tama-puretu to Tuku-au-o-Arera; and Savage’s own Māori descent from Muri-wai, Toi-te-Huatahi and Ngatoro-i-rangi.
Tinomana Ariki of Arorangi: the list of holders of the title from 1823 to 1934, the akapapa from Tangi‘ia-nui, and the references to the Cook Islands Gazette
Prepared for the Native Land Court’s appointment of Tinomana John Pirangi on 15 November 1934 or soon after.
Other manuscripts
E akatara teia na Tamarua-nui-Tairi-i-te-rangi
Each verse closes with the refrain to Tairi, the toa rongonui of Tangi‘ia-nui.
E tako ariki teia na te iki ariki, angaanga na te Kautaunga; with the pe‘e Tamatoa Ariki, Teurukura Ariki and Manarangi Ariki ki Avarua
The tako ariki is two pages; each pe‘e is one page.
Kia mate tetai Ariki: Report on the succession of Arikis, 5 November 1895
Two copies in the Archives; one is headed “Vide page 27 of Parliamentary Papers A.3 / 1896”. Relied on in the Makea Nui Ariki title documents, 2026.
Ko Tangi‘ia nui ariki i mate i Rarotonga nei
The death of Tangi‘ia-nui and his passing among the gods; page 1 and the last page survive, each in two copies, signed “Na More-Taunga, koia a Tamuera Terei”.
Maui-tikitiki-a-Taranga: the taunga text, pages 18 to 30
The continuation of the seventeen pages in the Volume Two archive, Chapter 21; the text breaks off at the foot of page 30.
Parakoti’s book: the genealogy of Kivao Tarakina, the Kainuku line
A Pre-European History of Rarotonga
A history of Rarotonga before the Europeans came, written down in 1954 by John Numa, who was himself an applicant before the Native Appellate Court. Cited throughout Volumes 1 and 2.
Ru Te Tokorangi; Te Rui Nga Matareka; Tukaitaua and Tutavake: three Aitutaki legends
The third legend breaks off at the foot of the page.
Tinomana Tangiiau’s book, 16 July 1853: the senior Tinomana line, with the Kapu Rangatira exhibit of 1950
The Uriarau manuscript book
A family manuscript of traditions and genealogy, credited to the family that kept it, received in six parts and reproduced complete and in order; the fax copies are dark and partly illegible, reproduced as facsimiles and to be transcribed against the Māori original. The English rendering is two typed translations of pages of the book, faxed in May 2004 and kept in the Archives; Ross Holmes did not make them.
The facsimile, part 1, scans 1–78, with the index (PDF, 80 pages) · The facsimile, part 2, scans 79–156 (PDF, 79 pages) · “Uriarau story”: the English rendering of parts of the book (PDF, 18 pages)
The Vaike Ruariki applications and the evidence written for them
His genealogy from Arera Ukarau through Teiva Toa and Katu, given for Ikurangi section 131 on 12 January 1943, and the Tamaiva title on 13 January 1943, Rarotonga Minute Book 15, pages 117 to 124; and his Arera genealogy of 29 April 1937, Rarotonga Minute Book 12, page 183 and the exhibits glued after it.
Rarotonga MB 15, pp. 117–124, January 1943 (PDF) · The pages on the Land Court page · Minute Book 12, 1937, on the Land Court page
LDS manuscripts
Film 1084921: Collection of books and articles on Aitutaki, genealogies and history of the Cook Islands; Stephen Savage, main author
- Tuatua no Aitutaki
- History of Aitutaki
- Tuatapapaanga enua no Aitutaki
- Descendants of Atea (two items)
- Descendants of Maine-Marae-Rua
- Makea Takaia (Mei Rarotonga Mai)
- Descendants of Meau
- E Ngauru E, E Torea (Ko Ngauru, E Tangata Vaiau)
- Genealogy of Rongo-Tapai-Kura
- Te Paitu Vaine A. Ru
- Descendants of Ruatapu and Ua
- Tai-Teatai-Nui O Iva, his wife Upokoara and their descendants
- E Ara Teia No Tauria
- Te Autara ia Ui
Film 1084922: London Missionary Society, Aitutaki: records 1886–1945
- Baptisms 1886–1926; births 1916–1945; marriages and deaths 1866–1945, for Arutanga, Amuri, Reureu, Nikaupara, Vaipae and Tautu
Film 1084923: Letters and papers, items 1 to 17
- Arekorero (folklore and a war chant)
- Arekorero: Ko te arekorero o te Pa Enua Kuki Airani (a genealogical history of the settlers of Mua Vananga)
- Cook Islands history (letters about ancient gods, with genealogical information)
- The Cook Islands trouble (letter by Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon, late Resident Commissioner)
- Sundry genealogies and akapapa (letters)
- Short history of the Land Court Division (letters)
- The History of Iro Ariki, a famous ancestor of the Maori (letters)
- Mauke (letters containing historical materials on several of the Cook Islands)
- Rakahanga (letters)
- Rarotonga traditional notes (letters)
- Ko te ara Teia ia Rata (letters)
- Samuela Te Rei, E Tuatua no Mauitikitiki-a-Taranga (letters)
- E Buka Tuatua Enua (letters)
- The genealogy of Ruatapu (letters)
- Te Tuatua no Tutarangi (letters)
- John Williams (letters)
- Polynesian voyagers and their canoes (letters)
Film 1084924: Numbered papers 5 to 17
- No. 5, Sundry genealogies and akapapa
- No. 6, Short history of the Land Court Division
- No. 7, Native Land Court, Cook Islands: History of Iro Ariki
- No. 8, History of Mauke, covering other islands of the group
- No. 9, History of Rakahanga, covering other islands
- Nos. 10–15, Rarotonga traditional notes
- Nos. 16–17, John Williams
Film 1084925: Family books and genealogies
- Descendants of Eliakima
- Book in possession of Ben Ellis (items 2–7)
- Native Land Court, Manihiki: land dispute concerning Manihiki, with genealogies (items 8–13)
- History and genealogies (items 14–17, 19–20, 22–24)
- Genealogies and traditions (items 18, 21, 25)
Film 1084926: Rarotonga manuscripts, items 1 to 42
- Native Land Court, Rakahanga and Manihiki: minutes of land meetings, vols 1–8, 1930s (items 1–8)
- E Arekorero no Rarotonga
- The Arikis for east Avarua; the Arikis for west Avarua
- Genealogy of Atipapa
- E Tuatua Taito no te tapatapa o Tu-Tamaeva no itikau
- Genealogies of Kainuku
- A note concerning Kapo
- E korero no te kau taunga o Rarotonga
- Ko tetai korero tei aru i te korero no Te Kau Taunga
- Letter concerning Keu Porakau, written by Terei
- Koutu(s) and Marae(s); Notes on Koutu(s) and Marae(s)
- The genealogy from Makanakura to Samuel
- The Makea family
- Tera nga ingoa o Makea
- The succession to the title of Makea Ariki
- No te Taputapuatea marae o Makea i Avarua
- Loose papers concerning the genealogy of Makea
- The genealogy of Makea Te-Pa-Atuakino
- E tuatapapa tupuna no Makea
- Te ngati Makea
- Genealogy of Manava
- Maretu’s writings
- E Tuatua no te Mataiti; E Tuatua no Miringa, 1875
- The genealogy from Moetuma to Samuel Terei
- The genealogy of Morea Metua
- Motoro, te Tama a Tangiia Nui
- Regarding the sons of Naia Ariki
- The genealogy of Ngati Katu
- Page from a book written by Pa Maretu
- The genealogy of Pa Upokotaka Ariki, written by Ngatamariki
- The genealogy of Pa Puretu and Tangiia Ariki, by Charles Tau Puru Cowan
- History concerning Pa Ariki
- The genealogy of Paiaro
- The genealogy of Pakari (Pakiri)
Film 1084927: Rarotonga manuscripts, items 1 to 40
- Family genealogy, book written by Parakoti
- The genealogy of Piavaka
- Priests and maraes
- The genealogy of Puta
- Notes on Rarotonga
- Rarotonga history and genealogies written by Te Aia Orometua (Ngatangiia)
- Rarotonga history and genealogies compiled by Stephen Savage
- E au Vananga Taito no Rarotonga e teia pa enua nei
- Rarotonga genealogies
- Manuscripts of Samuel Terei concerning the descendants of Terei, the son of Tangiia Nui and Moetuma
- Ancestors of Samuela Terei
- Descendants of Terei o Tangiia
- Te taeanga mai o te Evangelia ki Rarotonga nei
- Te Kapuanga o te tuatua a te atua ki te enua ko Tumu te varovaro
- History and descendants of Tangiiau
- History concerning Tangi Taura
- History and genealogy of Te-Tika Mataiapo, by Uka; the genealogy of Te-Tika; letters concerning Te-Tika written by Uka
- Ko tetai tuatua rai ia Tinomana Temutu
- Genealogy of Tinomana (two items); loose papers concerning the genealogy of Tinomana
- Descendants of Tokao a Utiuti
- The genealogy of Tuirarotonga
- O te tala i te alii o Tufulemataafa ma tana usuga
- The descendants of Tai Nuku te Anga Nuku
- Descendants of Tamakaro
- The family genealogy book of Tamarua Nui (of Pouara); abstract from Tamarua’s book concerning the descendants of Vaere; descendants of Tamarua
- Te au peu i taoiia mai e Tangiia nei Avaiki mai
- E tuatua ui tupuna no Tangiia mata vai
- History of Tangiia Ariki
- Ancient history of Tangiia, by Stephen Savage and Tamuera Terei
- Ko te korero no te Matenga Tangiia Nui
- The descendants of Tangiiau te Pamanu
- Descendants of Tukaiiamanu
- Descendants of Ua
- Descendants of Uenuku
Film 1084928: Uriarau, Uritaua, Vaikai and Vakatini
- Translation from Savage’s book written by Apera Uriarau
- Genealogy from Uriarau’s book
- Genealogy of Uriarau
- History of Uritaua
- Letter stating Rangi a Uriia is a member of the Uritaua clan
- E tuatua tupuna no Vaikai te Amaru Ariki
- Descendants of Vaikai Matua
- Letter concerning Vakapora written by Samuela Terei
- An extract from Vakatini’s memo
- Papatupuna o Ngati Vakatini
Film 1084929: Family records, histories and genealogies, items 1 to 12
- Births, deaths, marriages and family record of Ngorio Makea, 1869–1917, with the will of Ngatoio son of Makea, 6 July 1868, and the will of Tinomana, 22 May 1868 (items 1–3)
- History and genealogies, 1876–1906: New Zealand history and genealogies, the Atiu census, Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro, Mangaia, Penrhyn and Pukapuka history, and Stephen Savage’s ancestry (items 4–5)
- Native Land Court, Atiu and Mauke: E tuatua teia no te tamakianga a Atiu ia Mauke (item 6)
- Regarding Parua and lands: the genealogy of the Ngamaru Ariki family, with E tuatapapaanga no te ui tupuna (items 7–9)
- E tuapapaanga no te tua o te ui tupuna, 1905–1938, recorded by Samuela Mana from the dictation of the elders of Mauke (items 10–12)
Film 1084930: Maretu, Mitiaro, Palmerston and the Savage genealogies
- Maretu’s life in Mangaia
- The origin of Mitiaro
- High Court census, 1926, Palmerston
- Genealogies
- Genealogies by Stephen Savage
- Stephen Savage’s New Zealand Māori and Cook Islands Māori ancestry
Film 1084920 (Auckland University reel 1845): Genealogies compiled from the Native Land Court minute books by Jock MacCauley
- Rarotonga, vol. 1, 1903–1945, 364 pp; vol. 2, 1945–1948; vol. 3, 1948–1952; vol. 4, 1952–1970
- Aitutaki, vol. 1, 1902–1939; vol. 2, 1939–1947
- (Reel 1846, Atiu 1919–1971, Mauke 1922–1974, Penrhyn 1929–1974, and the Determination of Relative Interests and Successions, Rarotonga 1903–1974)
Film 1084918 (Auckland University reel 1843): Registration Book of Ariki’s, Pukapuka, 1915
- One volume, 28 pages, indexed
Film 448141: Miscellaneous historical and genealogical articles: extracts from the Journal of the Polynesian Society, vols 1 to 69
- Extracts from the Journal, vols 1–69
Film 795720, item 5: A history of Penrhyn (Tongareva) Island in the Hervey (Cook) Islands of the South Pacific, 1727–1856
- The history, one item
Film 795837: Oral genealogy interviews, 1973, by Maggie Takai: the genealogies of Rakahanga
- Genealogies of Hikutahu, Taumutu, Tiopoto and his wives Takihei, Vaiaiti and Haumata Roa, Motire Matua, Niroa, Terahiti, Kokiro, Tetua Haua Matua, Tiokavou, Tetua Makua, Tetua Takaki Roa, Mairau, Tuteru Matua, Atea of Mangarongaro, Tiata Tekea and Tetua Nitika Raukamutu, with an explanation of the tribes and sub-tribes of Rakahanga, and a letter of Thelma Anderson to Maggie Takai on the genealogy of George Bicknell Greig, 14 July 1973
Film 795859, item 6: Oral genealogy interview, 1 December 1975, at Blackrock, Rarotonga, by Joseph Moosman for the Genealogical Society of Utah
- Typed transcript in Rarotongan: the genealogies of Makea, Tamaiva, Vakatini and Makea-Peaurongo of Rarotonga
Film 795886: Oral genealogy interviews, 1974 to 1977, thirty-nine items
- Akaiti Ponga (1975–76); Tangaroa Elia, b. 1912; Tai Mokoroa a Kumikumi, b. 1902; Mose Taie a Tuaivi; Joseph Simiona, b. 1908; Tengaru Paoo, b. 1905; Vaine-ka-tu Turuta, b. 1914; Varu Raui, b. 1905; Mahuta Pahe Maheata, b. 1915; Ngapoe Taraani, b. 1919; Apainuku Paiti, b. 1915; Kapo Te, b. 1900; Rereamate Tangimetua; Kavan Maarona, b. 1892; Ngatupuna Matepi, b. 1909; Tangatakino Tangimokopuna George, b. 1944; Jonassen Teinhardt Godfrey, b. 1938; Auai-te-tangata Kata, b. 1900; Tangimai Kitea; Mataiera Rupe Aarona, b. 1893; Tereva Tereva; Tamaeu-o-te-rangi; Tiki Tetava; Maeva Taputu; Teariki Maeva; Maki-Vavia Pia-Nui; Tuakana-Ngaro; Puia Moetaua; Vaine Te Okoitu; Tangata Davida a Samuela; Teao Ngatokorua; Te Ina; Rairi Aiturau; Vaine Noo Mamao; Vaine Tutai; Teau Ariki Turaki; Jane Tararo Ariki (1976); Tangi Purea; the Marsters family genealogy, Cook Islands Archives, Rarotonga
Film 795910, item 9: Manihiki and Rakahanga genealogies
- One item
Film 795960: Oral genealogy interviews, 1973 to 1975
- Mareta Ria; Fairoa Faireka; Rahi Toka, b. 1923; Rangi Ngamata Vaine Moe (1973, 1975); Tangatapoto Vainerere, b. 1912; Tuakere Vaine Moeroa (1973–74); Viggo Tutere, b. 1921 (21 October 1973); Vaeruarangi Unuka, b. 1911 (1973–74); Ngamaru Tereokirua, b. 1918
Film 973152: Puka akapapa and oral genealogies, seventeen items
- Puka akapapa Ariki Marii, 1929; Puka akapapa Ta Tuava Tuava Ta, 1933; oral genealogies of Tauarii Piri, Pakura, Mana Samuel Ariki, Matunga Paerangi, Takaio Murare and Moetaua Boaza; Puka akapapa Willie Tou Ariki, 1905 (transcript of the Polynesian genealogy book of Willie Tou Ariki of Mitiaro); Puka akapapa Paitai Painuku, 1915; oral genealogy of Charmaine Framhein, 1975; whakapapa and history of Tunui Tereu Tunui, b. 1919; oral genealogy of Ada Matio; Puka akapapa Aere Au Ua; oral genealogy of Matepi Ngatupuna, b. 1909, 1975; Puka akapapa Taungarau T. Maeva; Puka akapapa Boaza Takai, 1898
Film 1085052: Land titles, 1800–1900: the chiefly titles of Rarotonga, volume 1
- Mata‘iapo title of Makirau; rangatira titles of Kapu, Tuna, Io, Timu, Tuki, Te Pou, Anga, Autaua, Pupu, Pephia, Matoi, Uritaua-ki-uta, Koropuaka, Kivao, Te Pua, Te Pini, Pakiri, Porotito, More Rua, Pa Puia, Taarua, Tinorua, Tungu, Ara and Tapetukura; mata‘iapo titles of Te Au, Vaimotu, Kaitua, Enua Tamanu, Taoro, Te Aonui of Atiu, Kiriparu, Kaena, Kaimarama, Koro, Taupuruariki, Tamakeu, Uri, Neinei and Nia-ki-tai; the ta‘unga title of Takaia; the ariki title of Maui
Film 1085053: Land titles, 1800–1900: the chiefly titles, volume 2
- Ariki titles of Parua, Tiatava, Nooroa, Ngamaru, Kakeu, Rarua, Vaeruarangi, Rongomatane and Te Whakaheo; mata‘iapo titles of Apai Tutara, Ati, Maoate, Taupiri, Te Auparetoa, Te Tauira, Kairoa, Maunuatua, Rae, Te-ukui-nga-ki-tapu, Te Auakamaru, Te Rangi and Te Eiao; the title of Mokare
Film 1085054: Land titles, 1800–1900: the chiefly titles, volume 3
- Ariki title of Te Whaingaitu; the rangatira title of Uriarau; the mata‘iapo title of Teariki Taraare; the ariki title of Manarangi, Aitutaki; Te Reinga rangatira; Kainuku Ariki; the Te Ora rangatira title
Film 1126509, items 2 to 7: Rarotonga family genealogy books of Tamarua-nui and Kainuku
- Family genealogy book Tamarua-nui 1 and 2; family genealogy books Kainuku 1 and 2; two further family genealogy books
Film 1126510: Collection of genealogies, legends and histories: Charlie Tau-Puru-Ariki Cowan
- The Cowan collection (Family History Library catalogue, full display 8 May 1998)
Film 1126511: Genealogies: some of Dad’s cases, Te Pa Atuakino’s real mother and father; the Arera Ukarau Katu i te Rangi genealogy; the Tongareva case for the Poko Ingram family
- Pages 1–2 and following, as the catalogue lists them
Film 1085630: Family genealogies, Te Au o Tonga, Rarotonga
- Catalogue entry marked “check this” in the inventory
Film 1358001 to 1358009: The Cole-Jensen collection: oral genealogies and genealogical information collected from the Polynesian peoples, by Wm. A. Cole and Elwin W. Jensen
- Binders 1 to 51 covering Hawaii, New Zealand Māori, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga; the Cook Islands material is in Binder 24 (film 1358004)
Film 1650450: Miscellaneous files of the Cook Islands administration
- List of church marriage officers 1915–1979; late applications for registration of births, marriages and deaths; Fruit Advisory Committee file 1937–1957; election of European members to the Island Council 1953–1956; election of Oneroa, Mangaia, members 1899–1901; inquiry into a public road; sundry sheets of succession orders
Film 1650451 and 16504511: Cook Islands Gazette, 1899–1985 (printed)
- The Gazette, the whole run
Film 1650452: Labourers, successions and genealogies
- Lists of labourers from the Cook Islands to the Makatea mines 1943–1956; Aitutaki land successions; Kauraka Kauraka genealogy 1989; the akapapa‘anga of Turepu, 1946; the Mills family genealogy; the Mataroa family genealogy
Research Library / Journal of the Polynesian Society
The Journal of the Polynesian Society: the Rarotongan articles
The articles, by date and volume
- Nicholas, H. (trans.) and Smith, S. Percy (ed.), Genealogies and historical notes from Rarotonga, Part I: the Genealogy of Pa, chieftainess of Tākitumu, (1892) 1 JPS 20–29 — whole
- Nicholas and Smith, Part II: the Royal Genealogy from Avaiki downwards (the Makea genealogy), (1892) 1 JPS 65–75 — whole
- Te-aia, Genealogies and historical notes from Rarotonga, Part III, (1893) 2 JPS 271–279 — whole
- Te Aia Te Pou, Te Ara nui o Toi, Notes and Queries, (1894) 3 JPS 110 — to be added
- Stair, J. B., Flotsam and jetsam from the great ocean, (1895) 4 JPS 99–131 — to be added
- Manuiri (trans. A. H. Browne), The story of the visit of Tonga-iti to Rarotonga, (1896) 5 JPS 142–144 — to be added
- Kiva and Putua-ariki (trans. A. H. Browne), An account of some early ancestors of Rarotonga, (1897) 6 JPS 1–10 — whole
- Fraser, J., The origin of the Rarotongans, (1897) 6 JPS 72–73 — to be added
- Smith, S. Percy, Hawaiki: the whence of the Māori, (1898) 7 JPS 137–177, 185–223; (1899) 8 JPS 1–48 — to be added
- Te Ariki-tara-are (trans. S. Percy Smith), Traditions of Rarotonga, (1899) 8 JPS 61–88, 171–178 — to be added
- Ella, S., The war of Tonga and Samoa and origin of the name Malietoa, (1899) 8 JPS 231–234 — whole
- Gudgeon, W. E., The whence of the Māori, (1903) 12 JPS 51–61, 120–130, 166–179 — to be added
- Tama, Iseraela, and Large, J. T., Te autara ia Iro, (1903) 12 JPS 133–146 — to be added
- Smith, S. Percy, Arai-te-tonga, the ancient marae at Rarotonga, (1903) 12 JPS 218–220 — to be added
- Savage, Stephen, Note on the origin of names of Rarotongan ariki, (1909) 18 JPS 217–218 — to be added
- More-taunga-o-te-tini (trans. S. Savage), The Rarotongan version of the story of Rata, (1910) 19 JPS 142–168 — to be added
- Savage, Stephen, The period of Rata, (1910) 19 JPS 195–197 — whole
- Savage, Stephen, Toarua, Vakapora, Itio, Ta‘unga, Maretu: Extracts from Dr Wyatt Gill’s papers, genealogies and traditions, (1911) 20 JPS 139–143, 155–157, 165–166, 201–223 — to be added
- E tuatua teia no te taua a te Ruru ma te Aa (Gill’s papers, No. 19), (1912) 21 JPS 39–64 — to be added
- Te Rei, Tamuera, and Savage, Stephen, The period of Iro-nui-ma-oata and Tangiia-nui-ariki, Part I, (1916) 25 JPS 138–149 — whole
- Te Rei and Savage, Parts II and III, (1917) 26 JPS 1–18 — whole; (1917) 26 JPS 45–65 — to be added
- Te Ariki-tara-are, History and traditions of Rarotonga, Parts IV to VII, (1919) 28 JPS 55–78, 134–151, 183–208 — to be added; Parts IV, VI, VII, X, XI and XIX as a PDF, Māori and English
- Te Ariki-tara-are, Parts VIII to XII, (1920) 29 JPS 1–19, 45–69, 107–127 — to be added
- Te Ariki-tara-are, Part XIX, (1921) 30 JPS 129–141 — to be added
- Graham, Geo., Te Ngutu-Au, (1922) 31 JPS 53–56 — to be added
- Best, Elsdon, The discovery and settlement of Rarotonga by Polynesians, (1927) 36 JPS 122–134 — whole
- In copyright, cited and linked only: Stokes, J. F. G., An evaluation of early genealogies used for Polynesian history, (1930) 39 JPS 1–42; Fletcher, H. J., A review of the Toi-kai-rakau genealogies, (1930) 39 JPS 315–321; Kelly, L. G., Cook Island origin of the Māori, (1955) 64 JPS 181–196; Sissons, J., The seasonality of power: the Rarotongan legend of Tangiia, (1989) 98 JPS 331–348; Campbell, M., Ritual landscape in late pre-contact Rarotonga, (2002) 111 JPS 147–170.
Research Library / Appendices to the Journals of the House
Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives: the Cook Islands papers
The papers held
AJHR 1896 A-3, Report No. 19, F. J. Moss to the Governor, 18 November 1895, with Enclosure No. 1: Report on the Succession of Arikis, 5 November 1895 (p. 27)
Report on the Succession of Arikis: the Mode of Election and of Installation, adopted by the Ariki Council of Rarotonga on 5 November 1895 and agreed by the elected House on 15 November 1895; the Council’s own statement of the custom: election and installation by the kōpū ariki and the mata‘iapo. Cited in Volume 2, Chapters 28 to 31, and relied on in the Makea Nui applications of 2026 (record G).
How they are recorded
Each manuscript is given whole, page by page, with a picture of the original page beside the transcription wherever the holder allows it. Where it is in Cook Islands Māori, the English translation stands beside it, never in its place.
Every tradition is credited to the family that told it. That was Ron Crocombe’s rule for this series, because every family’s story supports that family’s claims, and the reader is entitled to know whose story it is.
Do you hold a manuscript?
Many families keep a book of their papa‘anga, their genealogy, or of their traditions. If yours does and you would like it preserved, we will transcribe it with you, and publish it only with your family’s permission and in the form you choose.