Land in the Cook Islands is sacred and passed through the generations. It cannot be sold.
Manatu is situated on a larger land section known as Totokoitu, a unique area that stretches from the sea all the way to the mountainous interior of Rarotonga. Historically, this fertile land was used to cultivate traditional crops such as taro, coconut, and maniota, with some of the original coconut trees still standing proudly today.
For 60 years, the land was leased to the government and transformed into an agricultural research plantation, where exotic varieties of fruits and vegetables were grown and studied. In more recent times, Totokoitu has been returned to shared family stewardship and is now used for a mix of residential and small-scale commercial purposes.
The Kainuku Ariki has a rich and complex history on Rarotonga. As with many oral traditions, stories about the Ariki vary depending on who you speak with, often evoking a wide range of reactions.
The name Kainuku derives from the words for “food” (kai) and “body” (nuku), and in local island interpretation, it is sometimes translated as “body eaters”—a term that has been historically equated with the Western concept of cannibalism. While this translation reflects one interpretation, it’s important to view it within the broader context of oral history and cultural symbolism.
The Kainuku Ariki is one of the island’s oldest royal bloodlines, with ancestral ties to the districts of Avana, Muri, and Ngatangiia. The tribe shares deep familial links with the Pa Ariki, and for centuries the two chiefly lines have collaborated in matters of leadership, land, and community.
The shark, symbolizing strength and guardianship, represents the Kainuku Ariki. Known historically as fierce defenders of land and land rights, they have played a key role in shaping the island’s governance and identity. Today, only a small number of individuals bearing the Kainuku name remain on Rarotonga, preserving the legacy of this noble lineage.
The original landowners - The Kainuku Ariki
