Te Vara Nui Village is more than Rarotonga’s premier cultural attraction — it is a heartfelt tribute to our heritage, built to honour our beloved Mama Vara, a cultural icon and matriarch whose legacy lives on in every step, story, and song performed here.
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Muri Beach, our award-winning village offers an unforgettable journey into the rich traditions of the Cook Islands people. From ancient stories to contemporary performances, Te Vara Nui brings our living culture to life in a truly spectacular setting.
Your experience begins with our immersive Cultural Village Tour, where knowledgeable local Māori guides share ancestral knowledge, traditional customs, and personal stories — connecting past to present in an authentic, engaging way.
As the sun sets, the village transforms into a magical stage set over water.
We invite you to experience “The Legend of Tongaiti” — the world’s only Over-Water Theatrical Polynesian Production — a breathtaking cultural performance that captivates the senses.
Performed beneath the stars in a lush lagoon framed by cascading waterfalls, this unforgettable show blends dynamic choreography, live drumming, fire artistry, and ancestral storytelling.
Dancers move across both floating and fixed stages, creating a visual and emotional journey that lingers long after the final beat.
Complementing the performance is a sumptuous Island–Western fusion buffet, thoughtfully prepared by local and international chefs using fresh island ingredients — a true celebration of flavour and tradition.
Te Vara Nui Village is proudly family-built and locally run — a place created with deep love, cultural pride, and the spirit of kia orana (“may you live on”). We invite you to share in this legacy and leave with not just memories, but a piece of Rarotonga in your heart.
This is more than entertainment. It’s our story. Our soul. Our home.
The Heart of Te Vara Nui Village – The Living Legacy of Mama Vara
At the soul of Te Vara Nui Village is Mama Vara — a woman whose life continues to embody the rich cultural heritage of the Cook Islands. A respected elder, cultural icon, and humble matriarch, Mama Vara is not only the namesake of the village but also its living heart.
Born and raised in the Cook Islands during a time when life was defined by simplicity and deep connection to nature, Vara Cowan grew up climbing trees, tending animals, and swimming in the lagoons of Muri. Though she later dazzled audiences across New Zealand and the Pacific as a celebrated dancer and performer, her values never changed: humility, family, and service to her people.
Mama Vara’s cultural journey began in her youth, when she was drawn to the traditional dances of her homeland. What started as quiet movements in front of her bedroom mirror blossomed into a lifelong calling. She became one of the first Polynesian women to appear on national television in New Zealand and performed across the globe — sharing the power and beauty of Cook Islands, Māori, Tahitian, and Hawaiian dance with audiences far and wide.
But no matter how far her journey took her, her heart remained anchored in Rarotonga.
After raising seven children and contributing significantly to the growth of tourism in the Cook Islands, Mama Vara returned to the land that raised her. With grace and warmth, she welcomed visitors, shared meals, and helped weave the unique hospitality of the islands into every experience.
Te Vara Nui Village was founded in her honour — a vibrant tribute built by her youngest daughter Moana and son-in-law, who sought to carry forward the spirit and legacy of the woman who inspired it all. Yet Mama Vara was never just a symbolic figure. With her love for nature and a deep connection to the land, she worked side by side with them — planting, gardening, and shaping the lush tropical landscape that still surrounds the village.
What was once a wild swamp has grown into a sanctuary for culture and community. Mama Vara’s hands have nurtured every tree and blossom; her care is imprinted in the gardens, and her presence is felt in every corner.
Today, Te Vara Nui Village is more than a destination — it is a living expression of culture, story, and heart. It is a place where traditional performances light up the night, where visitors are welcomed as family, and where the legacy of Mama Vara continues to grow, evolve, and inspire.
To walk through Te Vara Nui is to feel the spirit of Mama Vara — a woman of strength, kindness, and unshakable love for her people, her island, and her culture.
The Story of the Visit of Tonga-iti to Rarotonga
(based on the 1896 English translation of the Cook Islands oral tale recorded by Manuiri and A. W. Browne)
1. Departure from Avaiki
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Tonga-iti, a voyager of chiefly rank, sails from the ancestral homeland of Avaiki with his wife Mai-ove (also known as Rangatira) and two attendants, Nu and Nana.
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Their canoe carries treasured offerings, drums, and adornments signifying status and readiness to found a new settlement.
2. Arrival at Rarotonga
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They land at Vai-kokopu in the district of Ngatangiia.
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The resident chiefs and warriors view them as strangers and potential invaders.
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Despite Tonga-iti’s courteous greetings, the locals insist they leave and refuse any offer of friendship or exchange.
3. The Gift of Dance
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Determined to win acceptance without bloodshed, Tonga-iti proposes that his daughter perform a dance before the high chief.
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The girl, adorned with flowers and shells, dances with extraordinary grace.
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Her movements and the accompanying chants captivate the crowd, turning suspicion into admiration.
4. Recognition and Feast
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The high chief, moved by the display of skill, beauty, and respect, invites Tonga-iti’s party to remain.
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A great feast is prepared: taro, breadfruit, and fish are shared as drums beat late into the night.
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Alliances are forged; gifts are exchanged; the visitors become honored guests rather than intruders.
5. Settlement and Legacy
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Land is granted to Tonga-iti’s family, and his lineage blends with the people of Rarotonga.
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From this union the clan known as the Tangata Enua—“people of the land”—traces its origin, symbolizing hospitality and the power of art, dance, and diplomacy over warfare.