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 over water. Our Over-Water Night Show Production— the only one of its kind in the South Pacific — blends dynamic dance, powerful drums, fire, and storytelling under the stars. Dancers perform across fixed and floating stages in our lush waterfall garden lagoon, creating a visual and emotional experience that lingers long after the last 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.