Pukapuka

Pukapuka

Aerial view of Pukapuka Atoll
Geography
Location	Central-Southern Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	10°54′00″S 165°49′00″W / 10.90000°S 165.81667°W / -10.90000; -165.81667
Archipelago	Cook Islands
Area	3 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Administration
Cook Islands
Demographics
Population	507 (2006)
Ethnic groups	Polynesian

Pukapuka is a coral atoll in the northern group of the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is the one of most remote island of the Cook Islands, situated about 1,140 kilometres (708 miles) northwest of Rarotonga. On this small island an ancient culture and distinct language has been maintained over many centuries. The traditional name for the atoll was Te Ulu-o-Te-Watu ('the head of the stone'), and the northern islet where the people normally reside is affectionately known as Wale (Home). The modern name of Pukapuka usually said to derive from the puka tree (Hernandia nymphaeifolia); however, Puka-Puka itself also means 'land of little hills'.

Pukapuka is shaped like a three bladed fan. There are three islets on the roughly triangular reef, with a total land area of approximately 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi). Motu Kō, the biggest island is to the southeast; Motu Kotawa (Frigate Bird Island) is to the southwest; and the main island Wale is to the north. Ko and Motu Kotawa are uninhabited and are used for growing food. Pukapuka Airport (ICAO airport code: NCPK) is on Kō.

The three villages are located on the crescent-shaped bay of the northernmost islet of the atoll: Yātō (Leeward), Loto (Central) and Ngake (East). Loto (Roto on most maps) is host to Island Administration. The traditional names for these villages are Takanumi, Kotipolo and Te Lāngaikula. In daily life, the islanders frequently call them Tiapani (Japan), Malike or Amelika (United States) and Ōlani (Holland) respectively. Especially in sports competitions between the villages, the villagers use the names and flags of these countries.

Although the island features a well-maintained airstrip, flights from Rarotonga are very infrequent. The five-hour flight from Rarotonga via Air Rarotonga now operates when there is a Government charter once every six weeks or so. The island is closer to Samoa than to the rest of the Cook Islands and transport via Samoa is becoming a preferred option for Pukapukans visiting in organised groups (tele parties) from New Zealand and Australia.

The submerged Tima Reef is situated 23 km southeast of Pukapuka. About 60 km away is Nassau (Cook Islands) which is owned by the people of Pukapuka and considered part of it administratively. Since the 1950s it has been governed by the Council of Chiefs of Pukapuka. The Nassau Island Committee advises the Pukapuka Island Committee on matters relating to its own island.