 Aerial photo of Mitiaro | |
 Map of the Cook Islands | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Area | 22.25 km2 (8.59 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 18.1 km (11.25 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 10.9 m (35.8 ft) |
| Highest point | western makatea between Atai and Omutu |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 155 (2016) |
Mitiʻāro, the fourth island in theCook Islands group, is ofvolcanic origin. Standing in water 14,750 feet (4,500 m) deep it is four miles (6.4 km) across at its widest point.
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Mitiaro, also known as Nukuroa, is part of the Nga-Pu-Toru island group formerly, a volcano that became a coralatoll. The coral died forming fossilised coral (known locally asmakatea).[1]The island is surrounded by a belt of this makatea, between 20 and 40 feet (6.1 and 12.2 metres) high and characteristic of islands in the southern group. The centre of the island is almost flat, quiteswampy and contains two freshwater lakes,Rotonui (big lake) andToto Iti (small lake).[2]
The lakes are teeming witheels (Anguilla obscura),[3] which the locals call itiki[4] and who reach the lakes from the Ocean through underwater connections,[3] and the importedtilapia fromAfrica where it is known as bream. The island has around 18 km of coastline. Beaches are limited but there are subterranean limestone caves and the beach at low tide abounds in marine life.
The island has been designated anImportant Bird Area (IBA) byBirdLife International because it supports populations ofRimatara lorikeets andCook reed warblers. It is a non-breeding site forbristle-thighed curlews.[5]
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The island has four villages, located close together on the western side, from north to south:
Among the populated lifted coral islands of the southern Cook Islands, only Mitiaro is not subdivided into traditionaltapere.
Mitiaro School is located in the principal village, Atai. Takaue is the second largest village.Mitiaro Airport is located at the northern end of the island. There are three churches: the Cook Islands Christian Church, the Catholic Church and the Assembly of God.[2]
In May 2018 the island's diesel generator was replaced by aSolar Photovoltaic system.[6]
According to oral tradition, Mitiaro was settled fromAtiu, and was historically dominated by that island.[7] It was first discovered by Europeans whenJohn Williams of theLondon Missionary Society arrived in 1823. He left behind a Polynesian teacher,Taua, who began converting the islanders to Christianity. The estimated population at that time was less than 100 inhabitants.[7] During the 1840s the island was attacked again by Atiuans.
In 1888 Mitiaro became a British protectorate as part of theCook Islands Federation. In 1901 it was annexed byNew Zealand.[7]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 210 | — |
| 1916 | 237 | +12.9% |
| 1926 | 238 | +0.4% |
| 1936 | 265 | +11.3% |
| 1951 | 305 | +15.1% |
| 1961 | 307 | +0.7% |
| 1966 | 293 | −4.6% |
| 1976 | 305 | +4.1% |
| 1986 | 273 | −10.5% |
| 1996 | 319 | +16.8% |
| 2001 | 230 | −27.9% |
| 2006 | 219 | −4.8% |
| 2011 | 189 | −13.7% |
| 2016 | 155 | −18.0% |
| Source:[8] | ||
| Northern chain |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Southern chain - Nga-pu-Toru | ||
| Southern chain - other | ||
