Ra o te Ui Ariki (Cook Islands)

Ra o te Ui Ariki is a public holiday in the Cook Islands, and it is observed on the first Friday in July each year.

The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. People inhabited the islands about 1000 years ago, and the first European contact happened in 1595. In 1890, the Cook Islands became aligned with the United Kingdom and became part of British dominion in 1900. The United Kingdom made the islands part of the colony of New Zealand one year after.

In 1965, the islands became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. In the same year, the House of Ariki, a parliamentary body, was suggested and built in 1967. The House of Ariki comprises 24 Cook Islands high chiefs (Ariki). As a result, Ra o te Ui Ariki can be translated as "Day of the high chief council".

The council does not have real legislative powers and plays an advisory role to the parliament.

The following is the Ra o te Ui Ariki list in the Cook Islands from 2022 to 2026.

Please check more public holidays in the Cook Islands: