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Atiu has become a favorite tourist haunt owing to its stunning natural beauty and if you are planning for a vacation here then, you should know the facts about Atiu to facilitate your trip. The island of Atiu is mostly flat with wild and rugged coastline and enchanting cove beaches. The facts about Atiu will give you a comprehensive idea about the island and its origin so that you can have a great time here. You can be assured of the fact that your vacation in Atiu is going to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

The island of Atiu was discovered a number of centuries ago by the Polynesian navigators. If one goes by the legend then the first settlers were the direct descendants from Gods. The legend goes that one named Mariri arrived in the island in 1300 when he found it full of insects. As a result Mariri went back home and later came back with his wife and 2 birds which helped him to get rid of the insects. After a while they had 2 sons named Atiu-mua which means Atiu the fist born and Atiu-mua which means the last born. Since the island is also known as the Bird Island, it is probable that anyone of the 2 brothers must have called the island 'Enua-manu' or the bird island.

Many visitors went to the Atiu island to conquer the land or to wage war and had left their traces as a testimony of the fact. The 19th of July, 1823 was a date of prime importance as John Williams had come to Atiu on that day and it is celebrated as 'Atiu Gospel Day' from since then. To commemorate the first preaching from Bible 2 plaques and a stalactite were erected which can be still seen today! Atiu lies at a distance of about 187 kilometers towards the north-east of Rarotonga. It is a part of the Southern group of islands of the Cook Island archipelago. In the year 1891 Cook Island became a New Zealand colony ad though the country was declared as a self-governing body in the year 1965 but still Cook Islanders remain the citizens of New Zealand.

The central hills is the place where the residents of Atiu live but they are spread across 5 villages which radiate out from the center of the island thereby giving the impression of a human figure. If you are thinking of a travel to Atiu then make it a point to visit any of them. The 5 villages are:

• Mapumai Village
• Tengatangi Village
• Teenui Village
• Areora Village
• Ngatiarua Village