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CULTURAL PRESERVATION

RECLAIMING PARADISE

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS

RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS

In Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands, taking a trip to an ancient mountain-top village supports protection of the site and its heritage. On your next island or beach getaway, seek meaningful ways to support cultural heritage sites.

What's
changing

Sustainable management is crucial for preserving cultural heritage sites, which face challenges from limited funding, environmental threats, needs for specialized restoration skills and cultural concerns.

What's already

possible

In Rarotonga, descendants of the Tinomana tribe excavated and opened a 600-year-old village site that was abandoned after the arrival of Christian missionaries in the early 1800s.

Seizing

the opportunity

Located 509 meters (1670 feet) above sea level in Maungaroa Valley, the village, now known as Highland Paradise, became overgrown after its inhabitants converted to Christianity and moved to the mission posts on the coast. The 83-hectare (200 acres) site was rediscovered by descendants of the original chief Tinomana. They cleared 10 hectares (25 acres) of the village site to create a space for living history tours where visitors learn about Cook Islander culture and traditions.

Standout

tactic

Highland Paradise hosts a sunset show and feast with dance, drum performances and traditional food.

How

it helps

A tour to Highland Paradise is an entertaining and educational activity that economically supports the preservation of the island’s cultural heritage.

Diving

deeper

In what ways can living history experiences engage visitors without oversimplifying or commercializing the cultural narratives they aim to preserve?

Increasing

impact

Attractions like Highland Paradise could offer hands-on workshops for visitors to learn traditional crafts, agricultural practices or rituals directly from the community, creating a deeper understanding of the culture and its complexities.

Traveling

better

Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.

At a time when
humanity has become
disconnected from nature,
there are still some places that can help you return

home.

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VIEW MORE: CULTURAL PRESERVATION

RECLAIMING PARADISE

PLAYING BALL WITH PRESERVATION

VISITING THE AMISH

REVIVING RURAL, RETRO ARCHITECTURE

UNLOCKING ENCHANTED PATHWAYS

WADING IN THE WISDOM OF WATER

RESTORING RESPECT AND ANCESTRAL MOUNTAINS

CULTURE AS A TIME MACHINE

SNAPPING ANCIENT SITES TO SAVE THEM

WEAVING TRADITION INTO SOUVENIRS

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