The first Premier of the Cook Islands, the late Albert Henry was responsible for establishing the National Archives in 1974. The Archives was a division within the Premier’s Department at the time. Initially, the Takitumu Hostel at Takamoa had been the Archives temporary location. The Archives Research Officer Tom Tixier administered the Archives, assisted by George Paniani. In August 1975, the Archives moved to one end of the Library and Museum Society building. In April 1987, the National Archives under the control of Archivist George Paniani was moved to the Seismological Observatory at Takuvaine Valley which is its present location. Kauraka Kauraka joined the Archives in 1988 as Principal Archivist and remained there until he was transferred to the Anthropology Division in 1990. In that same year, the National Archives went under the umbrella of the Ministry of Cultural Development – Tauranga Vananga.

FAQ’s

What’s an Archivist?” An Archivist manage and maintain documents and other materials that have historical importance for individuals and organizations. Archivist also acquire with the care, custody, control and administration of the public records in the Archives office.  Archivist of the National Archives of the Cook Islands is in compliance with the Public Records Act 1984. What is National Archives of the Cook Islands? The National Archives of the Cook Islands is a place where people can research on first hand-facts, primary evidence (original copies of letters, memos, reports, notes, data, photographic-still images and computer-generated records).  It is a safe storage of government, historical, cultural, documented heritage and oral traditions of the nation.  Archives often provide the only source of evidence which can be used to inform us about our past. What’s a record? Archives record describes original documents that are kept in the Archive holdings.  However, it is also described as an electronic form of record.