Aitutaki Night Market

Aitutaki’s New Orongo Night Markets Bring Community, Culture and Kai to Life

Aitutaki’s evenings are getting a whole lot brighter with the launch of the Orongo Night Markets, held every second Thursday evening at Orongo Park.

Proudly supported by Cook Islands Tourism in partnership with the Aitutaki Island Council, the markets are creating a vibrant new space where local vendors can showcase and sell their food, crafts, fresh produce and handmade products.

But the Orongo Night Markets are about more than shopping. They’re about community, connection and culture—bringing locals and visitors together in a relaxed, fun and family-friendly environment filled with music, delicious kai and the warm hospitality Aitutaki is known for.

“The Orongo Night Markets are more than just an event—they’re a platform for our local community to shine,” says Te’Aumata Rairi, Aitutaki Tourism Coordinator. “It gives small vendors a chance to grow their business, and it gives our visitors a deeper, more authentic experience of who we are.”

The markets also provide regular income-generating opportunities for small businesses, while giving visitors the chance to experience Aitutaki’s creativity, hospitality and cultural richness beyond the traditional tourist experience.

The initiative is a great example of community-led economic development in action, with Cook Islands Tourism supporting local enterprise while helping to create richer and more meaningful experiences for visitors.

It also reflects the values of the Love Our Little Paradise movement and the Cook Islands’ wider commitment to responsible, inclusive and sustainable tourism—where our communities, culture and local businesses are at the heart of the visitor experience.