MAUKE - a magical paradise through the eyes of the Mayor

MAUKE is the most easterly of the Cook Islands and even though it’s just a short flight from the capital island of Rarotonga 277 kms away, it’s very different in landscape and lifestyle. There are few visitors but those who venture there discover probably the warmest and most welcoming people anywhere in the Islands. 

Our guide is Mauke’s Mayor, Joanne Stephens who tells me how her leadership focusses on service, integrity and love. She talks about the challenges her island faces from wild pigs to depopulation. And we drop in on very special Christmas celebrations and get an insight into a day of singing, dancing, laughter and feasting. Joanne also speaks openly and honestly about being the nation’s first transgender mayor. 

Find out more about this island at MAUKE Cook Islands

ABOUT ME
I'm a retired BBC radio and TV journalist and presenter who's been having a long distance love affair with the Cook Islands for nearly 40 years and I've featured in media worldwide as an expert on this remote islands nation. CONTACT ME if you'd like to sponsor this podcast or just want to ask questions about the Cook Islands. Email kiaoranawebsiteauthor(at)cookislands.org.uk (Replace “at” with @)

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
Whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, you'll discover stories of buried treasure, ghostly fire, real-life Robinson Crusoes and the mafia, and a wealth of useful information. 'Around the Corner from Nowhere: The Cook Islands Rediscovered' is available as an ebook (https://getbook.at/Cook_Islands-ebook) or paperback (https://getbook.at/cookislandsbook) through Amazon. An updated 2025 version has just been published. All profits are donated to dementia charities

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands