A morning at Punanga Nui Market: Rarotonga’s iconic Saturday marketplace.

Punanga Nui Market is the Saturday market in Rarotonga and a must-do on any visitors list.  

The market is a buzzing place to be and has an atmosphere that in itself represents the colourful and vibrant culture of the Cook Islands. (And trust me, even after a year of living in Rarotonga the Saturday morning market is still a highlight in our week!).

There are fresh drinking coconuts for sale, tropical smoothies, beautiful handcrafted island artefacts and colourful island-wear.  Add to that the sound of island music and drum-beats uplifting the market vibe and you have a buzzing morning market to explore and enjoy. 

Read on for everything you need to know for a great visit to Punanga Nui Market – the weekend market in Rarotonga.

• Opening hours
• Cash of EFTPOS?
• Location
• Parking
• What to try and buy
• Helpful tips for your visit

When is the Punanga Nui Market open? 

Saturday is the main market day in Rarotonga.  

The Punanga Nui Market opening hours are: 

• Saturday 8am until midday ish. 

But the market is also open on a smaller scale during the week. 

• Monday to Friday from 8:00am til around 2 or 3:00pm. 

During the week the vendors have more fruit and vegetables for sale along with a select few of the huts that are open.  However, Saturday is the main market day for Rarotonga and definitely the best time to go.  

There are some permanent eateries open next to the children’s playground and entrance through Constitution Park.  

We can highly recommend a coffee from Kai & Co next to the playground.  

And if you haven’t tried ika mata yet since you’ve arrived in Rarotonga… we reckon Bite Time has one of the best ika mata on the island! 

There is also a fortnightly night market at Punanga Nui Markets open on a Wednesday night from 5:00pm (until about 8:00pm).  Check with your accommodation to find out which week the night market is operating for your visit. 

Cash or EFTPOS?

Most of the Punanga Nui Markets is cash-only with NZD currency.  

• Tip: There is a BSP ATM at the entrance to the market that accepts international cards for cash withdrawals. 

Where exactly is the Punanga Nui Market? 

It’s easy to find the Punanga Nui Market on a Saturday morning as town will already be abuzz. 

The market is right next to the Avatiu Harbour and is well signposted with large signs visible from either direction. 

Where to park

It’s most convenient to park in the main street of Avarua.  There is angle parking for cars on both sides of the main road leading away from the market, and plenty of parking for motorbikes and scooters close to the entrance. 

There is further parking around the back of the market on the grass to the side of Constitution Park. 

What is available at the Punanga Nui Market? 

There are all kinds of island treats to try and food to buy at the Punanga Nui Market.  

Some of our favourites that I can personally recommend include…

• A breakfast smoothie bowl from Fresh Fix Raro
• Soursop flavoured ice cream from Be Fruitful (look out for the brightly coloured ice cream trailer) 
• Banana Poke (have you tried this Cook Island dessert yet? Banana is the best flavour). 
• A bottle of tropical hot sauce from Paul’s Hot Sauce (these make the perfect gift and are sealed and the correct size to take home through customs). 

And be sure to grab a fresh nu (drinking coconut) from one of the fruit and vegetable stalls for the ultimate island experience as you wander and browse the market.

Souvenirs and gifts at Punanga Nui Market

The markets are the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs to take home or buy some gifts (for yourself or family back home!).

There are all kinds of beautiful flower ei’s (flower head crowns); fresh ones and artificial ones that you can take home with you.

You’ll find locally made pearl jewellery, handcrafted tivaevae and local crochet style bags and cushion covers, woven bags and fans, earrings and more.

Have a look out for some of the beautiful handwoven rito earrings and hats. These crafts are handmade in the Northern Pa Enua (the Northern Cook Islands).

• Tip: The iconic Cook Island hats are so intricately made they are expensive, but the earrings make a beautiful gift and are light and easy to carry.

Otherwise I recommend a hand painted or dyed Pareu. These are the Cook Islands lava-lavas or sarongs and make a handy item to carry in your bag for future beach visits while in Rarotonga.

Helpful tips for visiting the Punanga Nui Market

• Get there early: The markets open at 8:00am on a Saturday morning and it’s a good idea to go early as they have the widest selection of food on offer from the start. (The markets are very popular on a Saturday with tourists and there are some stalls that often sell out!). 

• Bring a straw: Bring your own reusable straw and cutlery so you can do your part to look after the beautiful Cook Islands environment.  

• Cash: Bring NZD cash or Cook Islands coins as stalls are cash only. 

• Bus: The bus in Rarotonga stops just outside Punanga Nui Market.

Parking at Punanga Nui Market

If you have a rental car in Rarotonga there is angle parking along the main road in both directions through the main strip of Avarua town.  

There is also parking on the grass behind the market itself.  Keep an eye out for signs for market parking.

• Read our guide to car rental in Rarotonga.

See our highlights and favourite things to do in Rarotonga

• Find the best swimming beaches: It’s no huge surprise that this tropical island has some seriously fantastic swimming beaches.  But in case you are wondering which side of the island to check out first, or whether the beaches you’ve spotted are public or private, read our guide to Rarotonga’s best swimming beaches here.

• A reef or ridge walk with Ariimoana: Amazing local tours and opportunity to learn about life in Rarotonga from local guides, Kura and Jacopo.  If you haven’t already read these blog posts and checked out their tours; go and look now! 

• Hike to the Needle: The Cross Island walk is Rarotonga’s most famous hike. Explore the inland jungle and rivers with some seriously rewarding ocean views.

• Raro Reef Sub: This is a great way to get out on the water and venture beyond the reef.  There are some huge and beautiful fish to see, and you can check out the ruins of the century old shipwreck, Maitai. 

• Rongohiva Speed Boat: Another great water activity that’s lots of fun and in the right season even brings the chance of seeing whales from beyond the reef. 

• Te Vara Nui Cultural Show: An impressive taste of local Cook Island culture with performances, dancing, music and a buffet dinner. 

• Muri Night Market: This island style night market are a fun and tasty way to spend the evening in Rarotonga.  (I recommend trying a soursop ice-cream from Be Fruitful!).