TALES OF TIME:A Journey Through Cook Islands History | Drums Across the Lagoon (1960)

Step back in time with Drums Across the Lagoon (1960), a historic film from New Zealand’s National Film Unit showcasing the beauty, traditions and everyday life of the Cook Islands.

Filmed across the volcanic islands and coral atolls of the Cook Islands, this documentary captures Cook Islands communities, agriculture, homes, schools, recreation and the cultural changes shaping island life during the mid-20th century. Originally produced during the period when the Cook Islands was a New Zealand-administered territory, the film offers a rare glimpse into the people, places and traditions that continue to shape Cook Islands identity today.

Re-shared in celebration of Cook Islands Language Week, we honour the rich language, culture and heritage of the Cook Islands and the generations who continue to keep it alive.