Types › Cook Islands
3 NZD #128
Festival of Pacific Arts Commemorative Issue
(1992)
· issued 1992
· 8
· rare
Type details
| Country | Cook Islands |
| Currency | NZD |
| Denomination | 3 |
| Series | Festival of Pacific Arts Commemorative Issue |
| Series year | 1992 |
| Series range | 1992 |
| Issue year | 1992 |
| Issuer | Government of the Cook Islands |
| Signatures | Minister of Finance: Terepai Maoate |
| Printer | Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited |
| Front portrait | Ina and the Shark |
| Reverse subject | Traditional va'a (outrigger canoe) and carved wooden deity figure |
| Themes | mythology,indigenous_culture,commemorative,transport |
| Watermark | Ina and the shark motif visible in clear field |
| Security features | intaglio,microprint,see_through_register,latent_image |
| Colour palette | #f5deb3,#87ceeb,#d4af37 |
| Material | paper |
| Dimensions (mm) | 155x70 |
| Language / script | Latin |
| Languages | en,mi |
| Pick # | 8 |
| Rarity | rare |
| Legal status | withdrawn |
| Legal status date | 1992 |
| Era | 1990_present |
| Default value (low) | 75.0 |
| Default value (high) | 150.0 |
| Value currency | USD |
Front
Ina and the Shark, a legendary figure from Cook Islands Polynesian mythology. Ina (also known as Hina) is a moon goddess whose story is central to Pacific Islander oral tradition; in the most famous tale, she transforms into or rides a shark. This note depicts Ina with flowing hair alongside a shark rendered in fine engraving, symbolizing the deep connection between Cook Islanders and the ocean. The $3 denomination is unusual globally and reflects the commemorative nature of this issue.
Back
Traditional Polynesian va'a (outrigger canoe) with distinctive double-hull construction and rigging, representing centuries-old seafaring technology that enabled the settlement of the Pacific islands. At right stands a carved wooden deity figure (staff god or atua rakau) characteristic of Cook Islands religious art from the pre-Christian era, with geometric patterns typical of eastern Polynesian carving traditions. Decorative tapa cloth patterns in pink, yellow and purple frame the scene. The inscription commemorates the 6th Festival of Pacific Arts held in Rarotonga in October 1992, a major cultural event celebrating indigenous Pacific art, dance, and traditions.
History
This $3 note was issued as a commemorative for the 6th Festival of Pacific Arts held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, October 16-27, 1992. The Cook Islands use New Zealand currency for everyday transactions, making special issues like this extremely limited in production and circulation. The unusual $3 denomination has no practical circulation purpose and was intended primarily for collectors and festival attendees. The note was printed by Thomas De La Rue and represents one of the few occasions the Cook Islands government has issued its own banknotes. It was legal tender only briefly during the festival period. The design draws heavily on Cook Islands Maori mythology and traditional crafts, showcasing the cultural heritage celebrated at the Festival of Pacific Arts, a quadrennial event rotating among Pacific nations.
