17 Nov 2010

Vaka Eiva set to start in Cook Islands

2:34 pm on 17 November 2010

One of the Pacific's biggest outrigger canoeing competitions gets underway in the Cook Islands this week.

The Cook Islands Vaka Eiva outrigger canoeing competition has attracted at least 60 international teams - with close to 30 local teams also taking part.

More than 1,000 competitors and supporters began arriving in Rarotonga for the six days of races.

The Vaka Eiva is the most successful annual events in the Cook Islands, contributing over one million New Zealand dollars to the country's economy.