Sick of white sands and turquoise waters? The Cooks have a darker side, writes Robin Esrock.

Brett Atkinson keeps busy on the ultimate Rarotongan weekend.

Fresh Pasifika flavour with French flair ... Sophie Bond's in the markets for a treat.

Two years after the devastating tsunami, Samoa has lost none of its natural beauty, warmth, culture or charm, writes Belinda Henley.

A no-frills break on the island of Savaii proves uniquely soothing, writes Vaimoana Tapaleao.

Palm-fringed beaches and tropical rainforests merge in Savai'i, writes Adrienne Kohler.

Vaimoana Tapaleao finds these surreal Samoan volcanic rock fields have a spiritual atmosphere.

As balls skip across rock pools, Faith Lee resolves to master a spot of reef golf in Fiji.

An outing off Moorea turns Kerre Woodham into a fishing convert.

Imagine a luxury resort where children are welcome, and entertained.

When Faith Lee went looking for the real Fiji, she found it on beautiful friendly Vanua Levu ... and in two special people.

Jim Eagles enjoys the sweet taste of Niue's lush land and lifestyle.

New Caledonia's Napoemien tribe live a self-sufficient lifestyle, writes Sue Baxalle.

The small Fijian village of Lomawai aims to become a foodie favourite, says Jim Eagles.

Herald artist Richard Dale takes his sketchbook with him on board a luxury cruise liner.

If a cruise seems like an old-age holiday, think again. By Chris Marriner.

Gauguin finally has a fitting memorial, writes Diana Plater.

Niue is almost an empty country, writes Jim Eagles, but there's still plenty to do there.

Two hundred years ago, the paramount chief of the Fijian village of Levuka decided to welcome European traders.

I've always felt that food was one of the great reasons to travel. But you'd have to say that until relatively recently it wasn't top of the list of reasons for visiting the South Pacific.

Ten years ago a group of us made a pact: whatever happened, come hell or high water, we were going to celebrate our 40th birthdays together in a tropical paradise.

Liz Light enjoys nature's abundance in a pristine part of Papua New Guinea.

Jim Eagles attends a practice run for Niue High School's fundraising foray into tourism.

The tiny island nation has a taste sensation at every visitor's fingertips, writes Jim Eagles.

Fiji's islands boast a rich history and curious traditions, writes Jim Eagles.

A friendly club, but don't visit when it blows from the west, writes Jim Eagles.

Andrew Stone enjoys the experience of being marooned on a desert island in Fiji.

Land divers leave Susan Buckland in awe, risking life and limb to prove their manhood.

Villagers believer the Duke of Edinburgh is a tribal ancestor, writes Kathy Marks.