Penrhyn is best known in the Cook Islands for its weaving. The women of Omoka and Tetautua produce hats, baskets, and mats from pandanus leaf using a fine plaiting technique that sets their work apart from the coarser weaving found elsewhere in the northern Cooks. A finished Penrhyn hat is a serious object — tightly woven, durable, and beautiful — rather than a quick souvenir.
Visitors who spend time in Omoka will likely encounter weaving in progress; it is a daily activity for many women on the island. Buying directly from the maker is both practical and appropriate. Bringing cash is essential — there is no card payment infrastructure on Penrhyn.