Celebrate new years on Rarotonga or Aitutaki?

For my late December trip to the Islands I have the choice to leave Aitutaki on December 31st and go back to Rarotonga to celebrate the new year there, or I can stay on Aitutaki and return to Rarotonga on January 1st. My flight to Los Angeles leaves at midnight (January 2nd-3rd), so I want to make sure I schedule enough time for me to get back to Raro in case there are delays around new years. That's why I don't want to stay on Aitu until the 2nd.

I guess Raro has more of a party feel on new years eve compared to Aitu, but are there any special festivities taking place on Aito or Raro on new years eve?
Are stores and activities closed on January 1st?

I've never experienced NYE on Aitutaki, but here on Raro it's generally a fairly mellow evening. Most people tend to spend the day on or around the beach then there are usually a few parties going on at the small nightclubs on the island, with many people ending up at Muri beach by midnight where there is usually a beach party and fireworks. Everything is on a very small scale, though. Most shops are closed on New Years Day, and it's also a public holiday here on Jan 2.

Just a hint, be careful when you abbreviate Aitutaki to Aitu, (especially in any communication with travel agents or the like) as there is an island here called Atiu. People may think you have just spelt it incorrectly, so you may be given wrong information ;-)