AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Youth Pathways: Te Mato Manava Tūroto is opening Expressions of Interest for its 2027 Te Arata’a pathway scholarships, aiming to connect young Cook Islanders with tourism training, industry experience and study options. Sports (Cook Islands): Cook Islands women’s point guard Kayla Kiriau says the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup in Tahiti is a “nostalgic” return after her first gold at the event, with the team chasing a new chapter and leadership role for the next generation. Community & Culture: CC Tamure Fitness is helping women stay active through tamure dance-based workouts, blending culture, fitness and a supportive space for wellbeing. Local Security: BSP is warning residents about a wave of scam calls impersonating bank staff, urging customers to protect personal and banking details. Regional Environment (Pacific): The Bezos Earth Fund has announced $25m in ocean conservation grants including support for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana ocean park, as part of a push to protect 30% of Pacific waters by 2030. Infrastructure (Penrhyn): NZDF work on Penrhyn is progressing, with new water tanks, school upgrades, hospital repairs and hydrographic surveying improving local services and navigation data.

Ocean Conservation Funding: Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Earth Fund has announced over $25 million in new grants to protect and sustainably manage more than 625,000 square miles of ocean, including support for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana ocean park, as part of its Blue Pacific push to safeguard 30% of marine areas by 2030. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: Cook Islands residents are again weighing the promise and risk of extracting polymetallic nodules, with young voices warning that an economic future must be secured without losing environmental and cultural safeguards. Local Governance & Planning: The Cook Islands has adopted a geospatial information framework, setting priorities to strengthen data sharing and improve decision-making for infrastructure, climate resilience and ocean governance. Transport & Safety: The Ministry of Transport is calling for tighter links between meteorological services and aviation/maritime planning to improve weather intelligence. Tourism Pathways: Te Mato Manava Tūroto is opening Expressions of Interest for the 2027 Te Arata’a tourism scholarship pathway, aiming to build the next generation of industry talent. Community & Culture: CC Tamure Fitness is helping women stay active through tamure dance-based classes, blending health with cultural connection. Scam Alert: Residents are being targeted by calls impersonating BSP staff to obtain sensitive banking details.

NRL & World Cup Eligibility: Roosters centre Robert Toia says he’s still torn over representing Tonga or Australia, with Tonga coach Kristian Woolf claiming Toia signalled interest in Tonga while Australia coach Kevin Walters expects him to be available. Cook Islands Football: Tahiti beat the Cook Islands 3-1 in Rarotonga, ending a 28-year wait for a senior men’s home match. Pacific Ocean & Jobs: Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. says Pacific nations must balance ocean protection with economic development as marine pressure rises. Funding for Marine Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is putting over $25m into ocean conservation across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to help protect 30% of the region’s waters by 2030. Defence in the North: NZDF engineers and Navy hydrographers have been progressing work on Penrhyn, including school and hospital upgrades and updated harbour surveys. Tourism Pathways: Te Mato Manava Tūroto opens Expressions of Interest for the 2027 Te Arata’a youth tourism scholarships (closing 21 Oct). Scam Alert: Police warn residents about scam calls impersonating BSP staff to obtain banking details. Sports & Community: Cook Islands women are using traditional tamure dance to boost health through CC Tamure Fitness, while a Limitless Run event will link five islands in a 122km mental health push.

Tourism Win: The Cook Islands has been named Oceania’s Leading Island Destination for a fourth straight year at the 2026 World Travel Awards, with Tourism Corporation saying the result reflects the whole sector’s hard work and local hospitality. Sports & Community: The Cook Islands Residents will host the Gold Coast Kukis in an exhibition double-header as the Mantis-Hoff Series returns to Rarotonga, giving local players a chance to test themselves against a strong Australian-based side. Local Governance & Planning: The Cook Islands has adopted the UN-IGIF geospatial framework, setting national priorities to strengthen mapping and data for infrastructure, climate resilience and ocean governance. Trade Modernisation: The Ministry of Agriculture says the IPPC ePhyto digital system has replaced paper plant certificates, cutting border delays and helping open new markets. Environment & Policy: Pacific nations used a fisheries summit in Rome to call for stronger international support, while Cook Islands voices continue to weigh deep-sea mining risks against economic hopes. Media & Tech: Pasifika AI creator Wahuzue urges Pacific newsrooms to use AI for behind-the-scenes tasks only, warning that relationships and human judgement must stay with journalists.

Pacific Ocean conservation funding: Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund is set to spend more than $7b over the next four years, with over $25m in new grants protecting 625,000+ square miles of ocean across the Cook Islands and other Pacific nations. Local tourism spotlight: The Cook Islands has been named Oceania’s Leading Island Destination for a fourth straight year at the 2026 World Travel Awards. Governance and planning: The Cook Islands has adopted a Geospatial Information Framework, agreeing national priorities to improve decision-making on infrastructure, climate resilience and ocean governance. Deep-sea mining debate: Young voices in Rarotonga are weighing the promise of polymetallic nodules against cultural and environmental risks as the country faces tough choices. Media and AI ethics: Pasifika AI creator Wahuzue urges Pacific newsrooms to use AI for behind-the-scenes tasks, but keep relationships and editorial judgement firmly human. Sports and community: Cook Islands Residents will host the Gold Coast Kukis in a pair of exhibition rugby league matches, while Cook Islands women gear up for the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup in Tahiti. Safety and compliance: Cook Islands police say they’re keeping a close eye on gang travel amid concerns about recruitment across the Pacific.

Geospatial push: The Cook Islands has agreed national priorities under the UN-IGIF, with plans to strengthen geospatial governance, data sharing and funding to support infrastructure, climate resilience and ocean governance. Tourism win: The country has been named Oceania’s Leading Island Destination 2026 for a fourth straight year at the World Travel Awards. Pa Enua wharf progress: PM Mark Brown visited Tongareva with US and NZ partners to brief locals on a safe, reliable wharf at Omoka. Planning tool: LiDAR mapping is now live, giving detailed 3D data for land and near-shore areas to guide development and resilience. Environment action: Communities joined World Clean-up Day to tackle waste across the islands. Local governance debate: A letter urges Government to commission a feasibility study for a small national crematorium on Rarotonga to expand end-of-life choices. Sports & culture: Cook Islands women prepare for the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup in Tahiti, while local film teams gear up for the POP48 48-hour Pasifika challenge.

Geospatial Push: The Cook Islands will action all nine UN-IGIF pathways after a Rarotonga workshop, setting priorities for governance, legal frameworks, data sharing and climate/ocean decision-making. Local Justice: In Christchurch, Army intel officer Arthur Finegan was ordered to pay $1,500 after assaulting a taxi driver. Pacific Politics: French Polynesia’s Assembly backed a UN mission to visit Tahiti, with leaders calling for any future to be decided through an internationally recognised democratic process. Health Watch: Pacific life expectancy gains are uneven, with Naoero falling furthest behind, now at the bottom of the region. Tourism Spotlight: The Cook Islands was named Oceania’s Leading Island Destination 2026 for a fourth straight year at the World Travel Awards. Sports & Community: Cook Islands women gear up for the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup 2026, while young Ngakau Toa Vaka paddlers prepare for the Trans-Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta. Environment & Governance: World Clean-up Day mobilised communities, and LiDAR mapping is now live to support planning.

Wharf plans for Tongareva: PM Mark Brown visited Penrhyn/Tongareva with US Ambassador Jared Novelly and NZ High Commissioner Catherine Graham to brief locals on the Omoka wharf project, after the partners’ Palau announcement—while the US ambassador denied any discussion of a military base. Tourism momentum: Cook Islands Tourism says the country is on track for another strong year, with visitor demand building into 2027. Tourism industry leadership: CITIC re-elected Liana Scott as president for 2026/27, setting priorities on workforce, policy reform, business costs and keeping growth sustainable. Marine plastics push: Te Ipukarea Society convened government, private sector and Pa Enua stakeholders to tackle plastic pollution and progress a national action plan. Cyber safety in Māori: Paruru’anga Online will launch two new online cyber safety courses in October, including Cook Islands Māori materials. Sports & culture: Ngakau Toa Vaka youth paddlers (12–17) prepare for the Sunshine Coast Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta; and Cook Islands women head to Tahiti for the FIBA Women’s Polynesian Cup 2026 with renewed purpose. Media & AI: Pacific AI creator Kevyn Wahuzue urges AI for routine tasks only, warning Pacific newsrooms not to replace journalism or become AI consumers.

Rugby League World Cup: Australia’s final 2026 squad is due Monday, but injuries and absences cloud Kevin Walters’ chances to defend the trophy, with key names ruled out or doubtful. AI & Journalism: Pasifika AI creator Wahuzue says Pacific newsrooms should use AI for routine tasks like transcription and translation drafts, but keep reporting, verification, context and community relationships firmly human. Climate Accountability: Pacific media leaders adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, demanding governments and regional agencies share timely climate loss and damage information and answer public questions. Local Governance & Housing Compliance: New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal orders renters TV personality Prudence Morrall’s company to pay $5,877 after breaches across 20 tenancies, including failures tied to insulation and Healthy Homes compliance. Cook Islands Development: LiDAR mapping is now live for detailed 3D land and near-shore planning, while PM Mark Brown visited Tongareva with US and NZ partners to progress the Omoka wharf plans. Environment & Community: World Clean-up Day saw schools, businesses and families join beach and roadside rubbish drives.

Tourism & Community: Cook Islands Tourism says the country is set for another strong tourism year heading into 2027, while the CITIC re-elected Liana Scott as president and flagged priorities like workforce pressures, policy reform and keeping growth sustainable. Pa Enua Infrastructure: Prime Minister Mark Brown visited Tongareva with US Ambassador Jared Novelly and NZ High Commissioner Catherine Graham to brief locals on the Omoka wharf plans, as the US ambassador denied any discussion of a military base at Penrhyn/Tongareva. Environment & Waste: World Clean-up Day drew a strong turnout across the islands, and Te Ipukarea Society brought government, business and Pa Enua stakeholders together to push practical solutions to plastic pollution. Planning Tools: LiDAR mapping is now live to support detailed 3D planning of land and near-shore areas. Sports & Youth: Ngakau Toa Vaka youth paddlers (ages 12–17) are preparing for the Trans-Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, and Cook Islands golf tees up the inaugural Pacific Cup in Tahiti. Regional Media & Integrity: Pacific media leaders at the PINA summit urged journalists to reach remote communities without losing independence, and Fiji’s Rabuka warned about AI-fuelled misinformation.

Tongareva Wharf Progress: PM Mark Brown visited Omoka in Tongareva with US Ambassador Jared Novelly and NZ High Commissioner Catherine Graham to brief residents on a safe, reliable wharf project. US Base Claims Denied: Novelly said Washington is not discussing a military base at Penrhyn/Tongareva, framing security talks around illegal fisheries and narco-terrorism. Planning Tool Launched: LiDAR Cook Islands is now live, mapping land and near-shore areas to support better planning. Plastic Pollution Push: Te Ipukarea Society brought government, business and Pa Enua together to coordinate practical steps for reducing single-use plastics and improving waste management. World Clean-up Day: Communities across the Cook Islands joined school, business and government efforts to tackle rubbish and protect the coastline. Tourism Momentum: Cook Islands Tourism says the country is set for another strong year heading into 2027. Youth Sport: Ngakau Toa Vaka paddlers (12–17) are preparing for the Sunshine Coast Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta. Cyber Safety Courses: New Paruru’anga online courses in October will help people stay safer online, including Māori-language material. Media Integrity: Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar launched “Check Pacific” to fight misinformation across the region.

Travel Surge: Auckland Airport expects almost 15,500 international departures on 26 September, with outbound numbers now topping pre-pandemic levels for the September school-holiday rush; seat capacity is up too, with demand strong for destinations including the Cook Islands. Airfares & Costs: Stats NZ says international airfares rose 21.5% year-on-year to August, driven largely by jet fuel and higher aviation system charges—though Kiwis are still travelling. Deep Sea Mining Protest: Greenpeace activists occupied a New Zealand state-owned research vessel in Wellington, warning the ship’s work supports US-led plans to push deep sea mining in the Pacific from 2027. Cook Islands & China Diplomacy: The Cook Islands High Commission in Fiji hosted China’s BBNJ envoy, briefing on Beijing’s bid to host the permanent ocean governance secretariat. Planning Tool: LiDAR Cook Islands has gone live, giving detailed 3D mapping of land and near-shore areas to support future planning. Penrhyn WharF Claims Denied: The US ambassador says Washington is not discussing a military base at Penrhyn/Tongareva, describing security talks as focused on fisheries and narco-terrorism. Tourism Leadership: CITIC re-elected Liana Scott as president for 2026/27, prioritising workforce, policy reform, and keeping growth sustainable. Media Integrity: Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar launched “Check Pacific” to tackle misinformation across the region. Sports & Community: Cook Islands men’s football squad named for historic Tahiti friendlies; Punanga Nui Market user surveys are underway; and the police service farewelled former commissioner Tevai Vaka Matapo.

International Travel Costs: Stats NZ says New Zealanders are paying 21.5% more for overseas flights year-on-year to August, driven by higher jet fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict and rising aviation charges, though demand remains resilient. Deep Sea Mining Protest: Greenpeace activists occupied a New Zealand state-owned research vessel in Wellington, warning the ship’s work for an American company could pave the way for Pacific deep sea mining from 2027. Cook Islands & China Diplomacy: The Cook Islands High Commission in Fiji hosted China’s BBNJ envoy Yi Xianliang, briefing on China’s bid to host the permanent BBNJ secretariat and discussing ocean governance with Pacific missions. Planning Tool for the Islands: LiDAR Cook Islands is now live, giving detailed 3D mapping of land and near-shore areas to support future planning. Penrhyn/Tongareva Wharfs: The US ambassador says Washington is not discussing a military base at Penrhyn/Tongareva, pushing back on recent claims while discussing the port’s security focus around fisheries and narco-terrorism. Media Integrity Push: Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar launched “Check Pacific” to tackle misinformation, as Pacific leaders and journalists urged verification and responsible use of AI. Tourism Update: CITIC re-elected Liana Scott as president for 2026/27, with priorities including workforce pressures, policy reform and keeping growth sustainable.

US-Cook Islands Relations: US ambassador Jared Novelly says Washington is not discussing a military base at Penrhyn/Tongareva, pushing back on earlier claims and saying security talks focus on illegal fisheries and narco-terrorism. Local Infrastructure: Tongareva’s Omoka Wharf project moves into feasibility and planning, with US, Cook Islands and NZ officials visiting the atoll. Media & Misinformation: Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar launched “Check Pacific” at the Pacific Media Summit in Fiji, calling for regional media, civil society and universities to tackle misinformation and disinformation. Pacific Media Summit: Speakers urged Pacific newsrooms to stay independent while reaching remote communities, using community networks and collaboration without compromising standards. Tourism Leadership: Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council re-elected Liana Scott as president, with priorities including workforce and immigration, policy reform, and balancing growth with sustainability. Cyber Safety: Paruru’anga Online will launch new Cook Islands Māori cyber safety courses in October. Sports: Cook Islands golf team heads to Tahiti for the inaugural Pacific Cup; CISNOC GM Geoffrey Halston completed an IOC-supported sports management programme; Cook Islands men’s football squad named for friendlies vs Tahiti. Health: Mammogram screening under Te Marae Ora identified women needing repeat tests, ultrasounds and biopsies.

US-Cook Islands Relations: US ambassador Jared Novelly says Washington is not discussing a military base at Penrhyn/Tongareva, stressing security talks focus on illegal fisheries and narco-terrorism as the Omoka Wharf feasibility phase gets underway. Media & AI: At the Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, leaders urged independent, responsible journalism as AI and synthetic content spread fast; Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar launched “Check Pacific” to tackle misinformation. Climate Justice: Pacific attorney-generals gathered for an ICJ writeshop on climate change submissions, with Fiji’s AG calling for urgent climate cooperation and justice. Health & Community: The Cook Islands mammogram programme (Te Marae Ora) screened 398 women and flagged dozens needing repeat scans, ultrasounds and biopsies for follow-up. Tourism & Skills: CITIC re-elected Liana Scott as president, while Cook Islands Māori cyber safety courses are set to launch in October. Sport: Cook Islands golf tees up the inaugural Pacific Cup in Tahiti; the men’s national football squad named for friendlies vs Tahiti.

Pacific Media & AI Integrity: Fiji’s Sitiveni Rabuka urged Pacific journalists to verify facts as AI and synthetic content spread faster than checks can keep up, while Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar launched “Check Pacific” to unite media, civil society and universities against misinformation. Cook Islands Football: The Cook Islands men’s national team has been named for historic Tahiti friendlies in Rarotonga on Sept 26 and Sept 30 under new coach Rhys Ruka. Pa Enua Infrastructure: Feasibility work is underway for the NZ$101.5m Omoka Wharf project at Tongareva (Penrhyn), with US and NZ officials involved. Tourism Recognition: Atiu Villas GM Jackey Tanga was named 2026 Tourism Woman of the Month. Market Feedback: Public consultation surveys are open to shape the future of Punanga Nui Market after Stage 1 upgrades. Health Update: Te Marae Ora mammogram screening identified women needing repeat scans, ultrasounds and follow-up biopsies. Regional Conservation Funding: Bezos Earth Fund grants include support for marine protection proposals involving the Cook Islands.