AGP Executive Report

Education & Wellbeing: The 2025 Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment shows uneven progress for Year 4 learners in the Cook Islands and across the region, with only 44% meeting expected reading levels, while numeracy and writing sit higher—alongside worrying school bullying rates and teacher stress. Sports & Youth: Cook Islands U-16 women closed their OFC campaign with a strong win over Tonga, while netball heartbreak followed as the senior side missed 2027 World Cup qualification after a loss to Samoa. Culture & Storytelling: Ruta Mave argues for telling Polynesian stories on screen—from ancestral navigation to modern voices—while a Cook Islands short film push highlights local creativity. Tourism & Community Recognition: Cook Islands Tourism opens voting for the Kia Orana Champions People’s Choice Awards, with thousands of early votes and a new Innovation Icon category. Environment & Foodways: Mangaia’s brief flying-fox rā‘ui reopening renews the debate over conservation versus customary hunting, with calls for better monitoring before any future openings. Regional Policy: Pacific leaders and partners press for stronger fisheries support at COFI37, backing Pacific-led tuna strategies and regional cooperation.

Education & Wellbeing: A new PILNA 2025 report finds fewer than half of Year 4 students meet expected reading levels in the Pacific (44%), with numeracy and writing higher (72% and 69%). It also flags bullying (around half of students) and teacher stress (78%), pushing the focus from testing to what schools and governments do next. Sports & Youth Culture: Whanganui High School’s Ngā Hau e Whā wins national Smokefree Tangata Beats honours, spotlighting Māori and Pasifika identity through contemporary music. Community & Identity in Sport: The Cook Islands senior men’s team returns home for the first time since 1998, hosting Tahiti in Rarotonga as a new era begins under coach Rhys Ruka. Pa Enua Infrastructure: Government outlines a long-awaited wharf push for Tongareva/Penrhyn, with major funding intentions announced with US and New Zealand partners. Environment & Food Traditions: Mangaia’s rā‘ui reopening on flying foxes renews debate over how to protect moā kirikiri while sustaining them as a valued food source. Tourism People Power: Cook Islands Tourism opens voting for the 2026 Kia Orana Champions People’s Choice Awards, with 12,000+ votes already cast in the first 24 hours. Regional Cooperation: Pacific delegations press fisheries priorities at COFI37 in Rome, calling for stronger support for Pacific-led tuna strategies.

Rugby League World Cup training bases: Wales women’s team joins the growing list of international squads using the Central Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Complex at Tuggerah, following the Jillaroos and Cook Islands men’s team—an elite-sport boost with local business and fan spillover. Pacific fisheries diplomacy: Pacific countries, including the Cook Islands, pushed for stronger international recognition and support for Pacific-led tuna strategies at COFI37 in Rome, highlighting regional cooperation, science-based management and monitoring. Ocean conservation funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, and support for high-seas protection. Local sport spotlight: Cook Islands U-16 women finished seventh at the OFC Championship after a strong run, while Avatiu Eels head into the Super 16s premier semi-final confident ahead of their clash with TKV Reds. Tourism culture awards: Cook Islands Tourism opened voting for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with Kia Orana Champions decided by public vote. Governance & safety: Cook Islands joined a regional Chemical Weapons Convention meeting in Seoul, and a Cook Islands representative shared reflections on strengthening family protection and domestic violence legislation.

Fisheries Diplomacy: Pacific delegations, including Cook Islands representatives, pushed for stronger international recognition of Pacific-led tuna strategies at FAO’s COFI37 in Rome, highlighting science-based management and regional cooperation as FFA received the Margarita Lizarraga Medal. Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands and work toward high-seas protections. Youth Sport & Football: Cook Islands U-16 women closed their OFC campaign with a 3-2 win over Tonga, finishing seventh and returning to the 2027 championship via automatic qualification. Netball Heartbreak: Cook Islands missed 2027 Netball World Cup qualification after a 50–72 loss to Samoa, while Tonga and Samoa secured the Oceania spots. Community & Culture Tourism: Cook Islands Tourism named 25 finalists for the Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with voting open until 22 September. Governance & Safety: Cook Islands joined a regional Chemical Weapons Convention meeting in Seoul, sharing how very small administrations coordinate responsibilities across agencies. Local Sports Calendar: Athletics CI expects 306 runners and walkers for the 49th Round Raro Road Race, while Auckland darts players arrive for a nine-day Rarotonga tournament.

Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands and other island nations, plus work toward international high-seas protections. Youth Sport & Football: Cook Islands U-16 women closed their OFC campaign with a strong 3-2 win over Tonga, finishing seventh, while the wider OFC U-16 Women’s Championship story heads into semi-finals with FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification on the line. Community, Culture & Tourism Recognition: Cook Islands Tourism opened voting for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with 25 finalists and a new Innovation Icon category celebrating fresh ideas rooted in Kia Orana values. Local Governance & Daily Life: Incoming Cook Islands Party priorities in the first 100 days focus on cost of living and housing, with fuel security and a push to progress the housing policy front and centre. Regional Cooperation & Law: Cook Islands joined a Chemical Weapons Convention regional meeting in Seoul, sharing how very small administrations coordinate responsibilities across agencies. Sports Calendar & Lifestyle: Athletics Cook Islands says registrations are strong for the Round Raro Road Race, while Rarotonga hosts visiting Auckland darts players for a nine-day tournament.

Youth & Sport Spotlight: Cook Islands U-16 women closed their OFC run with a 3-2 win over Tonga, scoring all three in the first half, finishing seventh and heading back in 2027 after automatic qualification. Regional Netball: Cook Islands missed the 2027 Netball World Cup after a 50-72 loss to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier, while Tonga topped the event and secured its World Cup spot. Community & Culture: Mangaia’s brief rā‘ui reopening on flying foxes has reignited debate over how to protect moā kirikiri while sustaining it as a valued food source, with monitoring and catch limits still unresolved. Tourism Values in Action: Te Mato Manava Tūroto opened voting for the 2026 Kia Orana Champions People’s Choice Awards, with a new Innovation Icon category and thousands of votes already cast. Local Lifestyle & Events: Athletics Cook Islands is upbeat about strong turnout for the Round Rarotonga Road Race, and Auckland Cook Islands Darts Association players are in Rarotonga for a nine-day tournament that includes youth and mixed events. Governance & Safety: Cook Islands joined a regional Chemical Weapons Convention meeting in Seoul, sharing how very small administrations coordinate responsibilities across agencies.

Youth & Service: Cook Islands Boys’ Brigade marks a milestone retirement after 50 years of voluntary leadership by New Zealander Dave Parker, credited with youth mentorship, tourism promotion and donating brass band instruments. Conservation & Food Traditions: Mangaia’s rā‘ui on flying foxes (moā kirikiri) has reopened briefly, reigniting debate over whether the population can handle hunting when catch limits and monitoring are still unresolved. Football (U-16 Women): Cook Islands’ Metuamaru Arere stars as the U-16 women finish seventh at the OFC Championship, scoring all three goals in a 3-2 win over Tonga, while Samoa end fifth after beating Solomon Islands 2-0. Netball (World Cup): Cook Islands miss 2027 World Cup qualification after a loss to Samoa, as Tonga and Samoa secure the Oceania spots. Sports Community: Athletics Cook Islands reports strong registration for the 49th Round Rarotonga Road Race, with 306 runners and walkers set for tomorrow’s events. Tourism Values: Voting opens for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with over 12,000 votes cast in the first day. Governance & Culture: Cook Islands joins a regional Chemical Weapons Convention meeting in Seoul, sharing how very small administrations coordinate responsibilities across agencies.

Tourism & Community: Te Mato Manava Tūroto has opened voting for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with 25 finalists and Kia Orana Champions bringing Kia Orana, Meitaki and Mana Tiaki to life across the industry. Netball & Youth Sport: Cook Islands missed out on the 2027 Netball World Cup after losing 50–72 to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier, despite earlier wins including a 64–54 result over Papua New Guinea. Regional Sport Spotlight: Tonga claimed the Oceania netball title and a World Cup invite, while Samoa also secured a second Oceania spot after beating Cook Islands. Athletics: Athletics Cook Islands is upbeat about strong turnout for the 49th Round Rarotonga Road Race, with 306 registered runners and walkers for events including the 31km and 10km races. Culture & Learning: Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School celebrated a third straight title at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, with tamariki taking home skills, Māori games and resilience lessons. Governance & Heritage: Cook Islands joined a regional Chemical Weapons Convention meeting in Seoul, sharing how very small administrations coordinate responsibilities across agencies. Family & Safety: A Cook Islands representative highlighted growing men’s involvement in efforts to end violence against women and girls at a regional family protection meeting in Fiji.

Netball & Rebuild: Fiji’s Crest Pearls miss the 2027 Netball World Cup, but transition chair Vasiti Vugakoto says the long-term rebuild is still on track, arguing elite programmes need years and that the Pearls’ short transition window left them behind Tonga and Samoa. Pacific Travel Policy: New Zealand’s Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens, aiming to cut costs and paperwork for whānau reconnecting for weddings, funerals and major cultural moments. OFC Women’s Football: Cook Islands finished seventh after a 3-2 win over Tonga, while Samoa ended fifth with a 2-0 victory over Solomon Islands; the tournament’s semi-finals now decide FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification. Regional Fisheries Leadership: Pacific countries backed stronger recognition for Pacific-led tuna fisheries solutions at COFI37, highlighting science-based management and regional cooperation. Tourism People’s Choice: Cook Islands Tourism has opened voting for the Kia Orana Champions (Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata), with 25 finalists and a new Innovation Icon category drawing early momentum. Culture & Learning: Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School claimed a third straight title at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, with Māori games and outdoor learning part of the bigger win. Education & Youth: Consultation on replacing NCEA shows broad support for improving senior secondary qualifications, but many educators and families want refinement rather than scrapping it.

Tourism & Community: Cook Islands Tourism has opened voting for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with 25 Kia Orana Champions finalists and more than 12,000 votes already cast in the first 24 hours. Culture & Sport: Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School made it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking the overall title and bringing tamariki back with skills, Māori games and resilience. Youth & Opportunity: Team Cook Islands is set to send a 13-athlete delegation to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, with preparations underway. Health & Safety: A UN DESA policy brief says Pacific island countries—including the Cook Islands—need stronger social protection to cut poverty and boost resilience to climate and economic shocks. Governance & Oceans: Cook Islands joined a regional Chemical Weapons Convention meeting in Seoul, sharing how very small administrations coordinate obligations. Violence Prevention: Cook Islands representatives highlighted growing men’s involvement in tackling violence against women and girls at a regional family protection meeting in Fiji. Education: Literacy Week wrapped up across Rarotonga schools with storytelling, Māori legends and creative reading activities. Football (OFC): Samoa finished fifth at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, while the Cook Islands’ tournament run continues to be shaped by the semi-final race for FIFA U-17 qualification.

OFC U-16 Women’s Championship: Samoa ended fifth with a 2-0 win over the Solomon Islands, with captain Taimane Devoux involved in both goals, while the Cook Islands’ campaign continued in the same Honiara tournament. Youth sport in Aotearoa: Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School made it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking tamariki beyond local sport with Māori games and new challenges. Cook Islands in the Youth Olympics pipeline: Team Cook Islands has named a 13-athlete Dakar 2026 delegation, with preparations well underway. Women’s sport momentum: Fiji, Cook Islands and Kiribati were praised for progress at the inaugural Oceania Women’s Handball Championship, with the Cook Islands noted for strong organisation. Culture & creativity: Kūki comedian Ruaine-Pratley turns political frustration into satire in a new Auckland solo show. Community & learning: Rarotonga schools wrapped Literacy Week with storytelling, Māori legends and character dress-up, while Autism Cook Islands expanded youth support with the new Six Bricks programme for ages 3–8. Governance & heritage: Kiribati’s fisheries minister visited Rarotonga to learn seabed minerals governance, and Nikao Cemetery headstones were vandalised, prompting calls for prosecution.

Sustainable Fisheries: Pacific leaders used COFI37 in Rome to push for stronger recognition and support for Pacific-led, science-based tuna management, with the Cook Islands among the high-profile delegations. Youth & Sport: Team Cook Islands has named a 13-athlete squad for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, while Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School made it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp—celebrating cultural learning as much as medals. Football Pathways: In Honiara, the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship semi-finals set up New Zealand vs PNG and New Caledonia vs Fiji, with Cook Islands teams also featuring in the tournament’s push toward the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Community & Culture: A historic Rarotonga cemetery—Nikao Cemetery—was vandalised, shocking volunteers and families who have restored the site for over a decade. Education & Inclusion: Autism Cook Islands expanded youth support with the new Six Bricks weekly programme for children aged 3–8. Women’s Safety: Cook Islands officials highlighted prevention-focused approaches to ending violence against women and girls at a regional symposium in Fiji.

Youth Sport & Representation: Team Cook Islands has named a 13-athlete delegation for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, with preparations underway for the Oct 31–Nov 13 Games. Women’s Sport: The Cook Islands’ women’s teams are in the spotlight across Oceania competitions, from handball’s Nations Trophy in Wellington to football’s OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, where New Zealand’s 8-0 win over the Cook Islands sets up high-stakes semi-final qualification races. Community & Learning: Rarotonga schools wrapped up Literacy Week with book hunts, buddy reading, storytelling, Māori legends and character dress-up. Culture & Voice: Kūki comedian Ruaine-Pratley turns political frustration into satire, using performance to mirror how politics is done. Governance & Environment: Kiribati’s fisheries minister visited Rarotonga to study Cook Islands seabed minerals governance, focusing on regulation, research and environmental protection. Safety & Rights: Cook Islands officials highlighted growing men’s involvement in ending violence against women and girls at a regional family protection meeting in Fiji. Local Politics & Housing: PM Mark Brown says cost of living and housing are top priorities for the incoming government’s first 100 days. Sports Pathways: Autism Cook Islands expanded youth programmes with a new weekly “Six Bricks” initiative for children aged three to eight. Heritage Under Threat: Nikao Cemetery headstones in Rarotonga were vandalised, prompting calls for prosecution.

Performative Politics in Comedy: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings his second solo show, “Orin Performs Performative Stand-Up Comedy,” to Auckland, using satire to lampoon how politics is performed—no deep political knowledge needed. Women’s Sport Momentum: The inaugural Oceania Women’s Handball Championship is putting Fiji, Cook Islands and Kiribati on the map, with strong tournament performances and a clear development pathway. Youth Football Stakes: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship semi-finals in Honiara decide FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification—New Zealand v Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia v Fiji—after dramatic group results including Cook Islands holding hosts Solomon Islands 0-0. Local Governance & Living Costs: PM Mark Brown says the incoming Cook Islands Party-led government will prioritise cost of living and housing in its first 100 days. Safety, Culture, and Community: Nikao Cemetery in Rarotonga—home to Cook Islands WWI soldiers—was vandalised, sparking calls for prosecution. Learning & Inclusion: Cook Islands schools wrapped Literacy Week with storytelling and Māori legends, while Autism Cook Islands expands youth programmes with a new weekly “Six Bricks” session. Regional Partnerships: CISNOC media officer Christopher L.K. Browne returns from an ANOC digital seminar in Italy ahead of Dakar 2026.

Athlete Leadership: Fijian Olympian Cheyenne Rova has been nominated chair of the Athletes Commission for Oceania Aquatics, saying her Wahine Toa Oceania leadership programme gave her the confidence to step into bigger roles. Women’s Safety & Community Action: Cook Islands officials highlighted the growing involvement of men in ending violence against women and girls at a regional symposium, alongside wider Pacific training efforts to strengthen prevention and support. Oceania Football (Cook Islands in the mix): In the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Honiara, Cook Islands bounced back with a 0–0 draw against hosts Solomon Islands after an opening loss to Fiji, while Fiji and Papua New Guinea surged into semi-finals—setting up a high-stakes path to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Local Governance & Cost of Living: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown says cost of living and housing are top priorities for the incoming government’s first 100 days. Heritage Under Threat: Nikao Cemetery in Rarotonga—home to Cook Islands soldiers from World War I—was vandalised, with calls for those responsible to be prosecuted. Education Reform Debate: A consultation on replacing NCEA shows strong support for improving the system, but many educators and families want refinement rather than scrapping it.

OFC U-16 Women’s World Cup race: Semi-finals in Honiara decide two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup spots for Morocco. New Zealand face Papua New Guinea (4pm), while New Caledonia play Fiji (7pm). Cook Islands football focus: Cook Islands’ campaign continues after a 0–0 draw with hosts Solomon Islands, with goalkeeper Leah Schuster starring in a bounce-back after an 11-0 opener loss to Fiji. Violence prevention: Cook Islands officials took part in a regional push to strengthen prevention and support for violence against women and girls, including training across Pacific nations. Cost of living & housing: Incoming PM Mark Brown says the first 100 days will target cost of living and housing, including fuel security and a housing policy push. Education debate: A consultation on replacing NCEA shows strong support for improving the system, but many educators and families want refinement rather than scrapping it. Community & heritage: Nikao Cemetery in Rarotonga was vandalised, with calls for prosecution over damaged headstones. Culture & learning: Rarotonga schools wrapped up Literacy Week with Māori legends, storytelling, and creative reading activities. Sports pathway: Autism Cook Islands expanded youth programmes with a new weekly Six Bricks initiative for children aged 3–8.