AGP Executive Report

Raro 7s: Mid-Northern won the 37th tournament in its first appearance, beating Tabusoro 24-12 in a lively final at Tereora National Stadium. Organisers hope the event, a celebration of sevens and community, will draw even more teams next year. Cook Islands Rugby: A new international eligibility rule will let players qualify through a great-grandparent, following a submission from Cook Islands coach Karmichael Hunt to widen the player pool. Looking Ahead: The 2030 Rugby League World Cup will be shared by the Pacific and the United States, with men’s and women’s tournaments expanded and five host cities still to be named. Youth Development: NRLW players led a Rarotonga coaching clinic for children aged five to 12, giving young players a chance to build skills and confidence.

Rugby League: The 2030 men’s and women’s World Cups will be hosted across the Pacific and United States, with five cities still to be named. The tournaments will expand to 12 men’s and 10 women’s teams. A new rule allowing players to represent a country through a great-grandparent follows a Cook Islands submission led by coach Karmichael Hunt, widening the player pool for smaller nations. Young Athletes: NRLW stars led a Rarotonga coaching clinic for children aged five to 12, with 80 already registered to learn skills and build confidence. Raro 7s: The tournament’s 37th edition brought 27 teams to Rarotonga, including local clubs competing against international sides across men’s, women’s and age-grade divisions. Cultural Exchange: About 650 delegates, including artists and community leaders, gathered in Rarotonga for an international Indigenous health conference, bringing cultural exchange and a boost for local businesses.

Rugby League World Cup: A Cook Islands submission prompted a major eligibility change, allowing players to represent a nation through a great-grandparent. The 2030 men’s and women’s tournament will be staged across the Pacific and the US, with more teams and a planned five-city, Magic Round-style format. Raro 7s: Five local clubs joined international sides for the annual tournament, which featured men’s, women’s and youth competitions. Pacific Arts: Hawai‘i festival founder Kumu Leināʻala Fruean is inviting Pacific families, cultural groups and performers to the festival’s 10th anniversary, set for June 2027.

World Cup Final: Australia and New Zealand will meet on November 15 after the Kangaroos beat Samoa and the Kiwis defeated Tonga 34–10. Cook Islands bowed out in the pool stage. More Aitu Options: Rugby league’s new eligibility rule lets players qualify through a great-grandparent. The change follows Cook Islands coach Karmichael Hunt’s call to widen the player pool. Young Players: NRLW stars Kiana Takairangi and Corban Baxter led a Rarotonga clinic for children aged five to 12, with 80 already registered. Raro 7s: The 37th tournament brought 27 teams to Rarotonga, with local clubs competing across men’s, women’s and age-grade divisions. Cultural Exchange: A four-day Indigenous health conference in Rarotonga welcomed about 650 delegates, including artists and community leaders, bringing business to local artisans and other operators.

Youth Rugby League: NRLW stars Kiana Takairangi and Corban Baxter are running a Rarotonga clinic for children aged five to 12, with 80 already registered and more welcome. Raro 7s: The tournament marks its 37th year, bringing 27 teams to Rarotonga across men’s, women’s and youth divisions, with five local clubs taking on international sides. Youth Olympics: Cook Islands’ beach handball team has arrived in Senegal for the Dakar Games, while swimmers Alicia Story and Carter Makira have begun their events. Creative Economy: About 650 delegates, including Indigenous artists, are gathering in Rarotonga for a four-day conference, bringing business to local operators, artisans and small producers.

Raro 7s: The 37th tournament brings 27 teams to Rarotonga, with local clubs competing across men’s, women’s and age-grade divisions. Cook Islands at Dakar: The boys’ beach handball team has arrived in Senegal for the Youth Olympic Games, while swimmers Alicia Story and Carter Makira have represented the country in the pool. Growing grassroots sport: Thirty-seven riders took part in the Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals, and the Limitless Sports and Wellbeing Academy has expanded its school programme to five islands. Pacific culture: Hawai‘i festival founder Kumu Leināʻala Fruean is encouraging Pacific families, cultural groups and performers to join the festival’s 10th-anniversary celebration in 2027.

Raro 7s: The 37th tournament brings 27 teams to Rarotonga, with five local clubs competing across men’s, women’s and age-grade divisions. Defending men’s champions Avatiu Eels are back, while returning Auckland referees and growing youth participation highlight the event’s community roots. Dakar Youth Olympics: Cook Islands beach handball players have arrived in Senegal ahead of competition next week. Swimmers Alicia Story and Carter Makira carried the national flag at the opening ceremony; Makira has since placed 19th in the 100m backstroke and 16th in the breaststroke. Island-wide sport: Limitless Sports and Wellbeing Academy has expanded its programme to five islands, adding Atiu and Mauke to its school visits and activities. Pump track: Thirty-seven riders took part in the Cook Islands’ fourth Pump Track Nationals, an event designed to get local children riding and build interest in BMX.

Raro 7s: The 37th tournament is bringing 27 teams to Rarotonga, with five local clubs competing across men’s, women’s and age-grade divisions. Organisers say the growing youth competition is building pathways for the next generation. Dakar Youth Olympics: Cook Islands swimmers Alicia Story and Carter Makira have opened their campaign, while the boys’ beach handball team has arrived ahead of competition starting November 9. Local sport: The Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals drew 37 riders, with organisers aiming to give children more chances to ride and try a new sport. Pacific rugby: Tonga and Samoa are through to the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, while the Cook Islands bowed out after a heavy loss to Australia.

Raro 7s: The 37th Rarotonga International Rugby Sevens kicks off with 27 teams across five divisions. Five local clubs are taking on overseas sides, while returning New Zealand referees and growing age-grade competitions highlight the tournament’s role in developing young players. Dakar Youth Olympics: Cook Islands’ beach handball team has arrived in Senegal for its first matches. Swimmer Carter Makira placed 16th in the 100m breaststroke and 19th in the backstroke; teammate Alicia Story finished 12th in the 100m butterfly. Cook Islands Rugby League: The Aitu’s World Cup campaign ended with a 66–6 loss to Australia. Captain KL Iro backed New Zealand as tournament favourites ahead of the semi-finals. Youth sport: Thirty-seven riders took part in the Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals, an event organisers created to give local children a chance to ride and try a new sport.

Raro 7s: The 37th tournament kicks off in Rarotonga with 27 teams across five divisions, including five local clubs taking on international sides. Four Auckland referees are returning, while growing age-grade competitions are opening doors for young players. Youth on the world stage: Cook Islands’ beach handball team has arrived in Senegal for the Dakar Youth Olympics. Swimmer Carter Makira placed 19th in the 100m backstroke and 16th in the 100m breaststroke; Alicia Story finished 12th in the 100m butterfly. Sport for all ages: The Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals drew 37 riders, from toddlers to adults, as organisers work to grow BMX and cycling. World Cup: The Aitu’s campaign ended with a 66-6 loss to Australia, while captain KL Iro tipped New Zealand as the team to beat.

Pacific Culture: Hawai‘i festival founder Kumu Leināʻala Fruean is inviting Pacific families, cultural groups and performers to join the festival’s 10th anniversary, set for June 4–6, 2027. Youth Olympics: Cook Islands’ beach handball team has arrived in Senegal for the Dakar Games. Swimmers Alicia Story and Carter Makira have also represented the nation, with Story finishing 12th in the 100m butterfly and Makira placing 16th in the 100m breaststroke. Local Sport: Thirty-seven riders took part in the Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals at Rock Bike Park, where organisers say the event is helping young people discover BMX. Rugby League: The Cook Islands Aitu bowed out of the World Cup after a 66–6 loss to Australia; captain KL Iro tipped New Zealand as tournament favourites.

Pacific Arts: Hawai‘i Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival founder Kumu Leināʻala Fruean is inviting Pacific families, performers and cultural groups to join the event’s 10th anniversary, set for June 4–6, 2027. Youth Olympics: Cook Islands flagbearers Alicia Story and Carter Makira have begun their Dakar campaign. Story placed 12th in the 100m butterfly and is set to race again in the 50m. Local Sport: The Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals drew 37 riders of all ages to Turangi, with organisers aiming to give local children new ways to get active and build their riding skills. Rugby League: The Cook Islands’ World Cup campaign ended with a 66–6 loss to Australia. Captain KL Iro tipped New Zealand as tournament favourites.

Youth Olympics: Cook Islands flagbearers Alicia Story and Carter Makira led the team into the Dakar Games. Story placed 12th in the 100m butterfly and is set to race again in the 50m. Cook Islands handball has also returned to the Youth Olympics after a 16-year absence. Rugby League: The Aitu’s World Cup campaign ended with a 66-6 loss to Australia. Captain KL Iro tipped New Zealand to win the tournament. Local Sport: Thirty-seven riders took part in the Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals, where organisers are encouraging local children to get on bikes. The Cook Islands has also won the bid to host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships.

Youth Sport: Cook Islands’ fourth Pump Track Nationals drew 37 riders to the Rock Bike Park in Turangi, with organisers aiming to give local children a fun way to get active and build cycling skills. World Cup: The Aitu’s campaign ended with a 66-6 loss to Australia. Captain KL Iro backed New Zealand as tournament favourites, while the Cook Islands squad also spoke of the pride and support surrounding their run. Va’a: The Cook Islands won the bid to host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships, bringing a major international paddling event home. Youth Olympics: Cook Islands handball returned to the Youth Olympic Games after a 16-year break, as Team Cook Islands arrived in Senegal for the 2026 competition.

Pump Track: Thirty-seven riders, from toddlers to adults, took part in the Cook Islands Pump Track Nationals at Turangi’s Rock Bike Park. Organisers say the event gives local children a chance to learn bike skills and try a sport beyond the usual options. Aitu Exit: The Cook Islands bowed out of the Rugby League World Cup after losing to Australia; captain KL Iro tipped New Zealand as the team to beat. Youth Sport: Cook Islands handball is set to return to the Youth Olympic Games after a 16-year absence, while the country has won the bid to host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships.

Cook Islands Handball: The nation’s beach handball teams have arrived in Dakar as the only Oceania representatives in both Youth Olympic competitions. Their return marks the sport’s first appearance at the Games since 2010. Rugby League: The Cook Islands’ World Cup run ended with a 66–6 loss to Australia. Jack Bostock scored a hat-trick as the Kangaroos advanced unbeaten; the Islanders had also fallen to New Zealand earlier in the tournament. Va’a: The Cook Islands won the bid to host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships, bringing a major international paddling event to the islands. Pacific Arts: Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti has announced its 2026 Writers Fellowship class, supporting new voices in the region’s creative industries.