AGP Executive Report

Remembering Ana Noovao: Former Silver Ferns captain Ana Noovao has died aged 58, with tributes highlighting her calm leadership on court and her lasting impact on netball across New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Australia. Cook Islands Politics: A Cook Islands News poll ahead of the 12 August general election shows caretaker PM Mark Brown leading as “preferred PM”, while a large share of voters remain undecided. Arts & Community: Autism Cook Islands young artists are set to auction up to 20 works at the RSA in Nikao after a 12-week programme with local artist Hori Miller, with proceeds supporting ACI’s ongoing work. Football in Oceania: Tupapa Maraerenga FC prepare for their OFC Men’s Champions League opener against Rewa FC, while the tournament kicks off in Fiji with live free streaming via DAZN/FIFA+. Culture & Language: Cook Islands Māori Language Week is spotlighting a push to reconnect families with te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani as leaders warn the language needs urgent support to survive. Science & Discovery: A NOAA deep-sea exploration near the Cook Islands has turned up several megalodon teeth, adding fresh clues from the ocean floor.

Netball & Community: Beloved Silver Ferns captain Ana Noovao has died aged 58, remembered for her calm leadership on court and her coaching work that helped grow netball across the Cook Islands, Aotearoa and Australia. Cook Islands Politics: Ahead of the 12 August general election, a Cook Islands News poll puts caretaker PM Mark Brown as the “preferred PM” (35.2%), though a huge share of voters remain undecided. Arts & Inclusion: Autism Cook Islands is hosting an art exhibition and auction at the RSA in Nikao (from 5pm) featuring 12 young artists from a 12-week programme with local artist Hori Miller, with proceeds supporting ACI’s ongoing work. Football (Oceania): Tupapa Maraerenga FC are set for the OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji, starting with a Group B clash against Rewa FC, while the tournament is streamed live and free via DAZN/FIFA+. Music & Culture: Cook Islands music icon Will Crummer has been named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards. Science & Discovery: A NOAA deep-sea survey near the Cook Islands has uncovered large fossil megalodon teeth, adding fresh clues to the ancient ocean world.

OFC Champions League (Cook Islands): Tupapa Maraerenga FC are set for an early Group B test against Fiji champions Rewa FC next week, with midfielder Kima Webb saying the Cook Islands side is excited for the higher level and ready to compete, after building chemistry across New Zealand and Rarotonga. OFC Champions League (Fiji): The tournament kicks off in Fiji with matches at Govind Park (Ba) and Churchill Park (Lautoka), and fans can watch live and free via DAZN/FIFA+; Group B includes Tupapa Maraerenga, Galaxy (Vanuatu) and Rewa (Fiji). Sports & Culture (Cook Islands in NZ): The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in Wellington (Aug 8) brings together Dame Lynda Topp, The Lady Killers and Cook Islands cultural performances to support life-saving screening. Language Revival: Cook Islands Māori Language Week spotlights a push to bring te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani back home as leaders warn only a small share of New Zealand-born Cook Islanders know the language. Arts & Music: Will Crummer is named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards, celebrating his decades-long role in preserving Cook Islands music in Aotearoa. Science & Wonder: NOAA’s deep-sea survey near the Cook Islands found large megalodon shark teeth on the ocean floor, adding new clues to the ancient giant’s world.

OFC Champions League (Cook Islands): Tupapa Maraerenga FC are set for a tough start in Group B, facing Fiji champions Rewa FC next week, with midfielder Kima Webb saying the Cook Islands side is excited for the higher level and ready to compete. OFC Champions League (Fiji): Vanuatu’s Galaxy XI sent an early warning in the opening weekend, smashing Rewa 4-1 in Lautoka, with Willian Dos Santos Medina netting a hat-trick. How to Watch: The OFC Men’s Champions League is streamed live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN, with matches hosted across Fiji including games at Churchill Park and Govind Park. Language & Culture: Cook Islands Māori Language Week is spotlighting a push to bring te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani back home, as experts warn only a small share of New Zealand-born Cook Islanders know the language. Arts & Community: Cook Islands music legend Will Crummer has been named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards. Health & Fundraising: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s Beehive Ball in Wellington features Dame Lynda Topp and Cook Islands performers raising support for life-saving screening. Science (Cook Islands waters): NOAA’s deep-sea work near the Cook Islands uncovered several large megalodon teeth, offering new clues about the ancient giant shark.

OFC Men’s Champions League (Fiji): Tupapa Maraerenga FC open their campaign in Group B against Fiji champions Rewa FC, with midfielder Kima Webb saying the Cook Islands side is ready for the step up and aiming to compete, not make up the numbers. How to watch: The tournament runs in Fiji with matches streamed live and free on DAZN via FIFA+ (including the Aug 9 Lae City v Tupapa Maraerenga opener). Cook Islands Māori Language Week: Community leaders are pushing to bring te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani back into everyday family life, warning only a small share of New Zealand-born Cook Islanders know the heritage language and urging urgent support for future generations. Arts & culture spotlight: Will Crummer is named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards, celebrating decades of work preserving Cook Islands music and language. Science-meets-storytelling: NOAA’s 2026 Cook Islands deep-sea survey found large fossil megalodon teeth on the ocean floor, with the teeth collected during ROV dives near the islands. Community health & entertainment: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in Wellington features Dame Lynda Topp and Cook Islands cultural performances to support life-saving screening.

OFC Champions League (Cook Islands): Tupapa Maraerenga FC are set for a tough start in Group B against Fiji champions Rewa FC next week, with midfielder Kima Webb saying the side is excited for the higher level and ready to compete, after building chemistry across New Zealand and Rarotonga. Watch & schedule: The tournament runs in Fiji with matches streamed live and free on DAZN/FIFA+, including Lae City vs Tupapa (Aug 9) and Rewa vs Tupapa (Aug 12). Cook Islands language revival: Cook Islands Māori Language Week is pushing families and communities to reconnect with te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, as experts warn only a small share of New Zealand-born Cook Islanders know the language and call for urgent support. Arts & culture spotlight: A Pacific-themed emerging artist, Morgan Hogg, won an award at Australia’s Murray Art Museum Albury photography prize, while the main $40,000 photography winner Paul Knight captured domestic life through a “Chamber Music” series. Science meets storytelling: NOAA’s Cook Islands deep-sea survey found several large megalodon shark teeth on the ocean floor, with researchers planning chemical analysis to learn more about ancient marine life.

Cook Islands Māori Language Week: Communities across Aotearoa are rallying to protect and pass on te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, with leaders warning the language needs urgent support to survive for future generations. Cook Islands Music: Will Crummer is named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, celebrating decades of work preserving Cook Islands music and bringing its sounds to wider audiences. Sports Streaming for Fans: The OFC Men’s Champions League (featuring Tupapa Maraerenga FC) will be streamed live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN from Fiji, with matches accessible using a FIFA ID. Aitutaki in the Spotlight: A travel feature spotlights Aitutaki’s lagoon life and local stays, including Resort Tava’e, as a “South Pacific dream” getaway. Ocean Discovery: NOAA reports several megalodon shark teeth found during a Cook Islands deep-sea survey, adding fresh clues to the ancient giant’s world. Community & Health: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s Beehive Ball in Wellington brings major entertainers together to support life-saving screening.

Cook Islands Māori Language Week: Communities in Aotearoa are rallying to protect and pass on te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, with leaders warning the language is at a critical point and urging families, institutions and governments to step up. Breast cancer fundraiser: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in New Zealand Parliament (Aug 8) brings major entertainers including Dame Lynda Topp and Cook Islands cultural performers to support life-saving screening. OFC Champions League on FIFA+: Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Cook Islands) is among the clubs set for the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League, streamed live and free via FIFA+ on DAZN from Fiji. Football in exile: Afghan Women United reunite in New Zealand and play two friendlies against the Cook Islands after FIFA recognition, highlighting resilience after Taliban restrictions. Ocean science meets pop culture: NOAA’s Cook Islands deep-sea survey reports several megalodon teeth on the seafloor, with researchers planning chemical analysis. Sports politics ripple: FIFA’s Infantino sell-off plan fallout continues, with OFC set to discuss the proposal on Aug 12.

Cook Islands Māori Language Week: A new push to bring te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani back into everyday family life is gaining momentum, with community leaders warning the language is at a critical low point. Community voices: Dr Ake Nicholas says only about 3% of New Zealand-born Cook Islanders know the heritage language, urging communities, governments and institutions to step up support—while reminding learners they shouldn’t feel shame for not growing up speaking it. Sports on the horizon (Cook Islands in focus): The OFC Men’s Champions League is set to be streamed live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN, with Tupapa Maraerenga FC representing the Cook Islands. Culture & music: Cook Islands music legend Will Crummer has been named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards. Science meets local spotlight: NOAA’s 2026 Cook Islands ROV exploration reports fossil megalodon teeth found on the seafloor, with the teeth collected during dives near the islands.

OFC Football: The Oceania Football Confederation has locked in August 12 for crunch talks on FIFA’s controversial sell-off plan, with Cook Islands among the 11 member associations set to attend. Cook Islands Sports on Screen: The OFC Men’s Champions League (including Tupapa Maraerenga FC) will be streamed live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN from Fiji, with matches accessible through a FIFA ID. Breast Cancer Fundraiser: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in Wellington (Aug 8) brings together Dame Lynda Topp, The Lady Killers and Cook Islands cultural performers to support life-saving screening. Cook Islands Language Week: Communities across Aotearoa are marking Cook Islands Māori Language Week (Aug 2–8) with events calling people to protect and pass on te reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani. Music Legacy: Will Crummer has been named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards, celebrating decades of Cook Islands music in Aotearoa. Ocean Discovery: NOAA’s Cook Islands deep-sea survey reports several megalodon teeth found on the seafloor, adding fresh clues from the region’s ancient past.

Afghan Women’s Football in Exile: After FIFA’s April ruling opened the door for official representation, Afghan Women United reunited in New Zealand for a training camp and two friendlies against the Cook Islands—an emotional return to the pitch for players who were barred from organised sport under the Taliban. Oceans & Discovery: NOAA reports megalodon teeth were found on the ocean floor during a Cook Islands ROV exploration, with experts linking the large fossil teeth to the ancient giant shark and highlighting what they can reveal about past marine environments. Cook Islands in Football Spotlight: The BBC documentary Afghan Reunited: The Fight For Football follows defender Najma Arefi’s journey from asylum in Doncaster to reuniting with her Afghan teammates for matches that included the Cook Islands. Sport on Screen: The OFC Men’s Champions League is set to stream live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN from Fiji, featuring Cook Islands’ Tupapa Maraerenga FC among the eight clubs. Pacific Music Recognition: Cook Islands legend Will Crummer is named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards, celebrating decades of preserving and sharing Cook Islands music.

OFC Champions League Streaming: Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Cook Islands) is among eight Oceania clubs set to play in the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji, with every match streamed live and free on FIFA+ via DAZN—fans just need a FIFA ID to watch. Cook Islands Sports Spotlight: Cook Islands bowler Emily Jim wrapped up her Glasgow 2026 singles campaign with a win in the second set before falling in the deciding set, finishing 17th overall; the men’s pairs team of Epii Poila and Jason Lindsay also ended their run after a close tiebreak loss. Commonwealth Games Culture & Pride: Cook Islands decathlete Max Teuruaa sits in record-potential territory after five events, while Samasoni Mose Hewitt reached the high jump final despite injury, finishing 14th and stressing lessons learned for future comeback. Pacific Music Legacy: Rarotonga-born musician Will Crummer has been named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards, celebrating decades of preserving Cook Islands music and Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani. Language Week: Cook Islands Māori Language Week runs 2–8 August in Aotearoa, with communities calling to protect and pass on te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani for future generations. Voyaging Update: The Moananuiākea Voyage has been extended by a year as El Niño and climate change raise risks for traditional sailing routes, with stops planned across the Pacific including the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands Language Week: Communities across Aotearoa are kicking off ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Airani’ (2–8 Aug), with a push to protect and pass on Cook Islands Māori for future generations, including events in Tokoroa and Wellington led by the Cook Islands High Commission. Cook Islands Music: Rarotonga-born legend Will Crummer is named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards, honoured for decades of work with the Royal Rarotongans and for helping preserve Cook Islands music and Te Reo Kūki ‘Āirani. Commonwealth Games (Cook Islands sport): As Glasgow wrapped up, Cook Islands bowler Emily Jim finished 17th in women’s singles, while the men’s pairs team of Epii Poila and Jason Lindsay ended 21st. Pacific Culture & Performance: Te Kiwa Nui 2026 returns to Porirua (4, 5 and 7 Aug) for three days of Māori and Pacific youth performance, language, storytelling and dance. Tech for the Pacific (Cook Islands): Sony’s underwater imaging tech is being adapted for deep-sea UHD live-streaming from Cook Islands waters, supporting ocean science and education.

Commonwealth Games (Glasgow) Wrap: Cook Islands sport made its mark as Emily Jim finished 17th in women’s singles bowls, while the men’s pairs of Epii Poila and Jason Lindsay ended 21st after a tight tiebreak loss. Cook Islands at the Games: Max Teuruaa put himself in record-range in the decathlon after five events, and Samasoni Mose Hewitt reached the high jump final despite injury, finishing 14th. Pacific Music Spotlight: Cook Islands legend Will Crummer has been named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Pacific Music Awards, celebrating decades of preserving and sharing Cook Islands Māori music. Language & Culture: Cook Islands Māori Language Week runs 2–8 August, with a call to protect te reo Māori Kūki ’Āirani and pass it on through community events across Aotearoa. Ocean Tech & Imaging: Sony’s underwater imaging push is getting a Cook Islands boost, with a modified camera system built for live-streaming UHD from deep-sea expeditions. Cultural Youth Festival: Te Kiwa Nui 2026 returns for three days in Porirua, bringing Māori and Pacific youth together for waiata, kapa haka, dance, storytelling and language.

Commonwealth Games wrap (Glasgow): The 2026 Commonwealth Games closed with India handing over the host flag for 2030, while Pacific athletes left big marks—Seine Stowers and Taniela Rainibogi took gold for Pacific nations, and Cook Islands bowler Emily Jim finished 17th after a tight final match. Cook Islands at the Games: Emily Jim’s singles run ended in a deciding-set loss, while the men’s pairs (Epii Poila and Jason Lindsay) bowed out after a close tiebreak against Namibia; decathlete Max Teuruaa also set up a possible national record after five events. Pacific music honour: Cook Islands legend Will Crummer has been named the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, celebrating decades of work with the Royal Rarotongans and efforts to keep te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani alive. Language & culture push: Cook Islands Māori Language Week runs 2–8 August in Aotearoa, with communities calling for the next generation to carry the language forward. Te Kiwa Nui 2026: The Māori and Pacific youth festival returns in Porirua for three days of waiata, kapa haka, dance, storytelling and language learning. Voyaging update: The Moananuiākea Voyage has been extended by a year as weather risks rise across the Western North Pacific, reshaping stops for Hokule‘a and Hikianalia. Underwater tech spotlight: Sony’s modified underwater imaging setup is helping DeepSea Power & Light and OET live-stream UHD ocean exploration from the Cook Islands.

Commonwealth Games wrap: Cook Islands lawn bowls ended with brave fights in Glasgow as women’s singles bowler Emily Jim pushed Australian gold medallist Elle Fife, winning the second set before going down, finishing 17th overall, while the men’s pairs of Epii Poila and Jason Lindsay finished 21st after a tight tiebreak loss to Namibia. Cook Islands language & culture: Te Kiwa Nui 2026 returns for three days in Porirua, bringing tamariki and rangatahi together for waiata, kapa haka, Pacific dance, storytelling and language learning. Music honour: Trailblazing Cook Islands musician Will Crummer is set to receive the 2026 Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of shaping Pacific music in Aotearoa. Language week call: Cook Islands Māori Language Week (2–8 August) urges the diaspora and communities across Aotearoa to protect and pass on te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani for future generations. Voyaging update: Moananuiākea Voyage extends by a year as Hokule‘a and Hikianalia reroute due to elevated weather risks in the Western North Pacific. Local life & travel: Cook Islands travel rules are easing, with RATs replacing PCRs for travellers from New Zealand and MIQ no longer required.