AGP Executive Report

Sports & Ability: Tauranga’s 13-year-old Teddy Hirini tackled the Zespri AIMS Games rock climbing wall with a pilot guiding him by earpiece—finishing 25th out of 42 Year 8 boys despite the venue noise. Cook Islands Sport Leadership: CISNOC Secretary General Geoffrey Halston has completed the first in-person session of the IOC-supported Executive Masters in Sport Organisation Management (MEMOS), bringing governance and strategy training back to Cook Islands sport. Environment & Ocean Protection: Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants for tropical Pacific conservation, including projects in the Cook Islands, with support for marine protected area proposals under the UN High Seas Treaty. Golf in the Region: The 2026 Pacific Cup is launched in Tahiti (Sept 23–27), with the Cook Islands sending nine athletes as a test event ahead of the 2027 Pacific Games. Tourism Awards: Cook Islands Tourism has named 25 finalists for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with public voting open until Sept 22. Netball World Cup: Cook Islands netball missed qualification for Sydney 2027 after a 50–72 loss to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier.

Cook Islands Netball: The Cook Islands netball team missed out on the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, falling 50–72 to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier after earlier losses to Tonga and Fiji and a win over Papua New Guinea—while Samoa secured qualification with a 72–50 win over the Cook Islands. Regional Sport Spotlight: The 2026 Pacific Cup is officially launched in Tahiti (Sept 23–27), with Cook Islands athletes among the nine-strong squad, plus Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand, serving as a test event for the 2027 Pacific Games. Music & Culture: Ōtautahi’s The Big Fresh Collective announced two Footmahi 2026 World Cup launch parties (Oct 25), with a special send-off for DJ/producer Liam K. Swiggs ahead of his retirement. Media & Tech: A Pacific Media summit in Fiji stressed that AI must support journalists without replacing human judgement, with speakers calling for human-in-the-loop checks and strong editorial standards. Tourism Awards: 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.

Netball World Cup build-up: Tonga and Samoa have both secured 2027 Netball World Cup spots after the Oceania qualifier in Nuku’alofa, with Tonga topping the table undefeated and Samoa punching their ticket with a 72-50 win over the Cook Islands. Cook Islands netball setback: The Cook Islands missed qualification after falling 50-72 to Samoa in their final match, despite a strong fight and earlier wins. Fiji Pearls miss out: Fiji’s Crest Fiji Pearls also failed to qualify, losing again in Tonga and finishing third in Oceania. Music & community: The Big Fresh Collective (Footmahi) announces two Footmahi 2026 World Cup launch parties, including a Galaxy Bar night on 25 October, as DJ/producer Liam K. Swiggs prepares to retire. Film spotlight (Cook Islands): Ruta Mave highlights Cook Islands short films and the push to tell Polynesian stories from navigation to modern screen. Tourism awards: Cook Islands Tourism opens voting for the 2026 People’s Choice “Kia Orana Champions” with 25 finalists, including a new Innovation Icon category. Media & AI: A Pacific Media summit argues AI must support journalists without replacing human judgement, with Pasifika AI creators warning systems can’t speak for communities without a mandate.

Road Running & Community Sport: Rarotonga’s Round Rarotonga (49th edition) delivered a new course record, with Jayden Hunter clocking 2:03:16 to win the 31km event. Netball World Cup Qualifiers: Cook Islands’ campaign fell short in the Oceania qualifier, losing to Samoa 50–72 and Fiji 63–65, while Samoa and Tonga booked Sydney 2027 spots. Film & Storytelling: Cook Islands short films get a spotlight in Ruta Mave’s reflection on telling Polynesian stories from navigation heroes to modern screens. Tourism Awards: 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 a new Innovation Icon category. Music & Performance: Wellington comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings a second solo show, Orin Performs Performative Stand-Up Comedy, using satire to turn politics into the punchline. Sports Development: Apii Nikao School in Rarotonga made it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking the overall title again.

Media & AI: Pacific Media Summit speakers say AI must support journalists, not replace them, with “human-in-the-loop” checks, transparency to audiences, and strong verification to protect trust. Cook Islands Film & Storytelling: Ruta Mave argues Pacific stories—from navigational heroes to modern retellings—deserve a bigger screen voice, while Cook Islands short films spotlight “our voices, our vision.” Netball (Cook Islands): Cook Islands miss out on the 2027 Netball World Cup after losing to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier; they fought hard in close matches but fell short as Tonga and Samoa secured the top spots. Local Sports & Youth: Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School makes it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking home the overall title and bringing back cultural and sporting learning. Tourism Awards: Cook Islands Tourism opens voting for the 2026 People’s Choice “Kia Orana Champions,” with 25 finalists and a new Innovation Icon category. Arts & Culture (Comms): Pasifika comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland, turning the performance of politics into the punchline.

Entrepreneurship & Sport: Cook Islands-linked pro footballer Maro Bonsu-Maro says he “made his own door” after stigma around South Auckland—turning that drive into Best Grip socks now worn by 20,000+ athletes worldwide. Music & Youth: Whanganui High School’s Ngā Hau e Whā won the Smokefree Tangata Beats national title, with standout solo-duo vocals and a band built around te reo Māori identity and student-made tracks. Film & Storytelling: Ruta Mave argues Polynesian stories and navigational heroes deserve more space on screen, calling out how Western retellings have long reshaped who gets to be “the hero.” Netball (Cook Islands): Cook Islands missed out on the 2027 Netball World Cup after Oceania Qualifier losses to Tonga and Samoa; the team still praised its fight and growth. Comedy: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland with a show that turns politics-as-performance into the punchline. Digital Media: Justus Leaoseve’s $500 camera sparked a path into digital storytelling and video production. Tourism Awards: Voting is open for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with a new Innovation Icon category.

Entrepreneurship & Sport: Maro Bonsu-Maro turned South Auckland stigma into a global business, launching Best Grip socks from his Māngere East garage in 2020 and now seeing them worn by 20,000+ athletes worldwide. Music & Identity: Whanganui High School’s Ngā Hau e Whā won the Smokefree Tangata Beats national title, with standout solo-duo vocals and a band built around te reo Māori and Pasifika expression. Film & Storytelling: Ruta Mave argues Cook Islands and wider Polynesian stories deserve the spotlight, from ancestor navigation epics to modern film retellings that finally centre Pacific voices. Health & Climate: A report warns Auckland’s warming could help malaria and dengue “thrive” as mosquito and other vector conditions become more favourable. Netball (Cook Islands): Cook Islands missed Netball World Cup qualification after falling to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier, despite heart-stopping fights and late comebacks. Comedy: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland with a show that turns the performance of politics into the punchline. Sports Development: Apii Nikao School made it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, bringing home the overall title and cultural learning alongside sport.

Netball World Cup fallout: Cook Islands netball’s Oceania Qualifier run ended with a 50–72 loss to Samoa, dashing hopes of the 2027 Sydney World Cup; the team had earlier gone close against Fiji (63–65) and were praised for heart and composure despite the margins. Netball World Cup qualifiers (region): Samoa and Tonga opened with wins in Nuku’alofa, setting up a tight race for the two World Cup spots. Rugby League World Cup training links: The Central Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Complex at Tuggerah is set to host multiple Rugby League World Cup teams, with Cook Islands men’s team among those using the venue. Cook Islands tourism awards: Te Mato Manava Tūroto has named 25 finalists for the Kia Orana Champions People’s Choice Awards, with voting open until 22 September and a new Innovation Icon category. Arts & culture spotlight: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland’s Basement Theatre, turning the performance of politics into the joke. Film & creativity: A Fijian-led 48-hour People of Pasifika challenge saw teams from the Cook Islands and across the Pacific race to write, shoot and edit short films under tight rules.

Netball World Cup Qualifier: Cook Islands’ campaign for Sydney 2027 ended after a 50–72 loss to Samoa, following earlier defeats to Tonga and Fiji and a win over Papua New Guinea—Netball Cook Islands said the team fought hard even as the scoreboard didn’t go their way. Netball World Cup Qualifier (earlier match): Cook Islands also narrowly went down 63–65 to Fiji in Nuku’alofa, with the side leading at halftime and calling it an “absolute heart-stopper.” Tourism People’s Choice Awards: Cook Islands Tourism has opened voting for the Kia Orana Champions, naming 25 finalists for the 2026 People’s Choice Awards (voting runs until 12pm, Sept 22) after more than 12,000 votes in the first 24 hours. Sports & youth: Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School claimed a third straight title at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking home the overall championship and highlighting cultural and sporting learning beyond the win. Arts & culture (comedy): Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland’s Basement Theatre with a new solo show built around “performative” politics. Film: Fiji’s Team Tideframe took part in the POP48 48-hour film challenge, where Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands crews had to write, shoot and edit short films under tight conditions.

Rugby League World Cup coaching buzz: Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne is set to join Fiji’s 2026 Rugby League World Cup coaching staff, returning to the Bati after earlier mentoring work in 2024. Netball World Cup heartbreak (Cook Islands): Cook Islands netball missed out on the 2027 Sydney World Cup after a 50–72 loss to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier, despite a strong fight and earlier wins over Papua New Guinea. Netball World Cup qualifiers (Fiji): Fiji’s Crest Pearls also fell short, losing again in Tonga as Samoa and Tonga secured the two Oceania spots. Tourism awards open for voting: Cook Islands Tourism has named 25 finalists for the Kia Orana Champions People’s Choice Awards, with voting now open until 22 September. Local arts & comedy: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland’s Basement Theatre with his second solo show. Film race across the Pacific: Teams from the Cook Islands and beyond tackled the POP48 48-hour film challenge, including Fiji’s Team Tideframe. Sports development spotlight: Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School claimed a third straight title at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp. Music events: Tami Neilson, Annie Crummer and Will Crummer join the Jubilation gospel choir for early-summer singalongs at The Hollywood in Avondale.

Rugby League World Cup: Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne is set to join Fiji’s 2026 Rugby League World Cup coaching staff, returning to the Bati after earlier coaching and mentoring work in 2024. Netball (Cook Islands): Cook Islands’ netball campaign fell short in the Oceania qualifiers, losing to Samoa and missing out on the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney; the team says the fight and composure still showed real growth. Netball (Fiji): Fiji Pearls also face a tough road after failing to qualify, with transition committee chair Vasiti Vugakoto insisting the rebuild is on track. Tourism Awards: 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 a new Innovation Icon category. Local Sport & Youth: Apii Nikao School in Rarotonga claimed a third straight title at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking home more than just trophies. Arts & Culture: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political frustration to the stage with a satire show in Auckland. Film & Creativity: A Pasifika 48-hour film challenge in Fiji pushed crews from the region to write, shoot and edit culture-themed shorts under extreme pressure.

Cook Islands Netball: The Cook Islands missed out on Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 qualification after a 50–72 loss to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier, following earlier defeats to Tonga and Fiji; despite the tough scores, Netball Cook Islands said the team fought hard and kept composure. Cook Islands Sports: Apii Nikao School’s Rarotonga squad made it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, winning the overall title and taking home new skills through outdoor training and Māori games. Arts & Culture (Comedy): Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland’s Basement Theatre with “Orin Performs Performative Stand-Up Comedy,” turning the language of politics into the joke. Film & Storytelling: Fiji’s Team Tideframe competed in the People of Pasifika 48-hour Film Challenge, where crews from across the region had to write, shoot and edit a short film under intense wet-season pressure. Tourism Awards: Cook Islands Tourism has opened voting for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata People’s Choice Awards, with 25 finalists and Kia Orana Champions up for grabs.

Cook Islands Netball: Cook Islands’ World Cup dream for Sydney 2027 ended after a 50–72 loss to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier, following earlier defeats to Tonga and Fiji—though Netball Cook Islands said the team’s fight and composure showed real growth. Cook Islands Tourism: Te Mato Manava Tūroto has opened voting for the 2026 People’s Choice Awards, with 25 Kia Orana Champions finalists and more than 12,000 votes already cast in the first day. Rarotonga Sports: Apii Nikao School claimed a third straight title at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking home the overall championship and bringing home cultural and sporting lessons. Pacific Arts & Film: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland’s Basement Theatre, while Fiji’s POP48 48-hour film challenge showcased a Cook Islands–Fiji–Samoa–Solomons mix of fast, culture-led filmmaking. Digital Storytelling: Justus Leaoseve’s rise from a $500 camera to co-founding We Hate Media highlights how local creators are building media careers. International Spotlight: Former Shortland Street star Dominic Ona-Ariki lands his first major US role in Spa Weekend, a big career milestone for the Cook Islands actor.

Netball World Cup Qualifier: Cook Islands’ netball campaign continues to hinge on results after a tight 63–65 loss to Fiji, following an earlier 55–81 defeat to Tonga; with two matches left, they must bounce back fast to keep Sydney 2027 hopes alive. Netball World Cup Qualifier (Oceania): Tonga Tala opened at home with an 81–55 win over Cook Islands, while Samoa beat Papua New Guinea 72–56 in the same Nuku’alofa tournament that decides two World Cup spots. Transition & rebuild (Fiji Pearls): Despite missing the 2027 Netball World Cup, Fiji Pearls chair Vasiti Vugakoto says the transition plan is still on track, pointing to a short rebuild timeline and the need for a multi-year development pathway. Tourism awards: Cook Islands Tourism has opened voting for the 2026 Kia Orana Champions People’s Choice Awards, with 25 finalists and more than 12,000 votes already in the first day. Local sport (youth): Rarotonga’s Apii Nikao School made it a three-peat at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking the overall title and bringing home lessons beyond the scoreboard. Arts & culture (comedy): Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley turns political frustration into satire with a new solo show in Auckland. Film (Pacific creativity): Fiji’s Team Tideframe reflects on the People of Pasifika 48-hour Film Challenge, where crews from across the region raced to write, shoot and edit short films under pressure. Fashion: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marks its 10-year milestone at New Zealand Fashion Week, celebrating Pasifika legacy and future promise.

Netball World Cup Qualifiers: Cook Islands’ campaign is hanging by a thread after a 63–65 loss to Fiji, following an earlier 55–81 defeat to Tonga; they led 36–32 at halftime but missed out by two in a nail-biter, and now must win their last two matches (vs Papua New Guinea and Samoa) to keep 2027 Sydney hopes alive. Oceania Rugby & Sport Spotlight: Tonga Tala opened the Oceania Netball qualifier with an 81–55 win over Cook Islands, while Fiji’s Pearls also missed out on Sydney qualification after losing again to Tonga; Fiji’s Oceania qualifier schedule now ends without a World Cup berth. Tourism People’s Choice: Cook Islands Tourism has opened voting for the 2026 Kia Orana Champions, with 25 finalists chosen from 464 nominations and more than 12,000 votes already cast in the first day. Arts & Culture: Kūki comedian Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland’s Basement Theatre, turning frustration with politics into stand-up. Film & Community: The POP48 48-hour Pacific film challenge wrapped with teams from Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands racing to write, shoot and edit culture-themed shorts under tight rules.

Rugby League World Cup countdown: With a month to go, the Oct 15 Kangaroos v Kiwis opener at Allianz Stadium is set to be the biggest Sydney international rugby league clash in years, with Cook Islands named for a key Oct 18 meeting against Fiji. Netball World Cup qualifiers: Cook Islands’ campaign is on a knife-edge after a 63–65 loss to Fiji, following an earlier 55–81 defeat to Tonga; they must win their remaining matches to stay in contention. Pacific sport development: Apii Nikao School in Rarotonga has made it three straight at Auckland’s Y Sports Camp, taking the overall title and bringing home more than medals—new games, cultural learning and resilience. Handball in Wellington: Cook Islands women are competing in the inaugural Oceania Nations Trophy, facing New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Kiribati and Tahiti. Pasifika arts & culture: Kūki comedian Orin Ruaine-Pratley brings political satire to Auckland’s Basement Theatre, turning frustration into stand-up. Fashion milestone: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marks 10 years at New Zealand Fashion Week, celebrating Pasifika designers and heritage.