AGP Executive Report

Rugby League: The Cook Islands Aitu face Australia in their final World Cup pool match in Townsville, with Kangaroos forward Cameron Murray ruled out late. Youth Sport: Cook Islands beach handball teams have arrived in Dakar for the Youth Olympics, returning to the Games after a 16-year break and representing Oceania in both competitions. Va’a: Rarotonga will host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships, expected to draw more than 1,500 competitors from over 50 countries. Arts & Culture: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, while the Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti named its 2026 writers fellowship class. Kickboxing: Pukapuka’s Scholar Ngatokorua defended his title in Rarotonga, extending his unbeaten record to 13 wins.

Rugby League: The Cook Islands Aitu face Australia in their final World Cup pool match on Saturday. They’ll look to build on a brave start against New Zealand, where Esom Ioka scored a quick hat-trick before the Kiwis pulled away to win 82–16. Pacific Arts: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, while the Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti named five writers for its 2026 fellowship, supporting new Pacific stories for television. Va’a: Rarotonga will host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships, welcoming at least 1,500 paddlers from more than 50 countries. Cook Islands Sport: Kickboxer Scholar Ngatokorua defended his middleweight title at home, extending his unbeaten record to 13 wins. Team Cook Islands has also begun arriving in Dakar for the Youth Olympic Games, where its athletes will compete in beach handball, aquatics and triathlon.

Rugby League: The Kangaroos face the Cook Islands Aitu in Townsville on Saturday, October 31, in their final group match of the World Cup. Australia has named Tom Dearden at halfback, with Ethan Strange in line for his debut. Pacific Leadership: A Cook Islands athlete is among 19 former elite sportswomen selected for the Wāhine Toa Oceania programme, which supports women moving into leadership roles. Combat Sports: Pukapuka’s Scholar Ngatokorua defended his kickboxing title in Rarotonga, extending his unbeaten record to 13 wins. Va’a: Rarotonga will host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships, expected to draw at least 1,500 paddlers from more than 50 countries. Film and Writing: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, while the Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti named five writers for its 2026 fellowship.

Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with free screenings—including in the Cook Islands—featuring Pacific-made films and sparking discussion through talanoa sessions. Pasifika Writers: The PEAK Writers Fellowship named five emerging writers for its 2026 cohort, offering mentorship and industry development to help bring Pasifika stories to screen. Va’a Hosting: Rarotonga will welcome the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships, with at least 1,500 paddlers expected from more than 50 countries.

Va’a Milestone: Rarotonga will host the 2028 IVF World Distance Championships, welcoming at least 1,500 paddlers from more than 50 countries. Team Cook Islands: The country’s 13 athletes have begun arriving in Dakar for the Youth Olympic Games, competing in beach handball, aquatics and triathlon. World Cup: The Aitu face Australia on Saturday after their brave start against New Zealand, highlighted by Esom Ioka’s rapid hat-trick, ended in an 82–16 defeat. Pacific Screen and Storytelling: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included Cook Islands screenings, drew more than 2,500 people across the region; meanwhile, Pasifika writers are among those selected for Netflix-supported mentorship through the PEAK Writers Fellowship.

Va’a Milestone: Rarotonga will host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships, welcoming at least 1,500 paddlers from more than 50 countries. Organisers expect the event to draw over 2,000 visitors, bringing a boost to local businesses. Youth Games: Team Cook Islands has arrived in Dakar for the Youth Olympic Games, which begin October 31. Thirteen athletes will compete in beach handball, aquatics and triathlon, with swimmers Alicia Story and Carter Makira carrying the flag. Aitu Highlights: Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka lit up the Rugby League World Cup with a hat-trick in just eight minutes against New Zealand, giving the Aitu a brief lead before they fell 82-16. Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival reached audiences across the Cook Islands and the region, drawing more than 2,500 people to screenings and discussions.

Cook Islands Rugby: Aitu winger Esom Ioka stunned the Kiwis with three tries in eight minutes, briefly putting the Cook Islands ahead before New Zealand pulled away to win 82-16. Coach Karmichael Hunt praised the team’s spirited start; Australia is next. Pacific Screen: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with screenings in the Cook Islands. Its programme highlighted women-led films, motherhood and younger generations, with screenings and talanoa sessions wrapping up at the end of October. Pasifika Storytelling: The PEAK Writers Fellowship named five emerging writers for mentorship and career support, helping Pasifika creators bring their stories to television.

Rugby League World Cup: The Cook Islands face Australia on Saturday after an 82–16 loss to New Zealand, where winger Esom Ioka’s eight-minute hat-trick gave fans a thrilling early lead. Pacific Storytelling: The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti named five emerging writers for its 2026 fellowship, supported by Netflix and offering mentorship and industry connections. Pacific Film: More than 2,500 people across the region took part in the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included screenings in the Cook Islands and featured Pacific-made films alongside international selections. NRL Bid: Mana Pasifika hopes to join the league in 2029, with plans for home games in the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

Pasifika Screenwriting: The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti has named five emerging writers for its 2026 fellowship, backed by Netflix. The programme offers mentorship and industry development to help Pasifika storytellers bring their work to television. Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with free screenings in the Cook Islands and other Pacific communities. This year’s programme spotlighted films led by women, motherhood and younger generations.

Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival has drawn more than 2,500 people across the region, with free screenings in the Cook Islands among its programme of Pacific-made and international films exploring human rights. Rugby League: Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka’s eight-minute hat-trick briefly put the Aitu ahead before New Zealand won 82–16. The Cook Islands face Australia in their final World Cup group match on Saturday.

Rugby League World Cup: Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka’s eight-minute hat-trick briefly put the Aitu ahead, but New Zealand won 82–16. The team faces Australia on Saturday, October 31, in its final group match. Pacific Film: More than 2,500 people took part in the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included screenings in the Cook Islands and highlighted Pacific-made films and women filmmakers. Local Sevens: Five men’s clubs are preparing for the RARO 7s, set for November 5–7, with Avatiu Eels tipped as a team to watch.

Rugby League World Cup: The Cook Islands Aitu fell 82–16 to New Zealand in Christchurch after Esom Ioka’s stunning eight-minute hat-trick briefly put them ahead. Captain KL Iro said the team would regroup for its final pool match against Australia. Youth Football: Cook Islands’ under-15 side lost 10–0 to Benin at the World Cup and Festival in Baku. Netball: A 15-player, locally based Cook Islands squad has been named for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane, coached by former national captain Luciana Nicholas. Combat Sports: Rarotonga hosted the Pacific Combat Fight Series, with undefeated local kickboxer Scholar Ngatokorua among the headline fighters.

Rugby League World Cup: Cook Islands stunned New Zealand with three tries in eight minutes to lead 16–12, before the Kiwis rallied for an 82–16 win in front of 24,868 fans. Winger Esom Ioka scored a hat-trick in a spirited Aitu performance. Combat Sports: International fighters arrived in Rarotonga for the Pacific Combat Fight Series, bringing kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing and grappling to the National Sports Arena. Netball: Netball Cook Islands named a 15-player, locally based squad for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane, coached by former national captain Luciana Nicholas. Local Rugby: Avatiu Eels look like the team to beat at today’s Super 7s, after winning all five games at the recent Fiji Day tournament. The event is a final tune-up for next month’s RARO 7s.

Combat Sports: International fighters from Australia and New Zealand join Cook Islands athletes in Rarotonga for the Pacific Combat Fight Series, featuring kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing and grappling. Undefeated local kickboxer Scholar Ngatokorua headlines the card. Rugby League: The Cook Islands Aitu face New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday, seeking a response after a 40–12 opening loss to Fiji. The match is part of a World Cup double-header with the Kiwi Ferns and France. Netball: A 15-player, locally based Cook Islands squad has been named for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane, coached by former national captain Luciana Nicholas. Waka Ama: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from a three-day regatta on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.

Combat Sports: International fighters have arrived in Rarotonga for tonight’s Pacific Combat Fight Series at the National Sports Arena, where Cook Islands athletes will compete in kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing and grappling. Netball: Netball Cook Islands has named a 15-player, locally based squad for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane; the team opens against Samoa. Basketball: Cook Islands debutant Hunter Bates is set to represent the men’s team at the FIBA Polynesian Cup, with a place at the Pacific Games a key goal. Rugby League: After a 40–12 opening loss to Fiji, the Aitu face New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday. Pacific teams are drawing strong crowds and showcasing the growing pull of Pasifika rugby league. Paddling and Pickleball: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from an Australian regatta, while Pickleball Cook Islands reports record league participation after winning the country’s first international medals in the sport.

Cook Islands Basketball: Rarotonga guard Hunter Bates is set for his national-team debut at the FIBA Polynesian Cup in Tahiti, as the Cook Islands chase a return to the Pacific Games after a 19-year absence. Fight Night: Local fighters take on competitors from New Zealand and Australia at Pacific Combat Fight Series 2026, featuring kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai and grappling at Rarotonga’s Telecom Sports Arena. Paddling: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from the Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta in Australia. Growing Game: Pickleball Cook Islands reports record league participation, with more than 60 players and three divisions this season. Food and Music: Rarotonga’s popular progressive dinner serves local favourites such as ika mata and rukau at residents’ homes, with ukulele music and singing along the way.