AGP Executive Report

Netball World Cup Qualifier: Tonga opened the Oceania qualifier in Nuku’alofa with an 81–55 win over the Cook Islands, while Samoa beat Papua New Guinea 72–56—two World Cup spots in Sydney 2027 are up for grabs across Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands and PNG. School Sport Spotlight: A record Cook Islands contingent headed to New Zealand’s Zespri AIMS Games in Tauranga, with Apii Avarua’s Rip Rugby team winning nine of 12 matches and multiple schools competing across badminton, tennis and more. Handball in Wellington: Cook Islands women’s senior team is in the inaugural Oceania Continent Handball Federation IHF Nations Trophy (Sept 10–14), joining New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Kiribati and Tahiti. Fashion & Culture: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marked a 10-year milestone at New Zealand Fashion Week, celebrating Pasifika designers and runway representation. Sporting Pathways: Pickleball’s Pacific boom is building clubs and pathways across New Zealand, with Pacific-led players pushing toward bigger competition.

Netball World Cup Qualifiers: Five Oceania teams have gathered in Tonga for two Sydney 2027 spots, with hosts Tonga facing Samoa, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea in a tight round-robin. Team Focus: Fiji coach Michelle Parsons is urging “new best” performances as the Pearls open against the Cook Islands, with no room to experiment across four straight days. Local Sport Spotlight: Tonga’s netball chief says home-soil hosting is a milestone and confidence boost ahead of the qualifier next week. Fashion & Culture: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marked a 10-year milestone at New Zealand Fashion Week, celebrating Pasifika designers and legacy while pushing Pacific models into mainstream runways. Rugby Sevens in Rotorua: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, featuring the Cook Islands in the men’s field and a women’s event that also includes the Cook Islands. Handball in Wellington: Cook Islands women’s senior team is competing in the inaugural Oceania Senior Women’s Handball Championship at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre. Cricket Record: Imran Tahir set a new T20 age record with a five-wicket haul, surpassing Cook Islands spinner Tomakanute Ritawa’s mark. Pickleball Pathways: Pacific-led pickleball clubs in New Zealand are building pathways, with Tongan player Semisi Fanguna aiming for bigger stages.

Netball World Cup Qualifiers: Fiji’s Crest Fiji Pearls coach Michelle Parsons urges players to keep chasing their “new best” as the Oceania campaign begins in Tonga on Sept 15 against the Cook Islands, with Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea following in four straight days. Cook Islands Sports Spotlight: Tonga Netball CEO Salote Sisifa says hosts are confident of one of two World Cup spots, with the Cook Islands among the key rivals in the round-robin that runs to Sept 18. Handball in Wellington: Cook Islands women’s senior team is in the inaugural Oceania Continent Handball Federation IHF Nations Trophy (Sept 10–14), joining New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Kiribati and Tahiti at Ākau Tangi Sports Centre. Rugby Sevens in Rotorua: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, featuring Cook Islands in the men’s Cup and also in the women’s SVNS 3 qualifier. Pasifika Fashion: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marks a 10-year milestone at NZ Fashion Week, celebrating legacy and a new generation of Pacific designers and models. Pickleball Pathways: Pacific-led pickleball clubs in New Zealand are building pathways for young players, with Tongan standout Semisi Fanguna aiming for bigger international stages.

Netball World Cup Qualifier Focus: Fiji Pearls coach Michelle Parsons is urging players to keep chasing their “new best” as the Oceania Regional Qualifiers begin in Tonga on Sept 15, with Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea in a four-day run for two World Cup spots. Cook Islands Sport Spotlight: Tonga’s netball CEO Salote Sisifa says home-soil advantage matters as the Cook Islands join the five-team qualifier field, setting up a tight race for the top two. Fashion & Culture: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marked 10 years at New Zealand Fashion Week, celebrating Pasifika designers and legacy, with Cook Islands model Meiya Lemafa and others pushing representation onto mainstream runways. Rugby Sevens in Rotorua: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, featuring Cook Islands in the men’s and women’s competitions and SVNS 3 qualification places on the line. Handball in Wellington: Cook Islands women’s senior team is competing in the inaugural Oceania Continent Handball Federation IHF Nations Trophy (Sept 10–14), adding another major international step for the code. Pickleball Pathways: Pacific-led pickleball clubs in New Zealand are building pathways for young players, with Tongan star Semisi Fanguna aiming for bigger international stages.

Court Update: Rebels MC member Peter Uelese’s 9kg cocaine operation has had his sentence upheld on appeal, after he was paid $60,000 to retrieve and distribute drugs from a Christchurch container yard. Education Reform: Educators back NCEA tweaks, but many oppose replacing it outright, with consultation analysis showing support for improvement rather than a full overhaul. Fashion & Culture: The Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marked a 10-year milestone at NZ Fashion Week, spotlighting Pasifika designers and the push for Pacific people to stay at the centre of mainstream runways. Netball (Cook Islands in the mix): Tonga hosts Pacific World Cup qualifiers next week with five Pacific teams chasing two spots, including the Cook Islands. Rugby Sevens (Rotorua): Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, with Cook Islands among eight men’s teams and Cook Islands also in the women’s SVNS 3 qualifier. Handball (Wellington): Cook Islands women’s senior team competes in the inaugural Oceania Senior Women’s Handball Championship in Wellington, aiming for a pathway to bigger continental tournaments. Sport Spotlight: Imran Tahir rewrote T20 history as the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul, breaking a record previously held by Cook Islands spinner Tomakanute Ritawa.

Education Reform: An independent analysis of 8,292 submissions on replacing NCEA says most educators and industry want improvements, but many teachers, students and families argue NCEA should be refined, not scrapped. Netball (Cook Islands in focus): Tonga hosts the Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier next week, with five Pacific teams chasing two spots; Cook Islands are among the contenders. Fashion & Culture: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show marks a 10-year milestone at New Zealand Fashion Week, spotlighting Pasifika designers and models including Cook Islands talent. Rugby Sevens (Regional pathway): Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, featuring Cook Islands in the men’s and women’s competitions and with SVNS qualification places on the line. Handball (Cook Islands women): Cook Islands women’s senior team heads to Wellington for the inaugural Oceania Nations Trophy, competing against New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and others. Local Sport: Tupapa Panthers stay unbeaten in Rarotonga Super Club 15s as they face Avatiu Eels, with the “battle of the city” drawing attention.

Pacific Fusion Fashion Show: Pasifika designers and models marked a decade of Pacific artistry at New Zealand Fashion Week, with the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show celebrating “Legacy” and putting Pacific people front and centre. Netball World Cup Qualifier: Tonga is hosting the Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier next week, with five Pacific teams (including the Cook Islands) chasing two spots for Sydney 2027, and Tonga leaning on home-court confidence. Rugby Sevens in Rotorua: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, featuring Cook Islands and other Pacific sides in both men’s and women’s competitions, with SVNS 3 qualification places on the line. Handball in Wellington: Cook Islands women’s senior team are in Wellington for the inaugural Oceania Continent Handball Federation IHF Nations Trophy, competing September 10–14 against New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia and Tahiti. Cook Islands sport spotlight: Tupapa Panthers stay unbeaten in Rarotonga Super Club 15s, facing Avatiu Eels, while the week’s feature match at Victoria Park has TKV Reds taking on Arorangi Bears.

NRL & World Cup Boost: Dragons centre Valentine Holmes is expected to play for the Cook Islands Aitu World Cup campaign after KL Iro confirmed his syndesmosis injury is low-grade and Holmes is “sweet to go.” Oceania Rugby Sevens: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, with the Cook Islands among eight men’s teams and also in the women’s Oceania 7s Women’s Cup. Handball in Wellington: The Cook Islands women’s senior team heads into the inaugural Oceania Senior Women’s Handball Championship (Sept 10–14), chasing continental honours and a pathway to bigger events. Triathlon Pathway: Five Cook Islands triathletes raced at the World Triathlon Regional Cup in Mo’orea as a test event for the 2027 Pacific Games, including Maya Postrzygacz’s personal-best sprint performance. Fashion & Representation: Cook Islands model Meiya Lemafa walked NZ Fashion Week’s Pacific Fusion Fashion Show, pushing Pacific identity into mainstream runways. Sporting Culture: Fiji’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is inviting teams from across the Pacific—including the Cook Islands—to tell their own stories on their own terms.

NRL & World Cup Rugby League: Valentine Holmes is expected to be fit for the Cook Islands Aitu World Cup campaign after KL Iro said the Dragons star’s syndesmosis injury looks low-grade. Rugby Sevens: Rotorua will host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup next month, with the Cook Islands among eight men’s teams and also in the women’s Oceania 7s Women’s Cup. Handball: Cook Islands women’s senior team heads to Wellington for the inaugural Oceania Continent Handball Federation IHF Nations Trophy (Sept 10–14), chasing a continental title and further qualification pathways. Sport Pathways (Pickleball): Pacific-led pickleball clubs in New Zealand are building routes for young players, with Tongan standout Semisi Fanguna aiming for a bigger pro scene overseas. Fashion & Representation: Cook Islands model Meiya Lemafa walked NZ Fashion Week’s Pacific Fusion Fashion Show, spotlighting why Pasifika presence on runways matters. Triathlon: Five Cook Islands triathletes raced the World Triathlon Regional Cup in Mo’orea as a test event for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti. Football (OFC U-16): New Zealand’s late winner Bonnie Rice sent them into the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship semi-finals after a 1-0 win over Fiji.

Pacific Sport Pathways: Pickleball’s Pacific boom is spreading through New Zealand community centres, churches and schools, with Pacific-led clubs in Auckland and players like Tongan-born Semisi Fanguna aiming for a bigger pro scene overseas. Rugby Sevens & Cook Islands in the mix: Rotorua is set to host the 2026 Oceania Rugby 7s Cup, with Cook Islands named among the men’s teams and also in the women’s SVNS 3 qualification race. Cook Islands on the international court: The Cook Islands pickleball team started strong in Da Nang, Vietnam, taking three gold medals and a silver, including Tayla Beddoes’ podium finish in women’s singles. Handball in Wellington: The inaugural Oceania Senior Women’s Handball Championship kicks off in Wellington with Cook Islands among the seven teams chasing qualification steps. Film & storytelling: Pasifika TV’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is underway across Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands, pushing Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories. Tech & youth STEM: Vodafone Cook Islands has renewed support for the Cocobots robotics club ahead of FIRST Global Robotics in South Korea. Community & culture: A major museum transformation update is in the works, with community co-design shaping the reimagined visitor experience.

Museum Transformation: Renfrewshire’s Paisley Museum is set to reopen early next year after a regeneration project led by Renfrewshire Council and OneRen, with redesign input from 1,800 residents and 70+ local groups; fit-out and installs finish by year-end, with 100+ curated displays including Paisley Pattern history and a rare Audubon’s Birds of America copy. Pacific Fashion: Cook Islands model Meiya Lemafa and Samoan plus-size star Apaula Viliamu Tilialo are turning NZ Fashion Week runways into a representation moment, spotlighting Pacific identity through the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show. Cook Islands Sport & Community: The Cook Islands Aitu World Cup campaign gets a boost as Dragons centre Valentine Holmes is expected to be fit after a syndesmosis injury update from teammate KL Iro. Handball in the Region: New Zealand hosts the inaugural Oceania Senior Women’s Handball Championship in Wellington, with Cook Islands among seven teams chasing qualification pathways. Film Challenge (POP48): Pasifika TV’s POP48 48-hour challenge is gearing up across Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands, aiming to put Pacific filmmakers’ voices front and centre. Penrhyn Port Upgrade: The US and NZ announce a US$60m package to upgrade Penrhyn Port, linking outer-island shipping and supporting future deep-sea mining plans.

Fashion & Identity: Cook Islands model Meiya Lemafa and Face of Fusions 2027 winner Apaula Viliamu Tilialo walked NZ Fashion Week via the Pacific Fusion Fashion Show, pushing Pacific representation onto mainstream runways. Sport (Handball): Wellington hosts the Oceania Senior Women’s Handball Championship with seven teams, including Cook Islands, as a pathway toward bigger continental events. Sport (Netball): Tonga kicks off the Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier next week, with Cook Islands and Fiji among five teams chasing two World Cup spots. Film (POP48): Pasifika TV’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is gearing up, with Cook Islands teams joining hosts across the Pacific to tell their own stories and win a masterclass trip to Hawai’i. Tech & Youth (Robotics): Vodafone Cook Islands extends support for the Cocobots as they prepare for the FIRST Global Robotics competition in South Korea. Community Sport (Pickleball): Cook Islands pickleballers start strong in Da Nang, winning multiple medals ahead of the World Cup. Infrastructure (Penrhyn Port): The US and NZ announce a US$60m upgrade package for Penrhyn Port, aiming to boost shipping links and support future deep-sea mineral development.

Cook Islands Infrastructure & Ports: The US and New Zealand have jointly pledged about US$60m (NZ$101.5m) to upgrade Penrhyn Port on the Cook Islands’ northern atoll, aiming to improve shipping links for outer islands and support future deep-sea mineral mining. Pacific Arts & Film: Pasifika TV’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is gearing up, with Cook Islands teams among the hosts—an effort to push Pacific filmmakers to tell their own stories and win audience votes across PCBL platforms. Sports Pathways (Netball): The Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier kicks off in Tonga with Cook Islands, Fiji, PNG, Samoa and hosts Tonga chasing two spots for next year’s World Cup in Australia. Sports Pathways (Triathlon): Five Cook Islands triathletes raced in Mo’orea at the World Triathlon Regional Cup, using the event as a key step toward the 2027 Pacific Games and LA 2028 Olympic qualification. Community Sport (Rugby): Tupapa Panthers stay unbeaten in Rarotonga Super Club 15s, set to face Avatiu Eels again, while Takuvaine Reds host Arorangi Bears at Victoria Park. Arts Spotlight (Fashion/Pageantry): Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna brought Manihiki turquoise and black pearls to the Miss World 2026 World Designer Award, adding Cook Islands culture to the global stage.

Netball Spotlight: The Oceania Netball World Cup qualifier kicks off in Tonga on Monday (14 Sept), with Cook Islands, Fiji, PNG and Samoa chasing two spots alongside hosts Tonga—round-robin runs to 18 Sept, and Cook Islands/Fiji matches follow the opening games. Rugby League Pathways: Fiji is pushing for a Pacific Nines (9s) series with Cook Islands included, plus talks on a 13-a-side tournament modelled on the Pacific Nations Cup—aimed at creating more competitive pathways for island-based players. Cook Islands Sport & Community: Tupapa Panthers host Avatiu Eels in Rarotonga Super Club 15s, while Cook Islands triathletes return from Mo’orea with key Pacific Games-focused experience, and the national pickleball team celebrates historic gold medals in Da Nang. Film & Fashion: The POP48 48-hour film challenge is set to bring Cook Islands teams into a fast-paced Pacific storytelling race, and Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna continues her Miss World run with a Manihiki-inspired gown and cultural spotlight. Tech for Youth: Vodafone extends support for the Cocobots robotics club ahead of FIRST Global in South Korea. Regional News (Cook Islands angle): The US and NZ announce a major Penrhyn Port upgrade package for the Cook Islands, framed as boosting shipping links and supporting future deep-sea minerals.

Pacific Film & Storytelling: Fiji’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is pushing Pacific filmmakers to “tell their own stories,” with teams from Samoa, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands joining Fiji in a four-to-six minute sprint (Sept 4–6), plus a viewer vote and a prize trip to Hawai’i. Cook Islands Arts & Culture: Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna brought Manihiki-inspired turquoise waters and black-pearls glamour to Miss World 2026’s World Designer Award, then faced closed-door judging in Vietnam. Sports—Cook Islands on the rise: Cook Islands triathletes raced in Mo’orea ahead of the 2027 Pacific Games, while pickleball players in Da Nang claimed the nation’s first-ever international gold medals and more podium success. Community & Youth Sport: Vodafone Cook Islands renewed support for the Cocobots robotics club ahead of FIRST Global in South Korea, and CISNOC Chef de Mission Michelle Paiti returned from an OSEP course in Fiji to strengthen LA28 preparations. Regional Spotlight: The US and NZ announced a US$60m upgrade for Penrhyn Port in the Cook Islands, framed as boosting outer-island shipping links and supporting critical minerals development.

Pacific Film & Storytelling: Fiji’s POP48 48-hour film challenge is underway, with teams from Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands racing to create short films and reclaim Pacific narratives from the inside out. Cook Islands Sports Pathways: Five Cook Islands triathletes raced at the World Triathlon Regional Cup in Moorea as a test event for the 2027 Pacific Games, while Cook Islands pickleball players in Da Nang grabbed historic medals, including the first-ever Cook Islands golds at an international tournament. Local Rugby Spotlight: Rarotonga Super Club 15s returns with Tupapa Panthers hosting Avatiu Eels, setting up a key city rivalry in the week-five run. Miss World Culture: Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna showcased Manihiki-inspired black pearls and marine heritage in the World Designer Award and closed-door interviews in Vietnam. Regional Funding & Infrastructure: The US and New Zealand announced a US$60m package to upgrade Penrhyn Port in the Cook Islands, boosting outer-island shipping links and supporting future deep-sea mineral mining.