AGP Executive Report

Film & Storytelling: Pasifika TV’s Nicole Rex Taofinu’u is in Fiji for POP48, a 48-hour People of Pasifika film challenge running Sept 4–6, with Cook Islands teams among the hosts competing to tell Pacific stories from their own perspectives. Sports Pathways: Cook Islands pickleball made a strong start in Da Nang, winning three golds and a silver, including Tayla Beddoes’ first singles medal. Fashion & Culture: Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna brought Manihiki-inspired turquoise and black-pearls glamour to Miss World 2026, including the World Designer Award gown created by former Miss Cook Islands Annie Wigmore. Arts Funding: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source after 40 years, calling the decision “deeply disappointing” for artists and communities. Regional Arts/Youth: South Island’s Māfana project is giving rangatahi a Pacific arts platform, with performers representing Cook Islands among other cultures. Tech & Youth Robotics: Vodafone Cook Islands extended support for the Cocobots robotics club ahead of FIRST Global Robotics in South Korea. Infrastructure & Opportunity: The US and NZ announced a US$60m Penrhyn Port upgrade for the Cook Islands, aimed at improving shipping links and supporting future deep-sea mining.

Film & Storytelling: Pasifika TV’s Nicole Rex Taofinu’u is in Fiji for the POP48 48-hour film challenge, where five Fiji teams race alongside teams from Samoa, Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands to create short films from their own perspectives—“telling our own stories to the world” is the big message. Cook Islands Sports: The Cook Islands pickleball team has started strong in Da Nang, Vietnam, winning three gold medals and a silver, with Tayla Beddoes taking women’s singles silver and players praising the chance to connect globally. Local Creative Industry: Pacific Standard Time, an independent Cook Islands/New Zealand studio, is set to host five Cook Islands teams for POP48, led by Pouarii Tanner and Henry Taripo. Fashion & Culture Spotlight: Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna turned heritage into runway art at Miss World 2026, wearing a World Designer Award gown inspired by Manihiki’s turquoise waters and black pearls. Community & Youth Sport: A six-week school tennis programme is underway in Rarotonga, giving young students a pathway into Cook Islands training after school.

Luxury on the horizon: SeaDream Yacht Club has unveiled SeaDream III, its first new ship in 25 years, with reservations opening now and the vessel set to debut in July 2029—an intimate, family-style experience for about 200 guests. Robotics & youth sport: Vodafone Cook Islands has extended support for the Cocobots, donating a 43-inch Samsung TV for an online auction and backing Team Cook Islands for the 2026 FIRST Global Robotics competition in South Korea. Culture on the world stage: Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna wore a Manihiki-inspired gown featuring black pearls and mother-of-pearl at Miss World 2026’s World Designer Award, then took part in closed-door interviews. Community sport wins: Pickleball Cook Islands celebrated the nation’s first-ever international gold medals at Da Nang, with Nancy Newnham-Kora among the winners. Local performance pathway: CISNOC Chef de Mission Michelle Paiti returned from an OSEP course in Fiji, bringing athlete-centred delegation prep insights for LA28. Arts funding shock: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source after 40 years, calling the outcome “deeply disappointing.”

Pacific Islands Forum diplomacy: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Palau for the Leaders’ Retreat, hearing fuel-price pressure, El Niño climate risks and growing regional security concerns behind closed doors. US-Pac funding boost: The US says it will put more than US$150m into Pacific partnerships, including US$60m for fuel security and US$50m toward upgrading the Cook Islands’ Penrhyn port. Cook Islands sport spotlight: Pickleball Cook Islands celebrates the nation’s first-ever international gold medals at Da Nang, while Cook Islands Moana’s Ashlee Matapo’s rapid rise is highlighted after her Warriors NRLW debut and Test success. Arts & culture: Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna brings Manihiki turquoise and black pearls to Miss World 2026, and Cocobots Cook Islands gets another Vodafone boost for the 2026 FIRST Global Robotics challenge in South Korea. Sports pathway: CISNOC Chef de Mission Michelle Paiti returns from an OSEP course in Fiji, focusing on athlete-centred preparation for LA28. Regional arts funding hit: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source after 40 years, calling the outcome deeply disappointing.

Cook Islands Sports & Culture: Pickleball Cook Islands has made history at the Da Nang tournament in Vietnam, winning the nation’s first-ever international gold medals, with Nancy Newnham-Kora taking women’s doubles gold alongside Cheryl Ellenberg. Olympic Pathways: CISNOC Chef de Mission Michelle Paiti returned from an OSEP course in Fiji, bringing back an athlete-centred approach for LA28 delegation planning. Heritage on the World Stage: Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna wore a Manihiki-inspired gown for the Miss World 2026 World Designer Award, featuring black pearls and mother-of-pearl details tied to Cook Islands marine heritage. Regional Arts Funding: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source beyond 2026, calling the decision “deeply disappointing” for artists and communities. Pacific Geopolitics & Infrastructure: The US and New Zealand announced a US$60m upgrade to Penrhyn Port in the Cook Islands, aimed at improving shipping links for outer islands and supporting deep-sea minerals development. Travel & Leisure: SeaDream Yacht Club opened bookings for SeaDream III, a newbuild due to enter service in July 2029, with sailings beginning from Hong Kong.

Pacific Infrastructure & Minerals: The US and New Zealand have pledged US$60 million to upgrade Penrhyn Port on the Cook Islands’ northernmost atoll, with the US contributing US$50m and NZ NZ$17.5m, aiming to strengthen shipping links for outer islands and support deep-sea mineral development. Pacific Governance: A new Pacific resilience analysis argues democratic partnerships can help small island governments deliver accountable governance across vast distances, protect information security, and resist coercion. Sport Spotlight (Pickleball): Pickleball Cook Islands has made history at Da Nang, winning the nation’s first-ever international pickleball gold medals, as the team heads into the Pickleball World Cup. Culture on the World Stage (Beauty & Design): Miss Cook Islands Tiare Henry-Anguna brought Manihiki turquoise waters and black pearls to the Miss World 2026 World Designer Award, with a gown inspired by Cook Islands marine heritage. Local Sport Pathways (Olympic Prep): CISNOC Chef de Mission Michelle Paiti returned from an OSEP course in Fiji, focusing on athlete-centred delegation planning for LA28. Community & Youth Sport: A school tennis programme is rolling out across multiple Cook Islands schools, with a goal of feeding students into national training pathways. Bowling Update: The Cook Islands National Triples finals are set for Thursday at Rarotonga Bowling Club after a postponement. Arts Funding Shock: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source after 40 years, calling the decision deeply disappointing for artists and communities.

Pacific Infrastructure & Politics: US and NZ have announced a major port upgrade for Penrhyn atoll in the Cook Islands, with the US set to fund about $84m of the $102m project—part of a wider Pacific power shift playing out at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. Cook Islands Sport (International): Pickleball Cook Islands has sent its national team to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam—an historic first for the nation—with hopes of building an Oceania pathway toward the 2032 Olympics. Cook Islands Sport (Local): The Cook Islands National Triples Bowling Tournament finals are set for Thursday at Rarotonga Bowling Club after a postponement, featuring national reps and a family team from Manihiki. Cook Islands Sport (Development): A six-week school tennis programme is underway across multiple islands, aiming to feed students into Cook Islands’ national training pathway. Arts Funding Shock: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source beyond 2026 after 40 years, calling the decision “deeply disappointing” for artists and communities. Regional Football Spotlight: Torika Boseiwaqa, 14, earns her first Fiji Mini Kulas call-up for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in the Solomon Islands, inspired by her sister’s rise. Wayfinding & Culture: A story on Polynesian wayfinding highlights a 1,600-mile voyage by Hawaiian sailors using traditional navigation cues—stars, swells, birds and clouds.

Cook Islands Sport: Pickleball Cook Islands has made history, sending its national team to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam (Aug 30–Sep 6), with the federation aiming for stronger Oceania pathways and a long-term shot at the 2032 Olympics. Cook Islands Tennis: A six-week school tennis programme is underway across Apii Nikao, Apii Takitumu, Titikaveka College and Te Uki Ou, feeding kids into the national training pathway. Cook Islands Table Tennis: Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei have departed for the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat (Aug 26–30), hoping to test themselves against top regional opposition. Cook Islands Bowls: The Cook Islands National Triples finals are set for Thursday at Rarotonga Bowling Club after last week’s postponement, with national reps among the semifinal winners. Regional Football: Torika Boseiwaqa, 14, earns her first Fiji Mini Kulas call-up for the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Samoa’s region. Arts & Culture: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source after 40 years, calling the decision “deeply disappointing” for Pacific artists and communities. Rugby League World Cup: A guide to the RLWC 2026 highlights the Cook Islands men’s pool and the tournament’s Pacific-heavy line-up across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Cook Islands Sports: Pickleball Cook Islands has made history, sending its national team to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam (Aug 30–Sep 6), with hopes of building Oceania pathways toward the Olympics. Cook Islands Bowls: The Cook Islands National Triples finals are set for Thursday at the Rarotonga Bowling Club after last week’s postponement, featuring national reps and a Manihiki family team in the final. Cook Islands Tennis: A six-week school tennis programme is back in action across Apii Nikao, Apii Takitumu, Titikaveka College and Te Uki Ou, aiming to feed players into the national training pathway. Regional Football & Rugby League: The OFC U-19 Men’s Championship kicks off in Samoa with two finalists earning spots at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027, while Cook Islands Moana star Ashlee Matapo’s rapid NRLW rise continues to draw attention. Arts & Culture: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source beyond 2026 after 40 years, putting future support for Pacific visual artists in doubt. Pacific Sports Spotlight: Fiji’s Maori Pomeroy-Farrell wins bronze at the World Junior Diving Championships, and the week also includes a Cook Islands connection to major RLWC planning and team training bases.

Pacific Arts & Identity: South Island rangatahi used the 15-week “Māfana” showcase to build a Pacific voice through dance, music and storytelling, with Cook Islands performers among the line-up and workshops spanning Sāmoan sāsā and Tongan ta’olunga. Football Pathway: The OFC U-19 Men’s Championship kicks off in Samoa with two finalists set to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027, as hosts Samoa face New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Rugby League Spotlight: Ashlee Matapo’s rapid rise from Warriors development player to Cook Islands Moana Test debut is highlighted by her NRLW tackle stats and Pacific Championships success. Funding Shock for Pacific Art: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main funding source after 40 years, calling the outcome “deeply disappointing” for artists and communities. Cook Islands Sport on the Move: Pickleball Cook Islands players depart for the World Cup in Da Nang, while Cook Islands table tennis duo Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei head to the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat. Local Tennis Development: A school tennis programme is bringing the sport to multiple Cook Islands schools, aiming to feed talent into national training pathways. Bowling Finals Update: Cook Islands National Triples finals are set for Thursday at Rarotonga Bowling Club after a postponement.

Pacific Unity Watch: Pullouts are already hitting this week’s Pacific Island Forum summit, with up to a third of leaders absent and Canberra privately pointing to Chinese pressure behind some no-shows. Arts Funding Shock: New Zealand-based Pacific arts organisation Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main CNZ funding source beyond 2026, calling the decision “deeply disappointing” for artists and communities. Sport Pathways: Cook Islands school tennis is back in action via a six-week programme across multiple campuses, feeding into the national training pathway. Cook Islands on the World Stage: Pickleball Cook Islands has sent its team to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, aiming for stronger Oceania competition and long-term Olympic ambitions. Community Sport Update: The Cook Islands National Triples Bowling Tournament finals are set for Thursday after a postponement. Table Tennis Representation: Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei have departed for the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat to test themselves against top regional opposition. Culture Through Sport: A new FIBA Oceania Polynesian Cup logo spotlights turtle tatau-inspired design for the 2026 tournament.

Arts Funding Shock: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it’s “deeply disappointing” after losing its main CNZ funding beyond 2026, a major turning point for the trust founded in the 1980s to back Pacific visual artists and inspire the next generation. Sport & Pathways: Cook Islands school tennis is back in action with a six-week programme across Apii Takitumu, Apii Nikao, Titikaveka College and Te Uki Ou, aiming to feed players into the National Training Programme. World Cup Debuts: Pickleball Cook Islands has sent its team to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam, marking a historic first for the nation. Local Competition: The Cook Islands National Triples Bowling Tournament finals are set for Thursday at Rarotonga Bowling Club after a postponement. Regional Pride: Table tennis players Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei have departed for the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat, hoping for a stronger result against regional rivals.

Cook Islands Sport & Talent: Pickleball Cook Islands has sent its players to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam (Aug 30–Sep 6), marking a historic first for the nation and pointing to bigger Oceania pathways toward the 2032 Olympics. Bowls & Community Sport: The Cook Islands National Triples Bowling Tournament finals are set for Thursday at the Rarotonga Bowling Club after a postponement, with standout national reps including Commonwealth Games athletes. Table Tennis on the Road: Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei have departed for the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat (Aug 26–30), aiming to test themselves against strong regional opposition. Culture Through Sport: FIBA Oceania’s new Polynesian Cup and Women’s Polynesian Cup logos are drawing attention for their turtle design inspired by Polynesian tatau art—culture-led branding for the Oct 19–24 tournament featuring Cook Islands among five nations. Arts & Heritage: Mahiriki Tangaroa’s solo exhibition “Our Days of Harvest” opens at Berman Gallery, spotlighting 12 works that connect cubist style with local agriculture and heritage preservation.

Rugby League World Cup build-up: Fiji Bati coach Mick Potter says his leadership group is still “strong” after captain Tui Kamikamica’s medical retirement, with a final 40-man squad due Oct 6 and a key Cook Islands clash on Oct 18 in Newcastle. School sport: A six-week school tennis programme is back in action across four Cook Islands schools, aiming to spark participation from ages 7–9 and feed into the National Training Programme. Pickleball milestone: Pickleball Cook Islands has sent its team to the 2026 World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam—an historic first for the nation—with hopes of building regional pathways toward the 2032 Olympics. Bowls update: The Cook Islands National Triples finals are set for Thursday at Rarotonga Bowling Club after last week’s postponement, featuring national reps and island heritage teams. Table tennis: Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei have departed for the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat, aiming to test themselves against top regional opposition. Culture in focus: Artist Mahiriki Tangaroa’s solo exhibition “Our Days of Harvest” opens at Berman Gallery, spotlighting agriculture and heritage through 12 new works.

Cook Islands Sport & Teams: Pickleball Cook Islands has sent its players to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam (Aug 30–Sep 6), a historic first for the nation, while the Cook Islands National Triples Bowling finals are set for Thursday at the Rarotonga Bowling Club after a postponement. Table Tennis: Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei have departed for the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat (Aug 26–30), aiming to test themselves against strong regional opposition. Rugby League World Cup Build-Up: Cronulla’s KL Iro is recruiting Cook Islands heritage players ahead of the World Cup, and Raiders centre Josh Papalii is weighing a Cook Islands or Samoa call. Culture & Arts: Mahiriki Tangaroa’s solo exhibition “Our Days of Harvest” opens Monday at Berman Gallery, spotlighting agriculture and heritage preservation. Wayfinding Story: A new feature highlights Hawaiian sailors navigating 1,600 miles from the Cook Islands to New Zealand using traditional Polynesian wayfinding. Opinion: William Numanga argues Cook Islands government should rethink how education, culture, sport and food security are organised to improve outcomes.

Cook Islands sport on the move: Pickleball Cook Islands has sent its team to Da Nang, Vietnam for the 2026 Pickleball World Cup (Aug 30–Sep 6) in a historic first for the nation, with hopes of building Oceania pathways toward the 2032 Olympics. Bowls update: The Cook Islands National Triples finals are set for Thursday at the Rarotonga Bowling Club after last week’s postponement, with men’s and women’s teams battling for the title. Table tennis representation: Peter Tauraki and Moana Rakei have departed Rarotonga for the ITTF-Oceania Championships in Ballarat (Aug 26–30), aiming to test themselves against strong regional opposition. Culture through sport: The Ruckstars junior rugby programme is expanding in the Cook Islands with Australian High Commission and BSP support, focusing on safe participation, leadership, and active lifestyles. Arts & heritage: Artist Mahiriki Tangaroa’s solo exhibition “Our Days of Harvest” opens at Berman Gallery, spotlighting local agriculture and heritage preservation. Pacific fashion spotlight: Cook Islands creatives featured in Pacific Fusion at New Zealand Fashion Week, with the show celebrating Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian designers.