Media Release - Karere Uira

The Cook Islands Government (CIG) has approved and released its Domestic Shipping Policy, a new framework to guide the planning, operation and oversight of Government-owned and operated shipping services connecting Rarotonga with the Pa Enua. The Policy was approved by Cabinet on 4 June 2026. The Policy applies to CIG-owned and operated vessels and services. It does not impose new obligations or requirements on private sector shipping operators, who will continue to operate u

The Command Team and delivery crew aboard Tuitui Moana completed a simulated emergency fire drill on 29 July 2026 while the vessel was underway approximately 50 nautical miles north of Western Papua. The planned exercise tested the crew’s ability to respond to a potential fire onboard while at sea. It included activating emergency procedures, communicating between different areas of the vessel, preparing the vessel’s firefighting systems and ensuring each crew member understo

Three men from Pukapuka have arrived in Rarotonga to begin preparations for their roles as deckhands aboard the Cook Islands’ new passenger and cargo vessel, Tuitui Moana. The new deckhands are: Mozela Teiho-Tua Tokoiva Ruarau Takuria Patakuria Their arrival is another important step in preparing the Cook Islands crew who will support the vessel once it arrives home and enters service. As part of their preparation, the three deckhands will travel to New Zealand to undertake S

The Cook Islands new passenger and cargo vessel, Tuitui Moana, officially departed Nansha, Guangzhou, China yesterday, beginning her delivery voyage home to the Cook Islands. The voyage will take the vessel through Cebu in the Philippines, Lae in Papua New Guinea, and Suva in Fiji, before arriving in Rarotonga. The journey is expected to take approximately 46 days, depending on weather and operational conditions. The departure follows months of preparation by the Cook Islands

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, through its Major Projects and Procurement Support Division, is helping introduce 10 new electric motorbikes for Community Safety and Monitoring work in Rarotonga. The motorbikes are being provided with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, as part of its development cooperation with the Cook Islands. The purpose is simple: the bikes will help local Puna move around more easily, be more visible, and res

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM), through its Major Projects and Procurement Support (MPPS) Division, has released the 2025/26 Pa Enua Capital Distribution Fund (PECDF) Circular inviting application submissions from Island Governments. The annual PECDF provides capital funding support to Island Governments for the purchase, replacement or capital improvement of essential plant and equipment. As funding is limited, PECDF is allocated through a competitive

MFEM-MPPS recently signed a contract with CBS Power Solutions Ltd for the Northern Cook Islands Battery Systems Replacement (NCIBSR) Project works. Site visits to the Northern islands were originally scheduled for 8-13 December 2025 but due to technical issues with the chartered jet, this was rescheduled to the 19-24 January 2026. CBS Power Solutions took advantage of meeting with Government Agencies for registrations, local contractors, suppliers and logistic companies as t

The Cook Islands’ two inter-island vessels currently being procured will soon carry names chosen by our young people, following the conclusion of the national “Topa’anga o to tatou nga Pae o te Kuki Airani – Name Our Vessels” competition. From a total of 156 entries submitted by schools, youth groups, and communities across the country, the judging panel selected “Matakiva” and “Tuitui Moana” as the winning names. “Matakiva” was submitted by Atillar Lernato-te-ngari-o-te-me

The Cook Islands Government is proud to announce the arrival of two new inter-island vessels, which will play an important role in strengthening our connection with the Pa Enua. These vessels will help us stay connected across our islands, ensuring communities remain linked, supported, and included in our shared future. To celebrate this milestone, we are inviting name suggestions from our Tamariki across the country. For now, the vessels are referred to as “Vessel 1” and “Ve

Major Projects and Procurement Support (MPPS), Te Marae Ora (TMO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announce the successful contract signing for the procurement and installation of a Photovoltaic (PV) System for the Rarotonga Hospital. 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲, 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝, the contract works includes the design, supply and installation of an 80kW Photovoltaic (PV) System as well as solar inverters and mains connectio

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 is to confirm that no delays to this project are attributed to New Zealand despite discussions in Parliament recently. Cook Islanders living in the Northern Group experience intermitted power cuts due to irregular system component failures, the Cook Islands Government is addressing these issues through the Northern Battery Replacement Project and the Pa Enua Capital Distribution Fund. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨

Following a month of stakeholder consultations, the 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐌𝐏𝐏𝐒), a division within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) launches the review of its activity management system, the Tarai Vaka Process. 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒, the Tarai Vaka Process (TVP) is the Cook Islands National activity management system implemented to streamline planning, implementin

On the 17 October 2023, Cabinet approved the Domestic Shipping Roadmap effectively setting the scene for the establishment of a government run domestic fleet, and supporting the retention of domestic shipping responsibilities to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) through the Major Projects and Procurement Service Division (MPPS) for a transition period of up to three (3) years. During this 3 year period. MPPS will be required to deliver: A two (2) ship gov