Te Vaka o Ru (TVOR) is Aitutaki's Mana Tiaki programme, funded by Te Mato Manava Turoto (Cook Islands Tourism), championing locally led initiatives that enhance Peu Maori (culture), Tupuranga Tangata (wellbeing), and Turanga Evangelia (respect for beliefs).

This week's presentation for round 26 supported three Aitutaki-based projects, each responding directly to local needs while also extending direct benefits to our visitors.

Projects are rigorously judged by a 7-member committee, comprised of representatives from 7 Aitutaki government agencies and the island's Religious Advisory Council, who collectively represent a cross-section of the Aitutaki community.

Tupuranga Tangata WINNER - Road Safety Awareness Campaign for Aitutaki 

A road safety awareness video produced by Aitutaki’s Internal Affairs Department, in collaboration with the Cook Islands Police and Araura TV, will now be broadcast on local television and radio, following the procurement of the first portion of content. 

The campaign addresses ongoing concerns around road incidents involving both residents and visitors, particularly vehicle and pedestrian accidents. Using locally filmed footage and relatable scenarios—such as pedestrian awareness, helmet use, and shared road responsibility—the messaging encourages safer behaviour for all road users. Mateara Pauka, Welfare Consultant at Aitutaki’s Internal Affairs Department and TVOR committee member, says the initiative is designed to benefit everyone on Aitutaki. “This initiative is targeted at all residents of Aitutaki and is focused on improving safety for everyone who uses our roads. By sharing clear, locally relevant messaging through television and radio, we aim to reduce road incidents and create a safer environment for our people, as well as for visitors to our island,” said Mrs Pauka. 

With Te Vaka o Ru support, the campaign can be aired through TV & radio for four months, ensuring wide reach ahead of the 2026 tourism peak. The campaign is particularly timely, as the shoulder season has in the past years experienced a higher number of road incidents. 

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Peu Maori & Turanga Evangelia WINNER - Aitutaki Day 2025

Te Vaka o Ru Round 26 also supports the delivery of Aitutaki Day 2025, a major annual cultural celebration coordinated by the Aitutaki Island Council and taking place from 15–22 December 2025. The week-long programme includes traditional sports, tautai ika (fishing competition), tangikaara (drumming), Vainetini exhibitions showcasing tivaevae and crafts, Vaka Reti (traditional vaka racing), tiare (flower) arrangement competitions, and Christmas in the Park with market stalls and entertainment. Funding will support key public-facing elements of the celebrations, including staging, marquees, cultural performances, entertainment, and prizes for traditional competitions, with additional emphasis on the opening ceremony and float parade. Aitutaki Day plays an important role in strengthening the preservation of Peu Māori across generations, fostering community cohesion, boosting local economic activity, and providing visitors with an authentic cultural experience. 

Tupuranga Tangata WINNER - First Aid Training for Tourism Operators in Aitutaki 

First aid training took place all throughout this week, coordinated by Red Cross Aitutaki, and focused on increasing the number of certified first responders within the community, with particular emphasis on tourism operators. Regina Potini, President of Red Cross Aitutaki, says the training significantly strengthens island-wide safety. “Increasing the number of people trained in first aid improves the safety of our island as a whole. This is especially important for operators who, in their day-to-day work, have limited access to medical support, such as island tours and lagoon cruises. By supporting this training, we are helping ensure faster and more effective responses to emergencies, benefiting both our community and visitors,” said Regina. With Te Vaka o Ru support, course fees were subsidised for tourism industry participants, ensuring more equitable access to essential life-saving skills.

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The entire TVOR committee, alongside Te Mato Manava Turoto (CIT) congratulates all three of this round's winners, and look forward to working alongside them in the future for the benefit of our people, and our island's visitors.

Meitaki Atupaka!

For more information on this round, or to enter for consideration in Round 27, contact Aitutaki's Tourism Office:

Ph: 31 767

E: [email protected]