Cook Islands Tourism Event Support — Guidelines & Eligibility

Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) Event Support assists event owners and organisers staging events in Rarotonga and/or the Pa Enua. Support may be direct (Seed Funding or Marketing Support) or indirect (Value in Kind), awarded based on an event's economic impact, profile, size, and scope.

Eligibility Criteria

Events must demonstrate:

  • Ability to increase visitor numbers during the low-shoulder season (November–April) — priority is given to events in this window
  • Measurable economic benefit through return visitation, extended stays, economic injection, and/or dispersal to the Pa Enua
  • Business and community involvement
  • Added diversity to the Cook Islands events calendar
  • Potential to become an ongoing, permanent fixture on the events calendar
  • A capable Event Manager and strategic, targeted marketing planning
  • Acknowledgement of CIT across all event advertising and marketing

Applications should be submitted at least 90 days before the event; later submissions may not receive full marketing and promotional benefits. Include as much supporting detail as possible, in clear, simple language.

Supporting Documents

  • Brief event description, including marketing activity benefiting the Cook Islands
  • Detailed outline of the support requested
  • Expected participant numbers (local and international)

Types of Support

Not all events qualify for funding; those that do are placed into one of three tiers:

  • Seed Funding — for well-planned events attracting low-shoulder-season visitors, strengthening the circular economy (especially in the outer islands), and showcasing local culture (e.g., a traditional food festival)
  • Marketing Support — helps optimise and promote new or recurring events
  • In-Kind Support — use of CIT's social media channels and other existing resources

Assessment Process

CIT reviews applications and supporting documents, requesting further information as needed. Ineligible events are notified at this stage.

Terms and Conditions

  • Submission does not guarantee support
  • A complete application and any requested documentation must be provided
  • A post-event report is due within 30 days of the event
  • Applicants must be able to provide planning documents if requested
  • Organisers are encouraged to share a confirmed or tentative date for next year's event, to assist CIT's planning
Complete an Application