AGP Executive Report

World Cup on Vaka TV: The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is sponsoring live FIFA World Cup 2026 match streaming on Vaka TV, with the tournament kicking off at 9am Cook Islands time and a full broadcast schedule released for fans to plan their viewing. Sports & community coaching: South Auckland Special Olympics athlete Jared Lutu has swapped competition for coaching at Hauora Inclusion Day, helping neurodivergent and neurotypical students try modified sports and build confidence. Cook Islands food culture: Te Tapora Kai returns to Punanga Nui Market with a “Taste of the Cook Islands” pop-up running 9am–12 noon, featuring local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and new vendors plus itivaine samples. Island arts spotlight: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai delivered a musical treat in Samoa, performing for the first time there with Tahitian dancers and a mix of Cook Islands and Samoan songs. Pasifika rugby future: Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika can still be saved as new potential backers come forward, while ruling out a direct government bailout and focusing on a sustainable business model. Cruising with Cook Islands stops: Norwegian Cruise Line extended its South Pacific programme through 2027, including an eight-day round-trip from Papeete with a call at Rarotonga.

World Cup on TV: The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is sponsoring live FIFA World Cup 2026 match broadcasts on Vaka TV, with the opening match set for 9am Cook Islands time and a full schedule released so fans can plan their viewing. Sports to community: South Auckland Special Olympics athlete Jared Lutu has swapped competing for coaching at Hauora Inclusion Day, helping nearly 300 students try modified sports and build confidence through inclusion. Rugby future talk: Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika can still be saved, ruling out a direct government bailout and pointing to new potential backers as the club navigates liquidation fears. Music night in Samoa: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai delivered a packed performance at Le Manumea Hotel, debuting in Samoa with Cook Islands influence and a teased unreleased Samoan song. Local food culture: Taste of the Cook Islands returns to Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market (9am–12 noon), with local dishes, live music, craft and cultural demos, and itivaine samples. Radio win: PMN Fiji’s Pacific Mornings took out Best Pacific Language Programme at the New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards. Handball pathway: Maddy Brocket, a new New Zealand handball representative, is now aiming to coach and teach the sport at her school.

Sports & Inclusion: South Auckland Special Olympics athlete Jared Lutu (Cook Islands and Sāmoan heritage) has swapped racing for coaching at a two-day Hauora Inclusion Day at Bruce Pulman Arena, supporting nearly 300 neurodivergent and neurotypical students with nine modified sports aimed at confidence, teamwork and belonging. Community Events: Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market hosts “Taste of the Cook Islands” today (9am–12noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and new vendors plus itivaine sampling from 9am–12noon. Arts & Culture: Rex Atirai delivered a musical treat at Le Manumea Hotel in Samoa, performing Cook Islands-influenced songs with Tahitian dancers and teasing an unreleased Samoan track. Environmental Art: Waihī Beach School pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures with Stan Wolfgramm as part of the Forgotten Promises Project, aiming for a community mobile installation to spotlight Pacific marine plastic pollution. Media Recognition: PMN Fiji’s Pacific Mornings won Best Pacific Language Programme at the 2026 New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards.

Seabird restoration through art: “Seabird Sue” Sue Schubel’s carefully made decoys are helping seabirds return to safe nesting habitat, using social attraction to aid recovery of species including the Chinese crested tern. Pacific rugby future: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika can still be saved, pointing to new potential supporters and ruling out a direct government bailout as the club seeks a sustainable business model. Cook Islands music in Samoa: Rex Atirai wowed crowds at a Le Manumea Hotel event in Samoa for Samoa’s 64th independence, performing Cook Islands-influenced Samoan songs with Tahitian dancers and audience singalongs. Local food culture: “Taste of the Cook Islands” returns to Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market, with traditional dishes, live music, craft and produce vendors, plus coconut-cream and weaving demonstrations. Radio wins for Pacific voices: PMN Fiji’s Pacific Mornings took out Best Pacific Language Programme at the 2026 New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards, celebrating more than 20 years of Fijian community broadcasting. Environmental art for ocean awareness: Waihī Beach School pupils created fish sculptures from discarded waste with Stan Wolfgramm, turning plastic pollution into a planned mobile installation to spark discussion on protecting Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

Pacific Rugby Rescue: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika still has a pathway to survive, with new potential backers showing interest and no direct government bailout planned as the club works toward a sustainable business model. Cook Islands Food & Culture: Taste of the Cook Islands returns to Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market (9am–12 noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and fresh craft and produce vendors. Music in the Pacific: Rex Atirai brought a Cook Islands-Samoa musical moment to Le Manumea Hotel in Samoa, debuting new material and teaming up with Tahitian dancers for a crowd singalong. Sports & Community: Waihī Beach School pupils created fish sculptures from discarded waste in an ocean-plastic awareness art project, turning recovered materials into a future community installation. Broadcasting Pride: PMN Fiji’s Pacific Mornings won Best Pacific Language Programme at the New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards.

Pacific Rugby: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Moana Pasifika “can still be saved,” pointing to new potential backers and stressing a sustainable business model over any direct government bailout after the club was placed into liquidation. Sports Coaching: Gore teenager Maddy Brocket, who’s represented NZ in handball twice in 18 months, is now aiming to coach younger players at her school and bring the sport into PE. Rugby League: Former NRL fullback Mick Potter has been appointed to lead Fiji Bati for the Rugby League World Cup, with contract work underway and fans urged to get behind the team. Cook Islands Food & Culture: Taste of the Cook Islands returns to Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market, with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and new vendors running 9am–12noon. Music & Performance: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai delivered a musical treat in Samoa for the country’s independence celebrations, debuting new material and teaming up with Tahitian dancers. Environmental Arts: Waihī Beach School pupils created fish sculptures from discarded plastic waste in a hands-on project tackling marine pollution, with plans for a larger community installation. Broadcasting: PMN Fiji’s Pacific Mornings won Best Pacific Language Programme at the NZ Radio and Podcast Awards.

Cultural Spotlight: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai brought a “musical treat” to Samoa at the Le Manumea Hotel, debuting on the island with Tahitian dancers and a mix of classics plus an unreleased Samoan song tease. Community & Food: Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market returns with a “Taste of the Cook Islands” pop-up (9am–12 noon), featuring local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and new vendors. Arts & Environment: Waihī Beach School pupils turned discarded waste into fish sculptures in a hands-on ocean conservation art project, aiming for a larger community installation to tackle marine plastic pollution. Pacific Media: PMN Fiji’s Pacific Mornings won Best Pacific Language Programme at the NZ Radio and Podcast Awards, celebrating 20+ years of Fijian-language storytelling. Sport With Heart: Afghan Women United are preparing for international matches in Auckland against the Cook Islands after FIFA eligibility in April, marking a major step back for women’s football after Taliban bans. Voyaging Anniversary: Polynesian Voyaging Society will celebrate Hōkūleʻa’s 50th anniversary with hula, panels, star compass demos, and free public events.

Sports & Community Spotlight: Afghan Women United players are in an Auckland training camp and set to play matches against a Cook Islands team, marking a major return to international football after years of Taliban restrictions; FIFA approved their eligibility in April, even though the Afghan federation still doesn’t recognize them. Music & Performance: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai wowed crowds at a Le Manumea Hotel event in Samoa, debuting on the island with Tahitian dancers and a new Samoan song, plus crowd singalongs and extra requested sets. Local Food & Culture: “Taste of the Cook Islands” returns to Te Tapora Kai at the Punanga Nui Market (9am–12 noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and fresh craft and produce vendors. Broadcasting Pride: PMN Fiji’s Pacific Mornings won Best Pacific Language Programme at the New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards, celebrating more than 20 years of Fijian community storytelling. Arts & Environment: Waihī Beach School pupils created fish sculptures from discarded ocean waste in a project tackling plastic pollution, with the works planned for wider community display. Regional Voyaging: The Polynesian Voyaging Society marks Hōkūleʻa’s 50th anniversary with a June 14 celebration featuring hula, panels, star compass demos, and hands-on cultural activities.

Cook Islands music & dance: Rex Atirai brought a “musical treat” to the Le Manumea Hotel in Samoa, performing two sets for hundreds and debuting a new unreleased Samoan song with help from his fiancée Nola Rura and Tahitian dancers. Community food & culture: “Taste of the Cook Islands” returns to Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market (9am–12 noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and new vendors plus itivaine samples. Sports awards debate: A letter to the editor praises CISNOC’s reinvigorated National Sports Awards but calls out the missing Masters Sportswoman Award, naming standout Cook Islands women across sport and fitness. Environmental arts for Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa: Waihī Beach School pupils made fish sculptures from discarded waste in a project tackling Pacific plastic pollution, with the finished mobile installation planned for community display. Women’s football on the international stage: Afghan Women United players are in an Auckland camp preparing matches against the Cook Islands after FIFA approved their eligibility following years of Taliban restrictions.

Music & Culture: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai brought a musical treat to the Le Manumea Hotel in Samoa, performing two sets for a packed crowd and even teasing an unreleased Samoan song—while Tahitian dancers joined in and the audience sang along and requested more. Community Arts & Food: “Taste of the Cook Islands” returns to Te Tapora Kai at the Punanga Nui Market (9am–12 noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, new vendors, and hands-on itivaine sampling plus coconut-cream and weaving demonstrations. Sports Awards (Letter): A reader congratulates CISNOC for reinvigorating the National Sports Awards but calls out the missing Masters Sportswoman category, highlighting standout Cook Islands women across sport and fitness. Environmental Art: Waihī Beach School pupils made fish sculptures from discarded waste with Stan Wolfgramm, aiming for a large hanging mobile installation to raise awareness of Pacific marine plastic pollution. International Sport (Cook Islands connection): Afghanistan’s women’s team is set for its first international match in five years, playing the Cook Islands in Auckland after FIFA approved their eligibility.

Live Music & Dance: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai brought a musical treat to the Le Manumea Hotel in Samoa on Friday night, performing two sets for a packed crowd, debuting a new Samoan song idea, and sharing the stage with Nola Rura and Tahitian dancers. Community Food & Culture: “Taste of the Cook Islands” returns to Te Tapora Kai at the Punanga Nui Market (9am–12 noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, new vendors, and hands-on itivaine sampling. Sports Awards Letter: A reader congratulates CISNOC for reinvigorating the National Sports Awards but calls for a missing Masters Sportswoman category, highlighting standout Cook Islands women across multiple codes. Environmental Art for Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa: Waihī Beach School pupils created fish sculptures from discarded waste in a project tackling marine plastic pollution, with the works set to become a larger hanging installation for community education. Cinema History: A new book explores the rise and decline of movie-going in the Cook Islands, from early theatres and pioneers to today’s single remaining cinema, the Empire Theatre. International Football Spotlight: Afghan women’s team members in Auckland are set to play the Cook Islands, after FIFA approved their eligibility following years of Taliban restrictions.

Music & Dance: Cook Islands artist Rex Atirai brought a musical treat to the Le Manumea Hotel in Samoa on Friday night, performing two sets for hundreds and even teasing an unreleased Samoan song—while Tahitian dancers and his fiancée Nola Rura helped set the stage for a full crowd singalong. Food & Culture: “Taste of the Cook Islands” returns to Te Tapora Kai at the Punanga Nui Market (9am–12 noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, and new vendors plus samples from itivaine like coconut cream making and pare ukarau weaving. Arts & Environment: Waihī Beach School pupils turned discarded plastic into fish sculptures in a hands-on ocean conservation art project, with the works set to become a large hanging mobile to spark community discussion on marine pollution. Community Sports (Cook Islands link): Afghanistan’s women’s football team—now eligible for international play—are in Auckland for matches against the Cook Islands as they rebuild careers after the Taliban’s 2021 crackdown on women’s sport. Cinema History: A new book explores how movie-going once thrived across the Cook Islands, from early theatres like the Victory Theatre to today’s single remaining cinema, the Empire Theatre.

Cook Islands Food & Culture: “Taste of the Cook Islands” returns to Te Tapora Kai at Punanga Nui Market (9am–12noon), with local dishes, live music, cultural demos, new vendors, and samples plus a coconut cream and pare ukarau weaving showcase. Sports Awards Debate: A letter congratulates CISNOC on reinvigorating the National Sports Awards, but calls out the missing Masters Sportswoman category and highlights standout Cook Islands athletes across multiple codes. Environmental Art: Waihī Beach School pupils turn discarded plastic into fish sculptures with Stan Wolfgramm, feeding into a larger hanging installation to spotlight marine pollution and ocean guardianship. Cinema History: A new book traces Cook Islands movie-going culture—from early theatres and the Royal Hall/Victory Theatre era to today’s single remaining cinema, the Empire Theatre. International Football (Cook Islands link): Afghanistan’s women’s team, now eligible for international competition, is set to play the Cook Islands in an Auckland training camp this week after years of Taliban restrictions and exile. Music Spotlight: Niuean icon Che Fu takes out the Lifetime Achievement award at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, bringing takalo to the stage.

Community Food & Culture: Te Tapora Kai at the Punanga Nui Market is hosting a “Taste of the Cook Islands” pop-up today (9am–12noon), with traditional dishes, live music, cultural demos, and new registered vendors joining the usual Friday sellers. Sports Awards Debate: A letter congratulates CISNOC for reinvigorating the National Sports Awards but calls out the absence of a Masters Sportswoman Award, naming standout Cook Islands women across multiple codes. International Football (Cook Islands connection): Afghanistan’s women’s team, now eligible for international competition after years of Taliban restrictions, is set to play matches in Auckland against the Cook Islands as part of the Afghan Women United programme. Arts & Environment: Waihī Beach School pupils are turning discarded waste into fish sculptures with Stan Wolfgramm, aiming for a large hanging mobile installation to spotlight Pacific plastic pollution. Music & Nightlife (Samoan scene): A feature explores Samoan nightclub culture in South Auckland through the Le Fiafia Band and compere Mata’afa, focusing on performance, bass-heavy sound, and crowd call-and-response. Cinema History: A new book revisits the Cook Islands’ “golden age of cinema,” when Rarotonga once had seven theatres, and traces how movie-going faded to today’s single remaining Empire Theatre.

Pacific Media: PMN Fiji won Best Pacific Language Programme at the 2026 New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards in Auckland, recognising more than 20 years of Pacific Mornings broadcasting for Fijian communities across Aotearoa. Sport & Identity: The Queensland Reds women are leaning into Pasifika culture ahead of the Super Rugby Women’s opener, with players sharing language and music as part of Language Week build-up. Afghan Women’s Football: After years of Taliban restrictions and exile, 23 Afghan Women United players are in an Auckland training camp preparing to play the Cook Islands, following FIFA eligibility approval in April. Environmental Arts: Waihī Beach School pupils created fish sculptures from discarded waste with Stan Wolfgramm, aiming to turn the works into a large hanging mobile to spotlight marine plastic pollution. Cook Islands Culture: A new book traces the rise and decline of cinema in the Cook Islands, from early silent films to today’s single operating theatre, the Empire Theatre. Local Diplomacy: PM Mark Brown’s visit to Wuzhou, China, highlighted new cooperation tied to the launch of the MV Tuitui Moana.

Environmental Arts: Waihī Beach School pupils have turned discarded plastic into fish sculptures with Pacific creative leader Stan Wolfgramm, part of the Forgotten Promises Project, aiming to assemble a hanging mobile installation to spark community talk on marine plastic pollution. Cultural Festival: Te Puke Festival of Cultures returns tomorrow (June 6) with free performances, workshops and international food across community venues, starting with Māori welcome and kapa haka, plus harakeke weaving and school group dance sets featuring Pasifika and beyond. Cook Islands Cinema History: A new book revisits the Cook Islands’ “golden age of cinema,” tracing how movie-going shaped island life from early silent films to today’s single operating cinema, the Empire Theatre. Sports & Identity: Afghan Women United players are in an Auckland training camp preparing for international matches against the Cook Islands, after FIFA approved eligibility in April following years of Taliban restrictions and exile. Arts & Diplomacy: PM Mark Brown’s visit to Wuzhou, China, highlights new Cook Islands–China cooperation tied to the MV Tuitui Moana launch and cultural/economic exchanges. Music Spotlight: Niuean hip-hop icon Che Fu was inducted into the Aotearoa Music Hall of Fame at the 2026 awards, delivering a takalo and celebrating Pacific music pioneers.