AGP Executive Report

Rugby League World Cup: The Cook Islands face Australia on Saturday after an 82–16 loss to New Zealand, where winger Esom Ioka’s eight-minute hat-trick gave fans a thrilling early lead. Pacific Storytelling: The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti named five emerging writers for its 2026 fellowship, supported by Netflix and offering mentorship and industry connections. Pacific Film: More than 2,500 people across the region took part in the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included screenings in the Cook Islands and featured Pacific-made films alongside international selections. NRL Bid: Mana Pasifika hopes to join the league in 2029, with plans for home games in the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

Pasifika Screenwriting: The Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti has named five emerging writers for its 2026 fellowship, backed by Netflix. The programme offers mentorship and industry development to help Pasifika storytellers bring their work to television. Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with free screenings in the Cook Islands and other Pacific communities. This year’s programme spotlighted films led by women, motherhood and younger generations.

Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival has drawn more than 2,500 people across the region, with free screenings in the Cook Islands among its programme of Pacific-made and international films exploring human rights. Rugby League: Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka’s eight-minute hat-trick briefly put the Aitu ahead before New Zealand won 82–16. The Cook Islands face Australia in their final World Cup group match on Saturday.

Rugby League World Cup: Cook Islands winger Esom Ioka’s eight-minute hat-trick briefly put the Aitu ahead, but New Zealand won 82–16. The team faces Australia on Saturday, October 31, in its final group match. Pacific Film: More than 2,500 people took part in the Pacific Human Rights Film Festival, which included screenings in the Cook Islands and highlighted Pacific-made films and women filmmakers. Local Sevens: Five men’s clubs are preparing for the RARO 7s, set for November 5–7, with Avatiu Eels tipped as a team to watch.

Rugby League World Cup: The Cook Islands Aitu fell 82–16 to New Zealand in Christchurch after Esom Ioka’s stunning eight-minute hat-trick briefly put them ahead. Captain KL Iro said the team would regroup for its final pool match against Australia. Youth Football: Cook Islands’ under-15 side lost 10–0 to Benin at the World Cup and Festival in Baku. Netball: A 15-player, locally based Cook Islands squad has been named for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane, coached by former national captain Luciana Nicholas. Combat Sports: Rarotonga hosted the Pacific Combat Fight Series, with undefeated local kickboxer Scholar Ngatokorua among the headline fighters.

Rugby League World Cup: Cook Islands stunned New Zealand with three tries in eight minutes to lead 16–12, before the Kiwis rallied for an 82–16 win in front of 24,868 fans. Winger Esom Ioka scored a hat-trick in a spirited Aitu performance. Combat Sports: International fighters arrived in Rarotonga for the Pacific Combat Fight Series, bringing kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing and grappling to the National Sports Arena. Netball: Netball Cook Islands named a 15-player, locally based squad for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane, coached by former national captain Luciana Nicholas. Local Rugby: Avatiu Eels look like the team to beat at today’s Super 7s, after winning all five games at the recent Fiji Day tournament. The event is a final tune-up for next month’s RARO 7s.

Combat Sports: International fighters from Australia and New Zealand join Cook Islands athletes in Rarotonga for the Pacific Combat Fight Series, featuring kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing and grappling. Undefeated local kickboxer Scholar Ngatokorua headlines the card. Rugby League: The Cook Islands Aitu face New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday, seeking a response after a 40–12 opening loss to Fiji. The match is part of a World Cup double-header with the Kiwi Ferns and France. Netball: A 15-player, locally based Cook Islands squad has been named for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane, coached by former national captain Luciana Nicholas. Waka Ama: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from a three-day regatta on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.

Combat Sports: International fighters have arrived in Rarotonga for tonight’s Pacific Combat Fight Series at the National Sports Arena, where Cook Islands athletes will compete in kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing and grappling. Netball: Netball Cook Islands has named a 15-player, locally based squad for November’s inaugural PacificAus Sports Netball Challenge in Brisbane; the team opens against Samoa. Basketball: Cook Islands debutant Hunter Bates is set to represent the men’s team at the FIBA Polynesian Cup, with a place at the Pacific Games a key goal. Rugby League: After a 40–12 opening loss to Fiji, the Aitu face New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday. Pacific teams are drawing strong crowds and showcasing the growing pull of Pasifika rugby league. Paddling and Pickleball: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from an Australian regatta, while Pickleball Cook Islands reports record league participation after winning the country’s first international medals in the sport.

Cook Islands Basketball: Rarotonga guard Hunter Bates is set for his national-team debut at the FIBA Polynesian Cup in Tahiti, as the Cook Islands chase a return to the Pacific Games after a 19-year absence. Fight Night: Local fighters take on competitors from New Zealand and Australia at Pacific Combat Fight Series 2026, featuring kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai and grappling at Rarotonga’s Telecom Sports Arena. Paddling: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from the Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta in Australia. Growing Game: Pickleball Cook Islands reports record league participation, with more than 60 players and three divisions this season. Food and Music: Rarotonga’s popular progressive dinner serves local favourites such as ika mata and rukau at residents’ homes, with ukulele music and singing along the way.

World Cup: The Cook Islands face New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday after a 40–12 opening loss to Fiji. Kiwis utility Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who is Cook Islands Māori, says he’ll be representing his family and heritage when he takes the field against the islands. Live Combat: Cook Islands fighters meet rivals from New Zealand and Australia at Pacific Combat Fight Series 2026 on Friday at Telecom Sports Arena. Undefeated kickboxer Scholar Marshall leads the local line-up. Rarotonga Food & Music: A progressive dinner in Rarotonga is highlighted among the world’s distinctive culinary experiences, pairing local dishes such as ika mata and rukau with ukulele music and singing.

Island Flavours: A progressive dinner in Rarotonga pairs ika mata, rukau and food cooked in hot-stone pits with ukulele music and singing at three local homes. Fight Night: Cook Islands fighters meet competitors from New Zealand and Australia at Friday’s Pacific Combat Fight Series in Rarotonga. Undefeated kickboxer Scholar Marshall leads the local line-up. Paddling: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers won seven medals at an Australian regatta, gaining international racing experience. Rugby League World Cup: The Cook Islands lost their opener to Fiji 40–12 and prepare to face New Zealand in Christchurch; Pacific flags across Auckland are also celebrating the strong ties fans maintain with their island homelands.

Rugby League World Cup: After a 40–12 opening loss to Fiji, the Cook Islands face New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday. The Kiwis have reshuffled their lineup, with Christchurch-born rookies Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith set for their debuts. Combat Sports: Cook Islands fighters meet opponents from New Zealand and Australia at the Pacific Combat Fight Series on Friday at Telecom Sports Arena. Undefeated kickboxer Scholar Marshall leads the local team. Paddling: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from Australia’s Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Regatta. Grassroots Sport: Pickleball Cook Islands reports record league participation, with more than 60 players signed up for its latest season.

Combat Sports: Cook Islands fighters will face rivals from New Zealand and Australia at Friday’s Pacific Combat Fight Series in Rarotonga. Undefeated kickboxer Scholar Marshall, 23, leads the local line-up with a 12-0 record. Waka Ama: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home multiple medals from Australia’s Gubbi Gubbi Regatta, gaining international racing experience. Pickleball: The sport is growing locally, with more than 60 players signing up for the latest league and Cook Islands teams having won three golds and a silver at an international event in Vietnam. Rugby League: The Cook Islands face the Kiwis in Christchurch on Sunday, in a double-header with the Kiwi Ferns playing France; the matches are nearly sold out.

World Cup Weekend: Christchurch’s Rugby League World Cup double-header on October 25 will feature the Kiwi Ferns against France, followed by the Kiwis and Cook Islands. Five players are set to make New Zealand debuts, including Christchurch-born Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith. Aitu’s Next Test: Cook Islands lost their opener 40–12 to Fiji, with Maui Winitana-Patelesio and Davvy Moale scoring. The team now faces the Kiwis in Christchurch. Pacific Pride: Cook Islands Māori lecturer Caleb Panapa Marsters says Pacific flags across Auckland are a powerful show of diaspora ties and support for homelands during the tournament. On the Water: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers won seven medals at Australia’s Gubbi Gubbi regatta, while Cook Islands pickleball reports record league participation, following the team’s first international medals at the Pickleball World Cup.

World Cup Watch: Fiji prop Mitch Prest faces a high-tackle charge from the 40-12 win over the Cook Islands; an unsuccessful challenge could cost him a match. The Aitu now head to Christchurch to face New Zealand, where Christchurch-born Kiwis Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith are set to debut. For winger Jamayne Isaako, the match is a homecoming to the Aranui Eagles club where his league journey began. Pacific Pride: Cook Islands Māori academic Caleb Panapa Marsters says World Cup flags across Auckland celebrate the deep ties diaspora communities maintain with their homelands. On the Water: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers returned from Australia’s Gubbi Gubbi regatta with seven medals and valuable racing experience. Growing Game: Pickleball Cook Islands’ latest league has drawn a record 18 teams, building on the country’s first international medals at the Pickleball World Cup. Pasifika Honours: Cook Islands-connected rower Arie Rasmussen Magasiva received the University of Auckland’s Major Pasifika Award, recognising sporting achievement, study and leadership.

World Cup Build-up: New Zealand has reshuffled its line-up for the Rugby League World Cup clash with the Cook Islands in Christchurch, bringing in Casey McLean Nicoll-Klokstad and Scott Sorensen among several changes after its narrow loss to Australia. Pacific Pride: Cook Islands Māori lecturer Caleb Panapa Marsters says Pacific flags flying across Auckland are a powerful celebration of diaspora ties and identity during the tournament. Waka Ama: Ngakau Toa Vaka’s junior paddlers brought home seven medals from Australia’s Gubbi Gubbi regatta, including four on the opening day. Pickleball: The sport is growing at home, with more than 60 players and 18 teams entering the latest Trader Jacks league after Team Cook Islands won its first international medals at the Pickleball World Cup.