Te Puna Vai Marama - Cook Islands Centre for Research

📣 We are excited to announce that along with Te Vairanga Kite Pakari: the Cook Islands Research Association and The University of the South Pacific - Cook Islands Campus, Te Puna Vai Mārama will host the 2027 Biennial Conference of the Australian Association for Pacific Studies on 30 March - 2 April 2027 here in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

To read more about the conference theme and to respond to the Call for Panels which is out now, take a look at our conference website: https://tepunavaimarama.org/aaps2027 👀

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AAPS 2027 — Te Puna Vai Mārama: Cook Islands Centre for Research Respond to the call for panels Respond to the call for panels At AAPS 2027, we make space to consider how the future is being claimed and shaped in the Pacific, to consider what it means to resist narratives of inevitability be they economic, political, social, or environmental. Participants are ask...

Research Fellow Selane Tairea spent last week experiencing the inner workings of the parliament through the Cook Islands National Youth Council's Youth Parliament 2026, a five-day immersive learning experience for young Cook Islanders to strengthen their understanding of and interest in parliamentary processes, and ignite the next generation of leaders and decision-makers.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KXpn9UrzM/

🌺Youth Parliament 2026 – Participant Spotlight 🌺

Today we introduce Selane Tairea, one of the participants for the Youth Parliament 2026.
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Kia Orana, ko Selane Tairea toku ingoa. I am 26 years old and I work for Te Puna Vai Marama - Cook Islands Centre for Research as a research officer. My interests and hobbies are data collection, survey development and baking. 👩‍💻📊📉📈👩‍🍳🥯🎂🍰🍪🍩🍞

I was involved with carrying out the Youth Parliament in 2021. I learned a lot about our government and how our parliament procedures work.
It was an eye-opening experience for me as a part of the organizing team, and so I would like to experience this again and learn more from a participant perspective.

I would like to learn more about our parliamentary systems. Understanding one of the governing entities of my country is extremely important but my understanding is still surface level. I wish these activities and lessons were in our school curriculum.

We have extended the call for applications for Senior Research Fellow/Research Fellow to 15 May 2026!

If you have any questions or you'd like the job description, email [email protected] 🤓

TPVM and Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) recently joined an excursion up the Takuvaine Valley, guided by visiting Kuki PhD student Liam Kokaʻua.

Kokaʻua, a Pacific Studies doctoral candidate at the University of Auckland, is researching the oral histories of Takuvaine Valley while exploring both the opportunities and challenges of revitalising its taro terraces (pond fields) within the valley’s water catchment.

Read more here in this piece by TIS Project Officer Ake Tairea. http://tiscookislands.org/living-legacy-of-biodiversity.../

Last week TPVM Research Fellow and resident statistician Selane Tairea attended the Working with Data Community of Practice (CoP3), which saw data officers from both government and the NGO sector come together to strengthen data capabilities. The CoP, hosted by the Cook Islands National Statistics Office and Office of the Prime Minister - Central Policy and Planning Office, with support from Statistics New Zealand and the Pacific Data Hub took participants through targeted skill development in data preparation, analysis, interpretation and visualisation to provide a strong base for reporting against Te Ara Akapapa'anga Nui -the National Sustainable Development Agenda.

The Cook Islands National Statistics Office (CI NSO), in collaboration with the Central Policy and Planning Office (CPPO) of the Office of the Prime Minister, delivered the third iteration of the Working with Data Community of Practice (CoP 3). The programme brought together officers from across government agencies and non-government organisations to strengthen data capability and advance evidence-informed decision-making.

Building on earlier Communities of Practice, CoP 3 focused on developing practical skills in data preparation, analysis, interpretation, and visualisation. The programme was shaped by a pre-survey assessment of participant needs, complemented by targeted one-on-one consultations with selected agencies. These engagements identified key data challenges and priorities, ensuring the training was practical, relevant, and tailored to agency contexts.

Delivery of CoP 3 was funded by Statistics New Zealand (Stats NZ) and supported by the Pacific Data Hub of the Pacific Community (SPC). Alongside technical training, including Power BI, SPC also supported a scoping exercise to assess existing data governance arrangements across government. This work provided valuable baseline insights to inform the development of a future National Sustainable Development Agenda (NSDA) dashboard.

Collectively, these efforts strengthen the institutional foundations for high-quality data, coherent indicator frameworks, and credible national reporting in support of Te Ara Akapapa‘anga Nui – the National Sustainable Development Agenda (NSDA). The Working with Data Community of Practice forms part of a broader, sustained approach to building data capability across the public service and will continue to support collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement in the production and use of official data.

Te Marae Ora, alongside the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), officially launched the Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy and Action Plan for the Cook Islands 2026–2030 on Thursday, March 26. TPVM Research Associate Prof. Heather Worth, who gave a keynote address at the launch, was instrumental to the policy’s drafting and ensuring the outputs were grounded in evidence. Prof. Heather was assisted by TPVM Research Fellow Lauren Turner.
This milestone reflects a shared commitment among local government and NGOs to improving health outcomes and strengthening services for local Cook Islands communities.

Join us for the Te Puna Vai Mārama AGM, Tuesday 21 April (tomorrow) at the University of the South Pacific Cook Island Campus. RSVPs can be sent to fran.little@tepunavaimārama.org.

Come learn about TPVM, our previous work and progress, and our direction going forward.

The agenda will include reviewing and adopting the Annual financial Report and audited Financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2025.

We are hiring! Read more for details on how to apply 👇🏾

For all of our local students here in Rarotonga, come in and see our colleagues at USP if you're interested in studying at home!

Attention Year 12 & 13 Students: Be Ready for 2026 – Apply Early!

Thinking about applying to USP for Semester 1, 2026? We’re making it easier for you!

Our Enrolment Hub is now open at the Cook Islands Campus to support you through the application process from understanding programme requirements to submitting your online application.

Open Monday to Friday | 9am – 3pm | Now until 20 February 2026

Enrolment Hub Services:
• Email and student account creation
• Document scanning
• Academic counselling
• Online admissions (EnrolMe)
• Online registration
• Information Booths for ID cards, fees & scholarships, accommodation, immigration and IT Help

Whether you’re a school leaver, a mature applicant, or returning to complete your programme, our friendly staff are here to help. Bring all required documents to ensure a quick and easy process.

Take the first step toward shaping your future with USP, an internationally recognised, regionally owned university committed to serving the Pacific.

For more information: Email [email protected] | Call: (+682) 29415 | Visit: www.usp.ac.fj/apply