Empowering Youth and Unity in Cook Islands Communities: A Path Forward
On September 14, 2024, the Cook Islands Aotearoa Communities Plan Steering Group gathered in Auckland to discuss the implementation of national priorities. Supported by Pasefika Proud, the meeting focused on sustainable leadership and youth development.
Image | Cook Islands Aotearoa Communities Plan Steering Group
One of the central challenges discussed was how to meaningfully engage young Cook Islanders. Abenzar Wichman of Whangarei highlighted the difficulty in balancing community aspirations with existing cultural and government structures. “It was very difficult to try and find how to bring the two together, how to empower our people and create our vision, while also fitting within existing structures, ” he said.
Wichman also reflected on past youth workshops, noting a common issue: a lack of follow-up. We also noticed that some youngsters were stepping away, often because they were multi-ethnic, and the other ethnicities were more influential."
He stressed the need for consistent engagement and proposed a specific steering group focused on youth, suggesting short, interactive activities to maintain their interest.
Image | Abenzar Wichman- Far Right
Patrima Tauira of Porirua, echoed the sentiment that traditional meeting formats fail to engage youth.
“When you wanna bring our mapu together, we don’t like sitting like this.Move the tables, get into groups, bring the drums in, get interactive,” she said.
“We thrive in cultural spaces—why don’t we merge that with these formal settings? Then we’ll get better engagement and hear their voices more.”
The importance of connections resonated throughout the discussions. Wichman emphasised a holistic whole of community approach that included young people was needed. He suggested activities such as two-day camps and consistent, sharp delivery to keep the youth involved and interested.
Collective Unity and Flourishing Together
One theme that emerge from the meeting was unity and the need for a united effort to grow and thrive as a community. “Moving forward is a united effort, although it’s very difficult when we are culturally and geographically diverse,” one speaker noted. The group reflected on how unity could provide a sound foundation for growth, and this requires deliberate action and strategic planning.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of using resources within the various Cook Islands community. Health professionals, educationalists, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and other community members were identified as key players in spreading important messages and fostering connections.
However, unity was recognised as a dynamic process. "Sometimes it will be through unity, other times through celebrating our diversity, but always celebrating our connections," a participant added.
A United Path Forward
The Reverend George Kopa of Manurewa, Auckland, offered a closing blessing and commended the participants for their efforts, particularly in empowering the youth. “Thank you for a very insightful day into the various issues regarding our Cook Islands people. I need to commend you, Jean for pausing on a very important issue—our young people. We need to keep giving them opportunities to speak, and we also need to trust them,” he said.
Reverend Kopa emphasised the importance of supporting and encouraging young people to thrive. “While they are here, we need to feed into them, support them, love them, encourage them to grow and flourish. I feel like I’ve heard their voices, but we need to hear more about their thoughts, plans, and dreams going forward,” he added. His message echoed the group's central theme: to keep sharing aspirations, maintain connections, and foster unity.
With the support of Pasefika Proud and the leadership of both elders and youth, the Steering Group left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to empower their communities and the next generation of Cook Islanders.
Background
Cook Islands communities across Aotearoa have evolved under the leadership of pa metua who were visionaries, committed to their churches, enua and social organisations. It is now widely recognised that sustainable communities are led by competent leaders who continue to develop skills, are informed, and draw on support.
Community members from Aotearoa based Cook Islands communities have up until this meeting only engaged online: Wellington/Porirua, Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay, Tokoroa/Hamilton, Tai Tokerau, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin & Invercargill. The outline of a draft plan has been endorsed by all communities and identifies three National priorities and four regional priorities.
A Steering Group was formed and met on the 14 Sep 2024 in Auckland. A key focus for the Steering Group meeting were the following National priorities:
- Review Leadership Development Project – agree on number of deliveries/ dates
- Review Youth Development Camp – agree on number of deliveries/ dates
- Update on the Cook Islands Maori Language Project
FOR MORE INFORMATION email - Jean Mitaera
Further reading / reference
Cook Islands Cultural Concepts to Inform Family Violence Interventions and Practice
Literature Search of Cook Islands Cultural Concepts to Inform Family Violence and Practice - Research Summary