What comes next

Our five promises

From the Cook Islands Party Manifesto 2026–2030 — five promises, carried together in one vaka. Detailed costings, eligibility, and timing for each will be published as they are rolled out.

Promise 1

A Home for Every Family

Proposed

Affordable homes are out of reach for many on Rarotonga, while in the Pa Enua customary land cannot be mortgaged in the usual way — so one housing policy cannot answer both.

A home for every family — built to fit your land, your income, and your island. One promise, delivered through two tracks.

E Are no te Iti Tangata katoatoa.

Track one — a National Housing Strategy 2030 aligning housing with population, workforce, infrastructure, and climate resilience: more affordable homes and rentals including low-cost pre-cut starter models families can build on their own land; deposit assistance, shared equity, and affordable financing for first-home buyers — with priority for young families and returning Cook Islanders; workforce housing for teachers, nurses, police, and health workers; and vacant homes brought back into use.

Track two — a Pa Enua Housing and Affordable Credit Scheme for new builds, home improvements, solar power, water storage, and resilience upgrades on customary land. Long-term land-use rights give lenders certainty while the land stays with the family — always. Any enforcement applies to the homes and improvements, never the land.

By 2030: more affordable homes · higher home ownership · climate-resilient housing · workforce housing · stronger Pa Enua communities.

From the Cook Islands Party Manifesto 2026–2030.

Promise 2

Healthcare Close to Home

Proposed

Families face growing pressure from non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, alongside concerns about specialist care, mental health, and workforce shortages — and distance makes access harder still in the Pa Enua.

Healthcare close to home, on every island, for every generation — focused on prevention, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Te Oraanga Meitaki no te Katoatoa.

We will put people at the centre of healthcare and shift the focus toward keeping people well: strengthen prevention through community wellness, nutrition, physical activity, and early screening — working with churches, schools, and sporting groups; tackle non-communicable diseases as a national priority; train and retain Cook Islands health workers, and give them reasons to stay; bring care closer through telehealth and stronger Pa Enua clinics; and strengthen mental health support and care for healthy ageing and our elders.

By 2030: lower preventable illness · better Pa Enua services · a stronger health workforce · improved mental health support · healthier ageing.

From the Cook Islands Party Manifesto 2026–2030.

Promise 3

Every Child Starts Strong

Proposed

Too many young people begin adult life already behind — some taking unsecured loans simply to get going — while the cost of raising children stretches young families and solo parents most of all.

A Child Foundation Fund opened by Government for every child at birth and built up over the years, so every Cook Islander reaches adulthood — and one day retirement — with something behind them.

Te Akamata’anga Puapinga no te au Tamariki.

The signature commitment is the Child Foundation Fund: opened at birth with a Government contribution and further contributions over a child’s early life; parents and family can add to the fund, and it is protected for long-term benefit. Alongside it: better access to affordable childcare and early learning so parents can work, study, and build; and stronger youth opportunity, leadership, and pathways from education into work.

By 2030: a Child Foundation Fund for every child · affordable childcare · stronger early learning · more youth in work and training.

From the Cook Islands Party Manifesto 2026–2030. Contribution amounts, vesting, and withdrawal rules are to be published with the final policy — no illustrative figures are shown here.

Birth 18 30 60
Age in years, birth to 60 — with a possible first-home withdrawal option around 30. Illustrative shape only, no dollar figures; approved actuarial modelling to be added before publication.
Promise 4

Renewable Energy & Resilient Communities

Proposed

The Cook Islands remains exposed to global fuel prices and supply shocks, and climate change is already felt through extreme weather and changing rainfall. Solar and battery systems are in place across the country — the next stage is keeping them working and preparing every community.

Reliable energy, resilient communities, sustainable islands — a Renewable Energy Rejuvenation Programme across the motu.

Te Mana o te Ao Ou e te au Korero no Apopo.

We will maintain and upgrade existing solar and battery systems so they keep delivering reliable, affordable power; build local technical capacity so Cook Islanders can manage and maintain our own energy systems; strengthen water security through long-term planning and reliable safe water for households; invest in coastal protection, disaster preparedness, and community resilience; and give particular attention to renewable energy and resilience throughout the Pa Enua.

By 2030: greater energy security · less reliance on imported fuel · improved water security · more local technical skills · stronger climate resilience.

From the Cook Islands Party Manifesto 2026–2030.

Promise 5

Jobs, Growth and Opportunity

Proposed

Over the coming decade the Cook Islands will face rising competition for workers, investment, and talent. Prosperity is created through partnership — businesses, workers, families, and government together.

More jobs, more opportunity, more prosperity — a National Employment Policy aligning education, training, and economic growth.

Angaanga, Turanga Meitaki e te au Tuatua Ora.

We will build a future-ready workforce through apprenticeships, trades, and stronger links between employers and education; open clear pathways for young people from education into work and enterprise; support small and medium businesses and local entrepreneurship to grow good ideas into good jobs; encourage skilled Cook Islanders overseas to bring their skills home; and strengthen tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and the blue economy as engines of jobs and income.

By 2030: higher household incomes · stronger business growth · a more diverse economy · more apprenticeships · more skilled people returning home.

From the Cook Islands Party Manifesto 2026–2030.

Every island

Every Island at the Centre

Proposed

Geography still shapes the cost of living and access to services. For too long, national delivery has leaned toward Rarotonga — and no island should be disadvantaged because of its location.

The Pa Enua at the centre of national investment — every island connected through reliable transport and communications. No island left behind, no one in the vaka left behind.

Te Akatuatua’anga i te katoatoa — every island connected, every family included, every opportunity accessible.

We will strengthen shipping and aviation so people, goods, and services move reliably between islands; improve digital connectivity so every island can reach health, education, government, and banking services; begin island-by-island investment planning with island governments, traditional leaders, and communities; support island-based opportunity in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy where it fits each island’s strengths; and carry Pa Enua housing and energy commitments through from Promises One and Four.

By 2030: better island connectivity · reliable shipping and aviation · stronger island economies · locally led development plans.

From the Cook Islands Party Manifesto 2026–2030.

Te Ara ki 2030

From day one to 2030

The manifesto's course — the first 100 days, then four phases to 2030.

The first 100 days

  1. Digital Services & Data Review — for better, more accessible government

  2. Child Foundation Fund — develop the framework, governance, and funding design

  3. Island Investment Planning — commence island-by-island with each island

  4. National Housing Programme — launch it, and plan the Pa Enua Housing & Affordable Credit Scheme

  5. National Employment Policy — begin with a national workforce assessment

  6. Cost-of-Living Review — identify practical relief for families

  7. Renewable Energy Rejuvenation — launch the programme across the motu

Four phases to 2030

  1. 2026–2027

    Building the foundations

    Planning and the first programmes — housing, jobs, Child Fund, energy, island plans.

  2. 2027–2028

    Delivering results

    Growth and delivery — housing, apprenticeships, early learning, energy, connectivity.

  3. 2028–2029

    Expanding opportunity

    Scaling what works — more homes and jobs, healthier communities, stronger islands.

  4. 2029–2030

    Securing the future

    Embedding the gains so they last, and preparing for the years beyond 2030.

Funded and planned Government projects also sit under our record — see all projects by island.