Projects
Delivered, underway, funded, and planned work across all our islands.
Delivered
- Delivered
Te Mato Vai Water Infrastructure
Rarotonga's largest modern water upgrade — ring mains and intakes rebuilt to deliver a safer, more reliable island water supply.
- Operational
Manatua Cable and Telecom Liberalisation
A submarine fibre-optic connection and telecom liberalisation framework that delivered resilient international bandwidth to the Cook Islands.
- Delivered
Mangaia Administration Building Upgrade
Mangaia's central hub for island administration, justice, and banking services upgraded as part of a wider island infrastructure programme.
- Delivered
Manihiki Island Administration Building
A new, cyclone-resilient administration building at Tauhunu, giving Manihiki modern space for island government and banking services.
- Operational
To Tatou Vai Authority
A dedicated public water utility, established by the To Tatou Vai Act 2021 to run Rarotonga's water service on a sustainable footing.
- Delivered
Rebuilding the Economy and Tourism
The economy returned to approximately its pre-COVID level, supported by tourism recovery and broader airline routes.
- Delivered
Road, Drainage, and Bridge Improvements
Road rehabilitation, drainage, coastal protection, and bridge works have improved safety and strengthened essential transport links around Rarotonga.
- DeliveredEnacted
Crimes (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act 2023
Stronger, modernised protection for victims of sexual violence — a broader offence framework, removal of the marital defence, and updated consent law.
- Operational
Modern Weather and Early-Warning Infrastructure
An expanded weather-observation network and restored upper-air observations have improved forecasting, aviation information, and severe-weather preparedness.
- DeliveredEnacted
Manatua Cable Protection Act 2024
Legal protection for the Manatua submarine cable — anchor-exclusion zones and penalties to guard against damage.
- Delivered
Minimum Wage Increases
Staged rises in the minimum wage to help workers with the cost of living — reaching NZ$10.00 per hour from 1 July 2025.
- DeliveredEnacted
Public Health Act 2024
A modern public-health framework replacing outdated law, with stronger disease-prevention, administration, and planning powers.
- Delivered
Rakahanga Public Building Upgrades
School, hospital, and administration facilities on Rakahanga renewed — from roofing and classrooms to hospital accessibility and electrical works.
- OperationalIn force
Solid and Hazardous Waste Act 2025
A statutory framework for hazardous waste, product bans, and waste financing — in force from 1 July 2025.
- DeliveredEnacted
Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2024
Tighter tobacco and vaping controls — stronger product rules, display and licensing restrictions, and the purchase age raised to 21.
- Operational
Stronger Support for Families and Vulnerable Households
The Social Assistance Policy raised the newborn allowance and destitute payments and introduced paid paternity leave, with child benefits and maternity leave rising in stages.
Building now
- UnderwayPhase 1 delivered · Phase 2 underway
Arutanga Harbour Upgrade
Improving the passage used for essential cargo while creating safer access for local boats, fishing, yachts, and tourism.
- Procurement
Northern Pa Enua Renewable-Energy Battery Replacement
The Government has advanced replacement of ageing battery systems that support renewable electricity in the Northern Pa Enua.
- Underway
ATOM Climate-Health Programme
The nation's first direct Green Climate Fund grant, strengthening outer-island health facilities and emergency centres against climate risk.
- Underway
Manihiki Airport Runway Improvement
Reconstructing and surfacing the runway for safer, more reliable and climate-resilient access.
- Underwaydesign, consenting and delivery stages
Rarotonga Airport Safety and Runway Programme
Separate works are advancing runway-end safety, runway slab replacement, and a terminal extension to strengthen safety and international connectivity.
- Underway
Te Tau Papa o Avarua — Avarua Town Renewal (Phase 1)
Public-realm renewal of Avarua's town centre and Punanga Nui Market, including the near-complete Te Tapora Kai farmers and crafts building.
- Procurement
Aitutaki Airport Improvement
Planning and procurement are progressing for runway-strip land reclamation and related upgrades to strengthen safety and future capacity.
What comes next
- Funded
Mangaia Airport Runway Repairs
The 2025 Budget provided $1 million for repairs to the Mangaia airport runway, improving safer access for the island.
- Funded
Pa Enua Harbour and Wharf Improvements
The 2025 Budget included $5.9 million over four years for harbour and wharf infrastructure, with Nassau and Atiu identified as priorities.
- Planned
New Dialysis Unit at Rarotonga Hospital
A new dialysis unit is planned for Rarotonga Hospital, reducing the need for kidney patients to travel overseas for essential treatment.