Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has led a joint visit by the Cook Islands, United States and New Zealand to Tongareva to begin feasibility and planning work for a new, safer and more reliable wharf at Omoka.
Brown travelled to the northern island on Sept. 22 with US Ambassador to the Cook Islands Jared Novelly and New Zealand High Commissioner Catherine Graham to meet residents and discuss the proposed project.
It was the first time the three partners had visited Tongareva together since announcing their intention to work on the wharf at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau in August.
Brown said the visit was intended to ensure the community heard directly from the three partners about the project and had a role in shaping its development.
“This wharf is a lifeline for Tongareva, and it belongs to Cook Islanders,” Brown said. “We are leading this work on our own terms and as part of our own priorities and our national plan for the Pa Enua.”
The delegation was welcomed to Omoka with a traditional warrior's chant, drums, floral garlands and a guard of honor by students from Tongareva School.
The delegation later visited the existing landing and proposed wharf site.
Almost all supplies reaching Tongareva, including fuel, food, building materials, medicines and disaster relief, currently come ashore through a landing built more than 80 years ago, according to the Cook Islands government.
A modern and resilient wharf would improve the safety and reliability of deliveries and strengthen connections between Tongareva, the other Pa Enua, the rest of the Cook Islands and the wider region.
Feasibility study first
The partners stressed that construction will not begin until a feasibility study determines the project's scope and design.
The study will assess technical, environmental, social, commercial and operational aspects of the proposed wharf and provide an opportunity for the Tongareva community to help shape the project.
New Zealand High Commissioner Catherine Graham said New Zealand would support implementation of the project in partnership with the Cook Islands.
“This visit is the start of careful, considered work,” Graham said. “The feasibility study comes first, to shape the scope and the design, and it will be the community's opportunity to have its say.”
The Cook Islands government said the project will be implemented in accordance with Cook Islands laws, policies and regulations and integrated into the country's long-term development plans.
The feasibility work will also examine opportunities for Cook Islands companies, workers and suppliers to participate.
US highlights historic ties
Novelly highlighted the longstanding US connection with Tongareva, noting that US personnel built the island's original wharf and airfield during World War II.
“The United States values its long friendship with the Cook Islands and our historic ties to Tongareva, where United States personnel built the island's original wharf and airfield,” Novelly said.
He said the US supported the initiative to improve connectivity and services for people in the northern Cook Islands.
The ambassador also pointed to potential benefits including strengthening the Cook Islands government's ability to monitor its waters and creating commercial and tourism opportunities.
The three partners said the visit marked the beginning of the broader feasibility and planning phase. Final decisions on the scope, design and delivery of the project will follow completion of the feasibility study.
