The Office of the Prime Minister is pleased to announce that nominations have reopened for Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki: The Cook Islands National Awards.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 2025, Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki provides a uniquely Cook Islands way of recognising the service, leadership, and achievements of those who uplift our people and nation.
With nominations now reopening, more Cook Islanders, particular from the Pa Enua can put forward someone deserving of recognition.
Prime Minister Mark Brown said the awards are an opportunity for all Cook Islanders to take part in celebrating excellence.
“These awards are about honouring those among us who inspire, serve and lead in our homes, villages, islands, and across the world. Every nomination helps us shine a light on the stories and values we want to see flourish across our communities.”
Nominations open today, Thursday April 23 2026, and close at 4pm on Sunday, May 31 2026. Nominations received during last year’s initial round remain valid and will be considered along with those received during this new round. Recipients will be notified in July, with the awards themselves to be presented at a special ceremony on Constitution Day, Tuesday 4 August 2026.
Nominations are open for the following categories:
GRAND AWARDS
- Tui o Te Mira Nui o Avaiki (for men) – for exemplary and outstanding once-in-a-generation service, leadership and achievement of national and historical significance, with enduring impact.
- Tapairu o Te Mira Nui O Avaiki (for women) – for exemplary and outstanding once-in-a-generation service, leadership and achievement of national and historical significance, with enduring impact.
- Akatauira o Te Mira Nui o Avaiki – for exceptional service, leadership and achievement of national importance.
- Pūtokotoko o te Mira Nui o Avaiki – for commendable service, leadership and achievement of a high standard across any field.
PREMIER AWARDS
- Rei Ārangatū o Avaiki Public Service Medal – for outstanding contribution to the Public Service, demonstrating leadership, innovation or reform that improves government credibility and service delivery.
- Ētū Matariki o Avaiki Star Of Excellence – for significant contributions in one or more of the following fields: Social Impact & Sports; Arts, Culture & Humanities; Business, Science & Innovation; Environment & Conservation.
Anyone can put forward a nomination – an individual, organisation, or community group, but you cannot nominate yourself. Nominees must be either Cook Islanders or Cook Islands Permanent Residents aged 18 or over who normally reside in the Cook Islands. Awards may be conferred posthumously
Nominations can be submitted online, or paper forms can be collected from the OPM office on Vakatini Road in Avarua or the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) on the ground floor of the Philatelic Bureau Building (under the NZ High Commission) on Takuvaine Road in Avarua. Pa Enua residents will also be able to collect paper nomination forms from their respective Island Administrations.
For details on categories, eligibility, the Awards Selection Committee, and how to nominate visit pmoffice.gov.ck/national-awards-2026.
Selection Committee member Sonny Williams urged members of the public to seriously consider putting forward the name of a deserving recipient.
“The whole idea now is to give people more time and more of a chance to nominate someone they believe has made a real difference to our country,” he said.
“I hope as many of our people as possible seriously consider this opportunity to afford our own citizens some much-deserved recognition on behalf of all of us, for carrying our country and our different communities so well.
“We need to take the time to look at our own people and be a part of recognising them for what they have achieved – so I look forward to seeing all the new nominations coming in.
“No ta’au anga’anga meitaki, koia katoa to’ou Raumaire.”
