The Office of the Prime Minister confirms that coordinated efforts are underway to restore power supply to the village of Tauhunu, Manihiki, following a fire that destroyed the island’s power station early Tuesday morning.
There were no injuries or casualties, and the nearby solar farm remains intact. The fire was contained by local authorities, preventing further damage to nearby storage facilities.
Since the incident, the Manihiki Island Government, supported by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Te Aponga Uira (TAU), Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM), Cook Islands Police Service (CIPS) and Te Marae Ora (TMO), have mobilised to provide immediate relief and begin the process of power restoration, in consultation with the Member of Parliament for Manihiki Hon. Akaiti Puna and Prime Minister Hon. Mark Brown.
Three portable generators, two supplied by TMO and one by the Island Council are providing temporary power to the cyclone management centre (CMC), where residents have relocated freezers and essential food supplies.
His Worship Mayor Joseph Hiro, Executive Officer Retire Puapii, and island officials have held community meetings to coordinate local logistics and ensure that immediate food, water, and health needs are being met.
Technical assessments are being led by TAU to determine the full extent of the damage. Early reports confirm that a replacement transformer, generator, and associated cabling will be required to fully restore power to Tauhunu.
OPM is now coordinating with relevant agencies to source the required energy assets and materials, and to commence mid to long term planning for rebuild of the power station infrastructure. A stocktake of spare parts and materials is underway in both Tukao and Rarotonga, with priority on readiness for deployment.
Transport logistics for delivery of equipment and technical teams to Manihiki are being finalised, with Te Kukupa II being deployed for assistance in the coming days.
“The safety and wellbeing of the Manihiki community remains our top priority,” said Chief of Staff Karopaerangi Ngatoko. “We are working closely with island leaders and line agencies to ensure power is restored as soon as possible and that essential community needs continue to be supported in the meantime.”
The Office of the Prime Minister will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
