Eight new security officer graduates are working to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft at the Rarotonga airport.

The security officers work for the Airport Authority and are responsible for ensuring that passengers, baggage, and cargo do not present a security risk.

The security training course for the graduates started in January this year and the successful graduates were acknowledged in an award ceremony yesterday morning at the Airport Security Office in Nikao.

The new officers are March Porio, Azahria Tepua-Iva Mataroa, Vaiana Ngaoire, Veena Aperau, Teinakore Carmen Tapora, Grace Toroma, Vaevae Pareina, and Nicole Kimiora.

“What a blessing and what a journey it has been,” said new graduate Veena Aperau.

“It was an emotional and proud moment for us all and one of the best experiences we have been through. The support and encouragement we have received from our families and work colleagues was just the best,” Aperau said. 

The Basic Aviation Security and Dangerous Goods for Screening Personnel course – which was conducted in collaboration with Aviation Security New Zealand – comprises of theory sessions and on-the-job training which typically takes three months to complete.

Due to the outbreak of Covid, training instructors Nancy Taraare and Akaiti Purea had to make changes to the training schedule.

Since February 2018 security officer recruits have not been officially recognised in a graduation ceremony.

Taraare, the airport security service training and documentation officer said it was appropriate that earlier airport security officer graduate Sonia Vainerere (2019) and August 2018 graduates Lyncia Frances Tane and Huahine Turoa, also took part in this week’s graduation ceremony.

A graduation ceremony gives recognition to the individual and prepares them for a future with the company, and demonstrates their level of compliance with the Airport Authority’s standards and regulations, Taraare added.