Apii Nikao is excited to announce the opening of two new sensory rooms designed to support students with additional needs providing comfortable spaces where students can feel at ease.

Student Rose Greig had the honour of cutting the rauti for one of the rooms alongside Tui Dewes, the outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, and principal Michael Mokai on Thursday.

Mokai says they have learned over time that big open learning spaces are not always ideal for supporting every child’s unique journey.

At the blessing of Apii Nikao new Sensory Rooms. From left: Rev Teava Nanai, George George, NZ high commissioner Tui Dewes, and Michael Mokai, principal of Apii Nikao. MELINA ETCHES/24082902

The school is committed to being inclusive and to have safe spaces where the students feel connected, resulting in an inclusive education supporting special education students.

Mokai adds although they are new to the concept, they are willing to learn and add more resources into these spaces.

He acknowledged the support from Kim Noovao, principal of Apii Te Uki Ou who opened the first sensory room on Rarotonga last year.

Apii Nikao students perform a Turou ceremony for invited guests. MELINA ETCHES/24082907

George George, chairman of the school’s Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), said “this a dream come true for our school”.

“I am overwhelmed, thanks to Mr Mokai who supports these ideas. We want our school to be innovative, anything to propel our students in better learning.

“They say there should not be a child left out in the village, we are here for all our students, our teachers, our families and parents, all for the betterment of our students.”

Apii Nikao student Rose Greig enjoys the Zen Zone in the new Sensory Room with Tui Dewes, NZ High Commissioner by her side. MELINA ETCHES/24082903

High Commissioner Dewes said: “We are really thrilled to have partnered with Apii Nikao to help create these more supportive learning environments, where tamariki of all sensory profiles can thrive and learn effectively.”

“And this is important, because research shows that calming sensory experiences, such as the soft lighting, soothing sounds, and tactile materials in these rooms, create a safe space, where children who experience sensory overload and stress, can regulate and reset.

“This is particularly valuable for neurodiverse children.”

With the increasing number of children with diverse learning needs in the Cook Islands, Dewes says it is great that Apii Nikao has stepped up to ensure that all children can participate in learning here.

Apii Nikao staff and students. MELINA ETCHES/24082905

She adds New Zealand remains committed to supporting the Cook Islands’ education sector through their Core Sector Support programme.

Dewes also congratulated everyone involved in bringing the project to fruition, and reiterated their hope that these new sensory spaces allow the students to thrive and learn effectively.

The specially created sensory rooms was funded during last year’s round for the High Commission Fund, under the theme of “Turanga memeitaki – well-being for all”.

The sensory rooms were blessed by Reverend Teava Nanai.

Mokai expressed his gratitude to Kat Jensen from Autism Cook Islands, Tania Morgan of Ministry of Education, Siteworx, Teachers and the Parents Teachers Association, and the New Zealand High Commission “who we can’t thank enough”.