Tourism is the key driver for economic development in the Cook Islands and Tereora College graduates Kubethreana Taripo and Rakiki Brown are both “excited” to be the first scholarship students to be awarded the Cook Islands Tourism Leadership Programme scholarship.

Brown and Taripo are both making their way to the Queenstown Resort College (QRC) Tai Tokerau campus in the Bay of Islands, Aotearoa New Zealand to start the 17-week Leadership and Performance course.

The programme will cover topics such as communication, motivational leadership, wellbeing and diversity, performance under pressure, and operational management.

Brown was the Tereora College 2023 Top Year 13 Tourism student.

“I’m feeling mostly excited about leaving for my course as it’s something very new to me, as I have lived in Rarotonga all my life,” said Brown.

“I’m also looking forward to meeting new people and getting outside of my comfort zone.”

Brown said she finds all areas in tourism appealing; however, she is more familiar with the Accommodation side of things since her parents Paul and Rebecca Brown have owned and managed Rarotonga Backpackers for the past 20 years.

“I’m hoping to gain knowledge of how large businesses work and also gain experience on how to utilize my skills and improve for the future,” said Brown.

Taripo was awarded the scholarship last year and is excited to be taking on a new challenge.

 “I’m excited about this opportunity to go away and study, but it’s also kinda hard to leave home and everyone I’m comfortable with,” said Taripo.

“But this is going to be a big move of independence and stepping outside of my comfort zone.

She said her specific interests in the tourism industry are in the history and cultural values.

“I hope that going overseas can provide me with the knowledge of how to dig in to our old ancestral stories and knowledge within the Cook Islands to generally, just promote ourselves more.

“And personally, I’m hoping to gain more knowledge and experience to help promote our island, and just explore things outside what a normal island girl would,” said Taripo.

The programme provides a unique opportunity for passionate individuals to develop their leadership skills, industry knowledge, and to carve a career pathway for tourism in the Cook Islands.

Following the course, the girls will return to Rarotonga and be placed in a six-month hands-on tailored management pathways programme with international award-winning Pacific Resort Hotel Group.

Cook Islands Tourism Leadership Programme scholarship is supported and partnered by Air New Zealand and the Pacific Resort Hotel Group, each scholarship is valued at approximately $25,000.