A leading Cook Islands resort, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is honouring its dedicated staff, particularly those who have served for over 20 years, and reflecting on its growth and impact on the community.

The Edgewater Resort and Spa is celebrating its 50^th birthday this week commemorating golden decades of hospitality and cherished memories.

Since opening their doors in 1974, the Edgewater, also known as “your village by the sea”, has welcomed guests from all corners of the globe.

The resort was the vision of the late Papa Tom Hesketh and Papa Ernie Burgess.

According to Andrew Whittaker, chief executive officer of Island Hotels Limited, Papa Tom and Papa Ernie loved the people of the Cook Islands and wanted to invest in the community.

The Edgewater continues to be the leading resort in Rarotonga for both locals to enjoy and visitors to experience, says Whittaker.

“The success of this Resort is it’s team,” he said. “We are acknowledging employees who have been loyal to the Resort by giving over 40 years of service. We have over 15 current employees who have given 20+ years of service.”

“As the CEO for the Edgewater Resort and Spa it humbles me to work alongside such great ambassadors for the Resort who continue to give their best day after day,”

Upokoina “Ina” Phillip, the longest serving employee at The Edgewater Resort, has dedicated 44 years to this iconic destination.

Phillip embodies the spirit and history of the resort, witnessing its progress over the decades.

Her journey in hospitality began six years after the resort opened its doors, when she started employment as a 16-year-old teenager straight out of Tereora College.

Since then, she has become a cherished figure among guests and staff alike.

Phillip started in housekeeping, outside in the grounds and in the laundry.

There were only 32 rooms at the time. She recalls blocks 600 and 700 had 12 rooms each, and there were A Frames and units.

“My boss back then was Ngatia (nee Hanchard) Koteka, she was the manager. There was six of us then doing the laundry.”

Phillip is now the housekeeping supervisor looking over 32 staff.

“I feel happy still being here, and to see the resort being extended and growing,” she says. “It’s been good and I enjoy my job.”

For over four decades Phillip has seen thousands walk in out of The Edgewater doors.

“I’ve seen so many good tourists, but some are so stubborn…”

Phillip shares that she has stayed on at the resort because of the good, fair managers.

“If you’ve got good bosses you will stay on, if you don’t have a good boss maybe I would have left already.”

She particularly noted Rouru Bishop who introduced morning devotions when she started in housekeeping.

“On her first day in 1995 she did devotions, I was impressed, and the devotions still goes on now.”

Phillip is also grateful to Bishop, who always does something special for an employee’s birthday.

“I told her (Bishop), when she leaves this place, I’ll leave as well.”

Rouru Bishop, is the executive housekeeper in charge of housekeeping, the grounds and laundry, and taking care of a team of 36 – 40 staff.

She joined The Edgewater Resort on April 15, 1996.

At the age of 73, she is still very active, keeps fit, and is trim and healthy.

“I’m motivated by the encouragement and training we have here,” says Bishop.

“When I started here, as a mother, I believed I knew it all about housekeeping, but here it was something else so I got to learn.”

Bishop observed as much as she could and read magazines to see what hotels were all about.

When she first walked in 28 years ago, she noted that the morale of the staff needed a boost.

“So, I started the devotion. It gets our day off to a good start,” recalls Bishop. “Mind you it was challenging because people had their different religions. But I would quietly if you’re not comfortable you don’t have to join in. But everyone joined in.”

“What I’ve seen sometimes is, some didn’t even know how to pray, and slowly some have learnt.”

In earlier days, one of her biggest fears was not enough staff.

“I was always short of staff. And my fear coming to work was whether I’ve got enough staff to clean, that was my fear every day when I first started,” Bishop shares.

“Sometimes it was a struggle because we didn’t have enough equipment or staff.”

The establishment of an onsite daycare at the resort for employees with babies and young children is a special highlight for Bishop.

“We needed a daycare for our women with babies who didn’t have their mums or aunties or family to baby sit their kids,” she says.

“We needed workers, and these mums needed daycare … so we had our daycare here for seven years so women could come to work.

“And we were so blessed during that time, not only my team but the restaurant staff etc.”

Bishop acknowledged the director at that time who agreed and supported the initiative and paid the woman who was looking after the children.

The other special moments for her include the hosting of many conferences and events at the resort.  

During these times, staff, management and everyone would be working around the clock, working hard, making sure everything is done and ready.

“For the Pacific Leaders conference, we had to convert rooms into a conference room, a media room…  we did it, we delivered it.

“All of us came together and worked together – and that is a highlight for me.”

Bishop shows no signs of slowing down.

“I’m enjoying it and I don’t know when I want to retire,” she says.

Her advice to other mums: “Don’t slack yourself, don’t eat too much, exercise and do something, visit friends, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy.”

Bishop would like to express her thanks to everyone past and present especially those under her leadership for their hard work, commitment and dedication.

“Thank you to all my children, families and my husband, kia akameitaki mai te atua ia tatou katoatoa.”

The Edgewater Resort and Spa 50-year celebrations will continue through to Sunday. On Saturday night from 6pm there will be an island night with entertainment by the Akirata Dance troupe and a special announcement.

On Sunday, staff will attend the church service at the Arorangi CICC church. Former staff will indulge in a brunch at the resort.