Prime Minister Mark Brown has called for reports on the extent of the damage caused by sea waves that have been pounding the southern coasts of Rarotonga and the Pa Enua over the past two days.

“People will recall the flooding that happened a couple of years ago that affected homes in Avatiu and Arorangi.  At that time government assisted affected homes with loss of applicances, and flood damage etc.  Soon after that we established a fund for Emergency Support in the event of another flood. We stand ready to assist those households that have been damaged,” Brown said in a statement last night.

“The first thing to do is to assess the damage and how much will be needed.”

Resorts, homes and businesses on the south coast of Rarotonga have suffered substantial damage. Swells driven by a high pressure weather event near New Zealand have crashed into many beachside resorts, visitor accommodation properties and private homes on the southern and west side of the island.

Prime Minister Brown said a forecast of visitor numbers for this time coinciding with the New¸Zealand school holidays, indicated the Cook Islands would receive a record number of visitors. “I feel for our visitor industry, which is just starting to get back on it’s feet after more than two years of lost income and opportunity brought on by the Covid pandemic and the border closures it caused.

“But, we have faced these challenges before and we will bounce back again.”