The Ministry of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) will prioritise road sealing and drainage works this year.

The Ministry hopes to initiate its major capital investment projects in the coming months, beginning with the refurbishment of the Nikao backroad.

A total of $5.9 million was appropriated in the 2024-2025 budget for road works and the majority of this will be utilised on the improvement of the Nikao road.  

Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands, Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, said that in the asphalt sealing of main roads, the Ministry’s focus will be on the Nikao backroad.

The other area of focus this year will be the design work for the remainder of the Rarotonga main road’s road and drainage.

Wright-Koteka says ICI is currently undertaking maintenance on the Arorangi back road from Inave to Akaoa and this work will utilise the remainder of the road maintenance budget for 2024/25 financial year. 

Work on the backroad began last week with milling the old seal off the road in preparation to lay a brand new one in the weeks to come.

According to ICI, the project is part of their road maintenance programme where each village gets sections of backroads or link roads maintained.

“The extent of road maintenance in the 2025/26 financial year will depend on the budget appropriated for this purpose,” Wright-Koteka said.

“Nonetheless, ICI is planning to begin major maintenance on the Avana to Tupapa backroad. The budget appropriation will determine the scope of the backroad work. Also needing attention are link roads in Arorangi and Matavera.”

Wright-Koteka said ICI also anticipates that the 2025/26 budget will provide designated drainage maintenance funds to increase the level of drainage works required around our waterways and roads.  

ICI is working with the National Environment Service to ensure that the proper clearances are received for drainage works.

According to the ICI Road Asset Management and Improvement Programme (RAMP) published in the 2024-25 budget book, the Rarotonga road network spans approximately 201 kilometres with varying degree of wear and tear and some sections of roads have experienced considerable deterioration due to weather conditions, erosion and heavy usage, failing to meet required standards of service.