Forty applications from across the Cook Islands were received for the New Zealand High Commission (NZHC) fund which was focused on the kaupapa or theme of “Turanga Memeitaki” or “Wellbeing for All”.

Tui Dewes, New Zealand High Commissioner was delighted to meet the successful applicants of the fund this week.

Nui Rarotonga, the Pregnancy Care Centre aimed for pregnant women to prepare better for their new babies, is pleased to be one of the recipients.

This free community-based course is focused on empowering women with knowledge and support about pregnancy, birth and baby’s arrival.

Lisa Hesp, coordinator of Nui Rarotonga said their funding will be used to  deliver three community workshops aimed at supporting new parents with their newborn pepe (baby) which will include baby massage, managing pepe sleep, feeding, crying, as well as first aid and common illnesses.

These seminars will involve the tools to manage sleep, feeding, crying and other new-born behaviours; as well as a health professionals’ development workshop on improving healthcare provided to new mothers and their pepe.

A workshop targeted at nursing students and health professionals to upskill with providing Healthcare to new parents and newborns will also be delivered.

The first Nui Rarotonga workshop will be facilitated in March 2024, all four will be delivered by the end of 2024.

Following an extensive assessment process, the NZHC would like to also congratulate the following successful applicants which include Aitutaki Oe Vaka, who will receive funding for their Te Vaka Venture Holiday Programme, which will focus on engaging youth in oe vaka and promoting water safety, health and fitness, and greater connectivity with the natural environment.

Apii Nikao will be supported to establish sensory learning spaces for inclusive education students and their teacher aides, as well as the wider student population, to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students to better regulate sensory input, manage emotions and enhance focus.

Blackrock Preschool in Nikao will receive support to renovate their outdoor playground and provide new outdoor play equipment to improve child safety and enhance their play experience, as well as the Paws & Claws Cat Sanctuary in Matavera, who will be constructing a learning centre to facilitate hands-on learning and interaction programmes to enhance empathy and well-being in the community.

More recipients of the Turanga Memeitaki fund are: Regenerate Cook Islands, who will be delivering community and school workshops on organic regenerative growing, organic pest and weed management techniques, seed saving, propagation and compost/fertiliser making; Araki Growers & Fishing Association in Atiu, who set up a smart water irrigation system for their plantation fields; and the Veitatei Puna in Mangaia, who will receive funding to construct fencing for their taro plantations to protect existing irrigation and taro patches from wild pigs.

Both Te Kopapa Reo Māori and Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation also received support from NZHC.

A further announcement, including on the criteria and application process for the next round of the NZHC fund, will be made in due course.