Aitutaki is gearing up to host Pacific Island leaders taking part in the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga.

Nick Henry, of Tamanu Beach Resort in Aitutaki, said residents had been out and about, putting the final touches in place, in a combined effort to get the island looking good.

Forum member leaders are scheduled to depart Rarotonga for Aitutaki at 2pm on Wednesday and be welcomed on the island about 3.45pm.

From 6pm to 8pm a Forum Leader’s dinner with be hosted by Secretary General Henry Puna at Tamanu Beach Resort.

About 40 people are booked to stay at the resort overnight Wednesday.

On Thursday they will get a glimpse of the island’s beauty when they depart O’otu Wharf on board Vaka Teariki Moana and Vaka Titi-Ai-Tonga for a lagoon cruise and Leaders Retreat.    

The planting of a Tamanu Tree on One Foot Island is scheduled around 12 noon followed by an official photograph, and then an official press conference at 3pm in Aitutaki Village.

They then depart for Rarotonga.    

Henry said the island had set itself deadlines in the lead up to the event.

“It’s great to have deadlines, it pushes everyone to get things done.”

He said the Leaders Retreat would be a real opportunity for them to have one on one time – spouses would have a different programme.

“It’s a spring clean, you want to impress them,” Henry said of the preparations.

“Everyone will be on their best behaviour.”

In terms of the logistics, Henry said they were fortunate in that it was only about 40 people.

“We have all the ingredients in place.”

Security measures would also be in place with the resort going into “lockdown” for the duration of the leaders visit.

“It’s quite an opportunity for the island.”

About 58 staff at Tamanu would be on duty, supported by government officials and police.