15/11/2025
🌸APPRECIATION NOTICE🌸
Te Tau Papa o Avarua – Phase 1 Development Works Completion.
On 15 October 2025, the three new buildings at Punanga Nui Market were officially opened, marking the successful completion of Phase 1 of the Te Tau Papa o Avarua (TTPA) Masterplan — a long-term programme to revitalise Avarua Township and create spaces that better serve both residents and visitors.
This first phase delivered Te Tāpora Kai — an authentic farmers and crafts market — along with the new Are Kai Moana fish market and the Terevete toilet block. Together, these facilities were designed to strengthen grassroots economic activity, provide safe and accessible trading spaces for local vendors, and enhance the overall visitor experience at the Punanga Nui Market.
In addition to the buildings, the phase also included significant civil and landscaping works, introducing new access ways, permeable carparks, and improved pedestrian safety features to support better accessibility and smoother traffic flow throughout the area.
Te Tāpora Kai now hosts up to 70 vendors every Saturday, with smaller numbers trading during the week, complementing 150 existing stalls across the wider market for a total capacity of around 220 vendors.
The new facilities provide modern amenities and shared spaces that foster cultural exchange, social connection, and small business growth. Construction was delivered entirely by Cook Islands workers and businesses, ensuring that the economic benefits of this investment remain within our local community.
The Cook Islands Investment Corporation extends its sincere appreciation to all who contributed to the successful delivery of this work. This is more than a set of buildings — it is a community space that belongs to our people.
• To our contractors and suppliers – Meitaki ma‘ata for your professionalism, commitment, and quality workmanship. The greatest success of this project came from your willingness to work alongside one another — showing flexibility with timing, resources, and schedules to achieve shared goals. Your cooperation and teamwork exemplify the true spirit of partnership and ensured these facilities were delivered to the highest standard our community deserves.
• To our vendors – thank you for your patience and resilience throughout the transition. We acknowledge the disruption caused by construction and relocation and deeply appreciate your understanding and adaptability. These new spaces reflect your perseverance and the vital role you play in the life of the Punanga Nui Market.
• To Punanga Nui Market management and staff – thank you for maintaining day-to-day operations and supporting vendors and visitors during this period of change.
• To our community – Meitaki ma‘ata for your encouragement, trust, and shared belief in this vision.
• To our partnering agencies — the Crown Law Office, the New Zealand High Commission, Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) — your partnership ensured that the project met its legal, financial, and operational requirements, and helped us navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Meitaki ma‘ata for your guidance and technical support throughout the planning and delivery phases.
• To the Infrastructure Trust Fund (ITF) – we extend our sincere appreciation for your financial support. Your contribution made this work possible and enabled our local contractors, suppliers, and workers to deliver facilities our community can be proud of.
Together, we have achieved more than the construction of new buildings — we have strengthened the foundation of our local economy and created a vibrant, resilient space for generations to come.
Cook Islands Investment Corporation
Te Tau Papa o Avarua Project Team
