Tu Rangatira Awards - Te Maeva Nui NZ

Tu Rangatira Awards - 2nd October 2025

Te Maeva Nui o Aotearoa New Zealand Charitable Trust will host its annual Tu Rangatira awards to celebrate Cook Islanders who have made a significant mark on the world.

These people have made advances in fields ranging from community service, to business and enterprise. The Tu Rangatira Awards is our opportunity to bring recognition to their achievements – giving each recipient a platform to share their strengths.

The board of trustees will recognise Cook Islanders in the following categories.

BUSINESS

The Business Award celebrates excellence, innovation, and leadership in enterprise.

Nominees may be registered business owners, entrepreneurs, or organisations who have:

Achieved business success while upholding Cook Islands values and ethics.
Created economic opportunities and employment.
Contributed to community wellbeing or supported cultural initiatives.
Demonstrated innovation, resilience, or sustainability in their business model.

INTERNATIONAL

This category recognises Cook Islands people or descendants who have made a significant impact abroad, representing our culture and people with pride.

Nominees will have:

Achieved excellence in their field while based internationally.
Positively represented the Cook Islands on the world stage (e.g. diplomacy, humanitarian work, arts, business, academia, sport).
Strengthened ties between global communities and the Cook Islands.
Advocated for Cook Islands identity, language, or values abroad.

SPORTS

This award honours an individual or team who has achieved outstanding success in sports, while upholding the values of discipline, leadership, and cultural pride.

Nominees will have:

Excelled in their chosen sport at a regional, national, or international level.
Demonstrated sportsmanship, dedication, and integrity.
Inspired others through leadership or mentoring roles in the sports community.
Actively contributed to the development of sport among Cook Islands youth or communities.

YOUTH

This award honours a young Cook Islander (generally under the age of 30) who demonstrates leadership, cultural pride, and excellence in any area of life.

Nominees will have:

Made notable achievements in school, the arts, sport, community service, or other fields.
Acted as a role model and leader among their peers.
Promoted Cook Islands culture and values in their actions.
Inspired hope and pride in the future of our people.

HEALTH

This award celebrates those who have significantly contributed to the health and well-being of others, whether through medical practice, community health, advocacy, or innovation.

Nominees may include doctors, nurses, health workers, traditional healers, or health champions who have:

Delivered outstanding care or led health initiatives.
Promoted physical, mental, or spiritual well-being within the Cook Islands or diaspora communities.
Contributed to health education, prevention, or policy.
Been a voice for vulnerable or underserved populations.

COMMUNITY

The Community Award recognises individuals or groups whose tireless efforts uplift, connect, and support their people.

Nominees will have:

Served their community through voluntary or grassroots leadership.
Addressed social issues, uplifted vulnerable members, or built cultural resilience.
Shown long-term commitment to making a difference.
Strengthened Cook Islands identity, unity, and wellbeing through their work.

EDUCATION

This category recognises educators, advocates, and champions of learning who have contributed to knowledge, language preservation, and educational advancement.

Nominees will have:

Demonstrated excellence in teaching, mentoring, or academic leadership.
Developed or led innovative educational programmes.
Advanced the teaching of Cook Islands language, culture, or history.
Worked to increase access to quality education for Cook Islands learners.

CREATIVE

This award recognises artistic excellence and cultural expression across all creative fields, including visual arts, music, performance, literature, design, and digital media.

Nominees will have:

Produced exceptional creative work rooted in or inspired by Cook Islands identity.
Pushed boundaries or preserved traditional art forms through their practice.
Used creativity to uplift, educate, or inspire their community.
Contributed to the visibility of Cook Islands stories, language, or heritage.

Tu Rangatira 2021

The Awards Gala Dinner will launch the three day Te Maeva Nui NZ festival. This festival has been celebrated in the Cook Islands for the last 58 years, capturing the essence of our cultural identity through music, dance, language, performance, food and also arts and craft.

Tu Rangatira Awards is one of the three pillar’s that hold the fort of the Te Maeva Nui NZ.

The Awards Gala the one and only event where we are able to celebrate an indvidual for his or her excellences in their fields.