Avarua Town Plan - Te Tau Papa O Avarua

🌸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

Meet the four local construction crews who joined forces to complete our new buildings at the Punanga Nui Market .

💪 GIO Contractors
💪 NIA Building
💪 Complete Construction
💪 Raroweld

Also pictured are our Site Technicians from KDE Consult Ltd — Andre Tuiravakai and Chris Manu (Jnr).

Meitaki ma‘ata to each of these teams for their commitment and teamwork throughout the build. A special acknowledgment to the families behind them — for the long evenings, missed dinners, unfinished chores 🫣 and endless patience while their loved ones worked tirelessly to create this special place for our people. ❤️

This project is a true reflection of what can be achieved when we work together — channeling our energy, skills, and talent toward a shared vision.

We’re proud that these buildings were largely designed, built, and project managed by Cook Islanders, with support from others who shared their expertise along the way.

A genuine team effort — by our people, for our people. 🌺🙏🏽

Te Tau Papa o Avarua means “the foundation of Avarua.” The name was gifted by Numangatini Ariki, Tangi Tereapii (pictured, right), and it is fitting — as these Phase 1 works form the very foundation for future developments that will continue to strengthen the heart of our town. Phase 1 is part of the larger 20-year Te Tau Papa o Avarua Masterplan.

Numangatini Ariki also gifted the name Te Tapora Kai, meaning “the basket of food.” A fitting name for the new building that can accommodate 70 vendors, selling fresh produce, crafts, packaged food, and many other local treasures.

The three new buildings sit within the wider Punanga Nui Market — a name that also carries its own legacy. “Te Punanga Nui” was gifted by Mr Raea Utia, a cultural teacher at Tereora College, after winning a public name-search competition in 1992, when the market was first established. The name means “the great gathering place” — perfectly describing what our market has become: a home for our people and our visitors alike.

We're so grateful to those who gifted these names — and we’ll continue to honour their meaning and legacy as the market grows. 🌿❤️

📸 Curly Esther Taripo

Rangi Williams and her family — well known for their colourful slushies — have been part of the Punanga Nui Market family for about 15 years. Yesterday, she and her children set up near the entertainment stage, joining other vendors who have been temporarily relocated during this transition phase.

Grassroots vendors who were previously based in the western carpark — particularly those selling fresh produce and packaged food — have now moved into the new Te Tapora Kai building. The western carpark has been reinstated for parking.

There is no cooking permitted inside the new building — this was a special request from vendors who, over the years, found that cooking fumes affected their crafts. Vendors who cook onsite have been moved to PNM Central, where they’ll remain until the new eateries area is completed.

The developments taking shape across the market are all about helping families like Rangi’s continue to thrive — creating safer, more accessible spaces for our children, elders, and vulnerable community members. There’s still work ahead, but judging from yesterdays number of visitors, it's a great start 🌸

E moemoeā kua tupu
E 'ua tei tanumia 'ia
E tiare kua pu'era
E ‘akairo nō te vaerua tā’okota'i
E kapakapa ei tāmaru, ei ākono meitaki, ei akako’uko’u i tō tātou iti tangata i teia rā e no apōpō
E kōreromotu nā mātou ki te uki nō apōpō

A dream has come to life
The planting of a seed and now the bloom of a flower
A symbol of hard work, collaboration and working together
A shelter to care and bring our people together for today and tomorrow
A dream now a reality for the generations of tomorrow

Cash made easy at Te Tapora Kai💰

We’re excited to share that BCI has established its very first offsite ATM right here at Te Tapora Kai! 🙌🏽

When visitors are dropped off at the entrance of the building, one of the first things they’ll see is the shiny new ATM — making it easy to grab cash before heading inside to support our grassroots vendors.

The ATM is accessible throughout the week, giving everyone the convenience of withdrawing cash before market day or while visiting the area. Most vendors will likely continue trading the good old-fashioned way — cash in hand! So don’t forget to stop by the Bank of the Cook Islands ATM before you shop.

Meitaki ma‘ata to Jenny and her amazing team at BCI — the people’s bank truly making trading more convenient for our little people 💚