Te Mato Manava Turoto (Cook Islands Tourism) Mana Tiaki programme is blossoming into a very successful educational initiative with Titikaveka College.

Term 1 saw students fully embrace the Mana Tiaki values – Akono i te Ao Rangi (environment), Peu Maori (culture), Turanga Tangata (community), and Kimi Pu'apinga (commerce) – culminating in a reo Maori speech competition celebrating these core principles. The top five winners were then hosted by the Muri Environment Care Group (MEC) to further explore the environmental pillar, Akono i te Ao Rangi.

This field trip proved to be an enlightening experience. Students learned about the importance of various plant species in restoring the island's ecology and even got their hands dirty by planting their own trees.

Looking ahead, Term 2 will see planting incorporated directly into the Titikaveka College curriculum. The Regenerative Tourism Team is excited to continue nurturing this valuable partnership and recognizes the MEC's significant contributions to the Cook Islands.