AGP Executive Report

Mauke Hospital: Climate-resilient upgrades are underway, including a new roof, better rainwater collection and emergency storage, improved disability access and plans for solar power. Work is expected to finish in December. Obesity Data: The Cook Islands is ranked third globally, with an estimated 72% of adults classified as obese, but Te Marae Ora is collecting local data to check the figures. Regional Health Services: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–2030 Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands and prioritises better access to healthcare, alongside climate-resilient infrastructure and economic opportunities. Health Priorities: The incoming Opposition leader says health services will be a focus in the next four years, alongside living costs and government accountability.

Mauke Hospital: Work has begun on a climate-resilient upgrade, including a new roof, better rainwater collection and storage, improved disability access and plans for solar power. The project is expected to finish in December. Health Capacity: A WHO regional report says the Cook Islands recorded one of the largest increases in hospital-bed capacity and added 28.8 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people—the region’s second-largest gain. Obesity Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own figures after an international index ranked the Cook Islands third globally, estimating that almost 72 per cent of adults are obese. Regional Health Support: The ADB’s five-year Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands and prioritises better access to health care and other essential services, alongside climate-resilient infrastructure.

Regional Health Funding: The Asian Development Bank’s five-year Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands and aims to improve access to healthcare and other essential services, while strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure. Health Priorities: Incoming Opposition leader Robert Heather says health services will be a focus alongside living costs and government accountability. Mauke Hospital: Work has begun on a climate-resilient upgrade, including a new roof, improved rainwater collection and emergency storage, accessible bathroom facilities and solar infrastructure. The project is expected to finish in December. Obesity Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data after an international index ranked the Cook Islands third globally for obesity, estimating nearly 72 per cent of adults are obese. Hospital Capacity: A WHO regional report says the Cook Islands recorded one of the largest increases in hospital beds per capita among countries with trend data.

Pacific Health Funding: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–2030 strategy includes the Cook Islands among 12 Pacific nations, with priorities covering better access to health care and more climate-resilient infrastructure. Mauke Hospital: A climate-resilience upgrade is underway, including a new roof, improved rainwater collection and storage, accessible bathroom facilities and planned solar infrastructure. The work is part of a NZ$23.4 million programme to strengthen Cook Islands health facilities. Health Priorities: The incoming Opposition leader says health services will be a focus over the next four years, alongside living costs and government accountability. Obesity Data: The Cook Islands ranks third in a global obesity index, which reports nearly 72 per cent of adults are obese. Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to establish a more accurate picture. Health Capacity: A regional WHO report places the Cook Islands among the Pacific’s largest gainers in hospital beds and health workers, though it gives no specific current capacity figure.

Hospital Resilience: Work has begun on a climate-ready upgrade to Mauke Hospital, including a new roof, better rainwater collection and storage, accessible bathrooms and solar infrastructure. The project is expected to finish in December. Health Priorities: The incoming Opposition leader says health services, living costs and government accountability will be priorities over the next four years. Obesity: Cook Islands is ranked third globally for obesity, with one index estimating nearly 72% of adults are obese. Te Marae Ora is gathering its own data to check the figures. Emergency Readiness: As Cyclone Wati threatened the southern islands, local teams cleared roads to keep hospital access open; some homes lost power and residents were evacuated. Health Capacity: A regional WHO report places the Cook Islands among the Pacific’s leaders in hospital-bed capacity and records one of the region’s largest increases in nurses and midwives.

Hospital Resilience: Work has begun to upgrade Mauke Hospital with a stronger roof, improved rainwater collection and storage, accessible bathrooms and solar infrastructure. The climate-resilient improvements are expected to be completed in December. Obesity Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own figures after an international index ranked the Cook Islands third globally, estimating that nearly 72% of adults are obese. Cyclone Response: Tropical Cyclone Wati brought damaging winds and swells to the southern islands, prompting evacuations and road patrols to keep routes to hospital clear. Health Capacity: A regional WHO report found Cook Islands hospital-bed capacity among the highest in the Western Pacific, while nurse and midwife numbers have also grown.

Health Priorities: Incoming Opposition leader Robert Heather says health services, living costs and government accountability will be central to his agenda for the next four years. Mauke Hospital: A climate-resilient upgrade is underway, including a new roof, improved rainwater collection and emergency storage, accessible bathroom facilities and plans for solar power. Work is expected to finish in December. Obesity Data: The Cook Islands is ranked third globally for obesity, with an index estimate that nearly 72 per cent of adults are obese. Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to establish a more accurate picture. Cyclone Readiness: As Cyclone Wati crossed the southern islands, local leaders reported power outages and damage, while crews cleared roads to keep emergency access to hospital open. Regional Health: A WHO report found hospital-bed capacity has grown in the Cook Islands, while nurse and midwife numbers also recorded a large increase.

Mauke Hospital: Work has begun on a climate-resilient upgrade, including a new roof, better rainwater collection and storage, accessible bathroom facilities and solar infrastructure. The project is expected to finish in December. Obesity Data: The Cook Islands is ranked third globally, with an index reporting almost 72% of adults are obese. Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to check the figures. Health Workforce: Regional figures show the Cook Islands recorded one of the largest increases in nurses and midwives, adding 28.8 per 10,000 people. Healthy Eating: World Food Day brought local farmers, food vendors and health educators together to promote home-grown produce and healthier food choices.

Obesity: Cook Islands ranks third globally, with an index estimate that nearly 72% of adults are obese. Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to check the figures. Healthy Eating: World Food Day brought farmers, vendors and health educators together to promote local produce and healthier food choices. Youth Wellbeing: Cook Islands representatives joined regional talks on mental health, substance abuse and sexual health education, with a youth committee planned to follow up. Health Services: A regional WHO report says Cook Islands hospital-bed capacity and nursing and midwifery numbers have grown, though access to care varies widely across the Pacific. Cyclone Response: As Wati crossed the southern islands, Aitutaki teams cleared roads to keep emergency access to hospital open.

Obesity and Data: The Cook Islands ranks third globally in an index reporting obesity among nearly 72% of adults, but Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to check the figures. Eye Care: A new vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital is expanding access to eye checks and affordable glasses. Health Services: WHO data show the Cook Islands among the countries with the largest gains in hospital-bed capacity; nurse and midwife numbers also rose by 28.8 per 10,000 people. Healthy Eating: World Food Day brought farmers, food vendors and health educators together to promote local produce and healthier choices.

Youth Wellbeing: Cook Islands representatives joined Pacific youth discussions on mental health, substance use and sexual and reproductive health education, with participants committing to establish a regional youth committee. Obesity Data: The Cook Islands ranks third globally for obesity, with an index estimating nearly 72% of adults are affected; Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to check the figures. Health Services: A WHO regional report puts the Cook Islands among countries with the largest recent gains in hospital-bed capacity, while nurse and midwife numbers also rose sharply. Cyclone Preparedness: After Cyclone Wati passed through the southern islands, Aitutaki reported limited damage; seven people had been evacuated from lagoon-side homes, and local teams worked to keep routes clear for hospital emergencies. Nutrition and Eye Care: World Food Day events promoted local produce and healthier eating, while a new vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital is expanding access to eye care and affordable glasses.

Obesity: Cook Islands ranks third globally in an index reporting obesity among nearly 72% of adults, but Te Marae Ora says it is collecting local data to verify the figures. Youth Wellbeing: Cook Islands representatives joined Pacific discussions on mental health, substance use and sexual and reproductive health education, with a regional youth committee planned to follow up on concerns. Eye Care: A new vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital aims to expand access to eye-care services and affordable glasses nationwide. Health Services: A WHO regional report recorded major gains in Cook Islands hospital-bed capacity and nurse and midwife numbers, though the figures do not show how evenly services are available across the islands.

Obesity Data: The Cook Islands ranks third globally on an obesity index, which estimates nearly 72% of adults are obese. Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to check the figures. Health Services: A regional WHO report places the Cook Islands among the Pacific’s leaders in hospital-bed capacity and records one of the region’s largest increases in nurses and midwives. Eye Care: A new vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital expands access to eye-care services and affordable glasses. Healthy Eating: World Food Day brought local farmers, food vendors and health educators together to promote local produce and healthier food choices.

Essential Services: The Asian Development Bank’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands, with priorities spanning essential services, resilient infrastructure and economic opportunities. Cyclone Wati: Aitutaki escaped major damage, but the storm brought rough seas, power outages and evacuations; local teams cleared roads in case residents needed hospital access. Health Capacity: A WHO regional report places the Cook Islands among countries with higher hospital-bed capacity, while nurse and midwife numbers have also grown. Eye Care: A new vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital is expanding access to eye checks and affordable glasses across the islands. Food and Wellness: World Food Day events in Rarotonga promoted local produce and healthier eating.

Health Capacity: The Cook Islands recorded one of the region’s largest increases in hospital-bed density, while nurse and midwife numbers rose by 28.8 per 10,000 people, according to a WHO regional report. Cyclone Wati: Aitutaki was left relatively unscathed after the Category 2 storm, but damaging swells and winds knocked out power and seven residents evacuated from stilt homes. Local leaders said patrols kept roads clear for possible hospital emergencies. Eye Care: A new vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital is expanding access to eye-care services and affordable glasses across the Cook Islands. Food and Wellness: World Food Day brought farmers, vendors and health educators together to promote local produce and healthier food choices. Regional Health: Cook Islands and SPC consultations will help shape a five-year partnership covering health, water, resilience and food systems.

Health Capacity: Cook Islands hospital-bed density is among the highest in the Western Pacific, with one of the region’s largest recent increases. Nurse and midwife numbers have also grown, according to WHO data. Cyclone Wati: Aitutaki was relatively unscathed after the Category 2 storm, but power outages, rough seas and damage prompted evacuations and road patrols to keep emergency access clear. Eye Care: A new vision centre at Rarotonga Hospital is expanding access to eye services and affordable glasses across the islands. Remote Health: A New Zealand Defence Force mission to Penrhyn delivered medical and dental services, alongside water and infrastructure improvements. Healthy Eating: World Food Day brought local farmers, food vendors and health educators together to promote home-grown produce and healthier choices.