Island teams have started fundraising for the Cook Islands Games that will be held from October 4–19, 2024.

Mauke, crowned champions of the first Cook Islands Games during the Covid pandemic in 2020, is organising a barbequed fish breakfast fundraiser this Friday.

The fish were sent all the way from Akatokamanava, Mauke, in support of the team preparing for the biennial games.

The people of Mauke have kindly donated 40 tuna to assist the island team’s big fundraising event to help raise essential funds.

Akaiti Purea, a team leader for Mauke, expressed her gratitude to the people in the homeland for their generous contributions and aroa towards the fundraising event.

“E Akameitaki ia Iehova, e meitaki oki tona: ka tu oki tona aroa e rimua. Te na roto atu nei iaku te akameitaki i te Enua Tangata i Akatokamanava no teia aka tauturu tei rauka. Kare i manako ia ana, no te tupoto o te taime. Inara na roto i te aratakianga a to tatou Metua Atua, kua rauka teia.”

As well as fish meals, there will be lamb curry and Aunty Apii’s tasty chicken wings available from 7am at the Rarotonga Golf Club for the Mauke Golf Ambrose.

To register a team of six (including one Club golfer) for the Ambrose, a fee of $150 is required. Tee off times is 9am, 1pm and 4.15pm. Contact Jacquie Urlich or Vanic Teina on phone 78755 for more information.

A radiothon will also be held on the day from 12 noon to 6pm on Radio Cook Islands.

Mauke won the inaugural Cook Islands Games followed by Aitutaki and Mangaia in second and third, respectively.

In 2022, Team Mangaia took home the coveted champion trophy.

Over 3200 athletes of all ages registered for the 2022 Games which saw over 800 medals awarded across 25 sports codes.