The Aitutaki Lagoon Management Plan 2026–2030 was launched on Thursday. MMR/26102340
“Our grandparents, our tupuna, handed this lagoon to us. So let us not be the generation that lets it go. Let us be the generation that brings it back.”
Aitutaki mayor Nicholas Henry delivered this call at the launch of the Aitutaki Lagoon Management Plan 2026–2030 this week.
Recalling the lagoon’s once-abundant marine life, the mayor was visibly emotional as he urged renewed stewardship to ensure the world-famous natural resource continues to sustain Aitutakians into the future.
Ministry of Marine Resources Inshore Fisheries and Aquaculture director Kori Raumea said the launch marked a new action phase for Aitutaki’s lagoon – the island’s “heartbeat”.
The plan has been five years in development, building on decades of concern about the state of Aitutaki’s lagoon.
“This launch is not the conclusion of our work – it marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to the lagoon’s future” shared Raumea.
Adding to Raumea’s reminder that the talk of the plan must now move to “walking” and action, Papa Orometua Ru Takina of the LDS church said hard “shoulder to the wheel” work would be required for successfully “walking the talk” captured in the Lagoon Management Plan.
The plan prioritises stronger ra’ui protection and fisheries compliance, alongside expanded coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal. It also proposes commercial-user licencing to help fund lagoon care, with arrangements to be developed through consultation.
Following on from the plan launch, implementation partners across the six key objectives will be shifting the words to action, with stakeholder committees encouraged to participate. Combining traditional knowledge and science, the plan will be implemented by MMR, the National Environment Service and other public sector leads in partnership with the Island Council and people of Aitutaki.
Thursday’s digital launch also included a call for Aitutaki creatives of all ages to enter an ALMP logo and artwork competition, with NZ$1500 in prizes. The winning works will feature on the front cover of the printed version of the plan, timed before the end of 2026.
Paying homage to the strengths of culture and identity as part of Aitutaki’s natural beauty, Araura Primary School students celebrated the occasion with a stirring and powerful rendition of two Cook Islands classics from Aitutaki, “Ukarau” and “Taku manu e”, before ending the launch event with a drum dance.
The digital plan is available at www.aitutaki.gov.ck as one of the Island Council’s three key planning documents, guiding efforts to protect lagoon resources, livelihoods and the island’s cultural inheritance for future generations.
- Lisa W/MMR