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Help Support Environmental Education in Aitutaki

  • Big things are happening for GROW Aitutaki!

      27 October 2026
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    We’re excited to share that GROW Aitutaki has received sponsorship from Matson Shipping to help establish a dedicated Learning Centre in the Orongo area!

    This is a huge step forward for our young Water Guardians and environmental protectors. Our learning centre will provide a home base for our tamariki to safely store their marine equipment, protect their gear and have a dedicated space to support their learning, environmental activities and conservation work.

    From exploring our lagoon and protecting marine life to learning about our land, culture and environment, this space will help our young people continue growing as kaitiaki of Aitutaki.

    A heartfelt meitaki atupaka to Matson Shipping for supporting our vision and investing in the future of Aitutaki’s young environmental guardians.

    🌱 Big things are happening for our young protectors of the land and lagoon!

    Every donation and every bit of support brings us closer to empowering our youth to care for the place we call home.

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  • Extension of Page Closing Date

      11 October 2026

    Kia orana everyone,

    We have extended the closing date of our fundraising page to 11 January 2027 to give more people the opportunity to support GROW Aitutaki and our environmental education initiatives for children and youth.

    Every donation helps us create more opportunities for our young people to learn about, protect and care for our beautiful island, lagoon and marine environment.

    Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared our page or supported our work so far. Your generosity makes a real difference as we continue growing opportunities for our tamariki and rangatahi.

    Meitaki Atupaka for being part of our journey and helping us grow a better future for Aitutaki!

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  • Koi Taramea Trip #13

      11 October 2026
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    Koi Taramea #13 removed another 46 from the outer reef. Meitaki Atupaka Tamanu Beach Resort for sponsoring our boat and driver today.

    To date we have removed 1498 taramea, in 13 dives, since June 2026

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  • Our Week at the Cook Islands Climate Change Science Expo

      1 October 2026
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    We came to Rarotonga for the Cook Islands Climate Change Science Expo, but we ended up learning way more than we expected!

    We saw ourselves in the Expo film and even on posters around some of the booths. We walked around meeting people, asking questions and finding out what different organisations actually do.

    We went spearfishing in different waters and compared what we saw with our own reef back home. We spearfished for our dinner which reminded us that knowing how to get our own food from the ocean is an important part of looking after ourselves and our community.

    Then we spent a morning talking whales with Nan Hauser. Hearing about her work and what she has learnt from spending so much time with whales gave us a whole different perspective on these incredible animals and the ocean around us.

    From whales, we went straight into coral restoration, learning how people are helping damaged reefs recover as our oceans warm and coral bleaching becomes a bigger threat.

    The next day we tackled the Cross Island Track and climbed up to The Needle. It was HARD, but we kept going and made it!

    And somehow, after all that, we ended up back at Orau Base for the gala fundraiser supporting the AKTT Hawaii travelling team. It was pretty cool finishing the week surrounded by people we knew and people we had met along the way.

    We came to learn about climate change.

    We left with new experiences, new connections, new confidence and a whole lot of stories to take back to Aitutaki.

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  • Whales in Our Waters!

      21 September 2026
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    GROW Aitutaki was proud to support two days of whale education with Te Ipukarea Society - TIS, working alongside Nan Hauser and Alanna Smith with the Year 7 & 8 students at Araura College.

    The students had an amazing opportunity to learn about whales, their behaviour and the importance of protecting our marine environment.

    A huge Meitaki Atupaka to Te Ipukarea Society, Nan and Alanna for sharing your knowledge and inspiring our tamariki to become guardians of our ocean.

    This valuable learning opportunity was made possible through funding from the New Zealand High Commission, Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

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  • Young Water Guardians in Action!

      10 September 2026
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    GROW Aitutaki was proud to support two days of water safety and rescue skills with the Ocean Toa Cook Islands team and our Year 7 & 8 students from Araura College.

    Day 1 was land based learning, followed by practical sessions at Ootu Beach on Day 2. The students had a great time learning important skills to keep themselves and others safe in the water.

    Meitaki Atupaka to the New Zealand High Commission, Rarotonga, Cook Islands for funding this valuable programme, and to Ocean Toa for sharing your knowledge and expertise with our tamariki.

    Photo credit Ocean Toa

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  • 457 Collected from the Reef

      31 August 2026
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    This weekend we had a team of nine, six of them marine biologist, from Ocean Toa, fly from Rarotonga to help our kids clear the outer reef of crown of thorn starfish. These guys are amazing and the kind of mentors we want to surround our kids with if they’re to carry out this work.

    Thanks Ocean Toa, if you see them around the island give them a high five.

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  • 520 Crown of Thorns Removed in Our Efforts to Protect Our Reef

      9 August 2026
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    Over the past seven weeks, GROW Aitutaki, together with Mike, Aitutaki Coral Restoration & Eco Tours, his crew, and Kōrero o te 'Ōrau have removed 520 taramea (crown of thorns starfish) from Aitutaki’s outer reef. The map shows the locations where they have been collected.

    At first glance, 520 may not seem like a huge number, but it’s important to understand that our dive crew is made up primarily of young free divers aged 11–15 years, supported by a few dedicated adults.

    Every taramea removed is one less threat to our precious coral reefs. We are incredibly proud of these young environmental champions who are giving their time and energy to help protect one of Aitutaki’s greatest treasures.

    Every dive makes a difference.

    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CkjzFwfaQ/

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  • OPERATION TARAMEA AITUTAKI

      28 June 2026
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    On World Ocean Day, Korero o te Orau joined AKTT Aitutaki students and local boat drivers to help remove taramea (crown of thorn starfish) from the reef.

    It was inspiring to see our māpū out on the water exploring, diving, and taking an active role in protecting their reefs. Together, we removed 124 taramea, with $5 paid for each one removed as part of the conservation initiative.

    It was a meaningful day of action, learning, and giving back to our moana. The future of our reefs is brighter when our young people are empowered to care for them!

    https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18oNtr7y8s/

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  • Taramea Reef Removal

      8 June 2026

    Today confirmed that we definitely need long fins for free diving outside the reef. The stronger currents and longer swims make them essential for working safely and efficiently.

    Even in a short time on the reef with Aitutaki Coral Restoration & Eco Tours, we removed 46 taramea. Every one removed helps protect our precious coral reefs.

    https://www.facebook.com/reel/1522468729268733

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