Rolling up our sleeves to help isolated communities thrive and build a resilient future – it was
all part of a Waipā District Council outreach to a remote part of the Cook Islands.
Two of the council’s staff, principal engineer for growth Tony Coutts and asset planning
engineer Charmian Stone, travelled to Mauke, one of the pa enua (outer islands) of the Cook
Islands, last November to provide expert guidance in asset management.
The visit was part of an initiative led and funded by PacificTA, in partnership with the Office
of the Prime Minister and Infrastructure Cook Islands.
In Mauke, Coutts and Stone worked closely with the local government team, assessing the
island’s infrastructure and providing hands-on training in the AssetFinda management
system.
This will give the island a strong foundation to track its assets efficiently and plan for longterm maintenance.
"It’s more than just collecting data — it’s about empowering local people with the tools and
knowledge to manage their assets effectively, advocate for funding, and building a more
resilient future for their community,” said Coutts.
“It was important for us to work alongside their team, with the people of Mauke in mind.
Seeing their passion and commitment to doing right by their people, reinforced why this work
matters. It’s about ensuring communities have the resources they need to thrive — not just
today, but for generations to come.”
The Mauke Island Government manages critical assets including the island’s solar power
plant, wharf, seawalls, airport, and water network.
"It’s not just about making a list of what’s there – asset management is a journey,” Coutts
said. “From construction to deconstruction, you have to anticipate risks, secure resources
and manage depreciation. The next step for Mauke is to use these plans for funding
applications and infrastructure decisions.”
Group Manager Service Delivery Dawn Inglis said Waipā District Council is privileged to be
involved in the PacificTA programme. “We are fortunate to have two of our staff participate in
this important initiative. Their experience and knowledge are essential in helping Mauke
strengthen its infrastructure.”
The visit also deepened relationships between Waipā, Infrastructure Cook Islands, and other
New Zealand local authorities involved in the programme.
Future initiatives will continue to build on this progress. This week, representatives from the
five outer islands, Infrastructure Cook Islands and Cook Islands Investment Corporation are
travelling to New Zealand to meet with Waipā District Council and other local councils.
