Jackey will be formally celebrated at the Islander Hotel in Rarotonga from 6pm on Wednesday 30 September 2026. Tickets are available directly from the Islander Hotel.

Created in collaboration with Te Kumiti Au Vaine, Tourism Woman of the Month honours the extraordinary contributions of women across the industry. Past recipients include Maeva Taruia-Henry (2025), Connie Halligan (2024) and Pai Chambers (2023).

Now in its fourth year, the 2026 theme, Unsung Heroines, recognises women whose contributions to tourism often happen quietly and without the recognition they deserve. It celebrates the years of care, service and commitment that help keep the industry running and ensure visitors feel genuinely welcome.

Jackey began working at Atiu Villas in 2012 as a gardener, with mowing its expansive lawns among her first responsibilities. She later took on airport transfers, learning to drive while also deepening her knowledge of Atiu, its history and its people.

Since becoming General Manager in 2017, Jackey has grown into one of the familiar faces welcoming visitors to Atiu. She connects them with local people, operators and experiences, while sharing her pride in the island and helping tourism opportunities reach more widely across the community.

Her contribution also carries a deeply personal connection to home. Jackey returned to Atiu in 2011 to care for her grandfather and has remained ever since. She is especially passionate about welcoming Atiuans home after many years away, helping them reconnect with their families, their roots and, where possible, their land.

“Jackey is exactly the kind of woman this recognition was created to celebrate,” says Jean Nootai, Regenerative Tourism Manager, Community & Culture at Te Mato Manava Tūroto.

“Her tourism story did not begin with a title. It began in the gardens at Atiu Villas, mowing lawns. From there, she learned to drive so she could meet flights, deepened her knowledge so she could share Atiu properly, and continued stepping forward until she became General Manager.

“What makes Jackey so special is not only what she has achieved, but what she does with her role. She champions Atiu at every opportunity, connects visitors with local people and experiences, supports tourism across the island and helps Atiuans returning after many years reconnect with their families and home.

“Jackey carries Atiu in everything she does. Her leadership is grounded in service, generosity and genuine love for her people. This is Meitaki and Mana Tiaki in action, and it is exactly the kind of contribution we want to bring out from behind the scenes and celebrate.”

Photograph of Jackey Tanga, Atiu Villas - Winner of 2026 Vaine Manava Tūroto o te Marama – Tourism Woman of the Month

Te Marama o te Manava Tūroto – Tourism Month

Tourism Woman of the Month is part of Te Marama o te Manava Tūroto – Tourism Month 2026, alongside Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata – People’s Choice Awards and Te Arata’a o te Pae Tūroto – Youth Tourism Pathway Programme.

Together, these initiatives support Te Mato Manava Tūroto’s wider work under Te Kaveinga Mana Tiaki o te Ipukarea – Destination Stewardship Plan, placing our people, culture, and communities at the centre of tourism.

For more information, visit cookislands.travel/tourism-woman-month

Ends

For Media Enquiries Contact
Kelly Hansen

Te Mato Manava Tūroto — Cook Islands Tourism Corporation

E: [email protected]   P: 87 896

About Te Mato Manava Tūroto

Te Mato Manava Tūroto (Cook Islands Tourism Corporation) is the national tourism organisation responsible for destination marketing and tourism development in the Cook Islands. It works with industry, government and communities to promote the destination, strengthen tourism capability and enhance the visitor experience. Building on this role, the corporation is placing greater emphasis on destination stewardship, supporting the industry's long-term success while caring for the culture, environment and communities that make the Cook Islands unique.