Birdman of Atiu Honoured with Tourism Legacy Award

Now in their fourth year, the awards drew 464 nominations in a single week and more than 17,000 public votes from across Rarotonga, the Pa Enua and overseas, with nominations arriving from as far away as Switzerland, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The awards were presented by Prime Minister Mark Brown at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday 25 September, ahead of World Tourism Day on Sunday 27 September. Karla Eggelton, CEO of Te Mato Manava Tūroto – Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, and Tourism Board Chair Sir Ewan Smith joined the celebration.

“What makes them so special is that the recognition comes directly from the people,” says Eggelton. “A visitor can thank someone who made their Cook Islands holiday unforgettable. Equally, our own community can recognise the people we see showing up for others every day.”

“What stayed with me were the stories. People remembered someone who greeted them by name, shared their knowledge or took extra care when it mattered. They described being welcomed as friends and made to feel like family. Our islands may be what first catches a visitor's eye. Our people are what stay in their hearts.”

The 2026 Kia Orana Champions

Tangata Kave Karere o te Mata'iti – Tour Guide of the Year: Papatu “Captain Awesome” Jack, Koka Lagoon Cruises, acknowledged for 15 years with Koka Lagoon Cruises and his entertaining tours and connection to culture.

Aka'epaepaanga i te To'a – Hospitality Hero: Joe-Marie “Jam” Magpantay, Kai & Co. Eatery, recognised for warm, personal service and the ability to remember customers' names and orders.

Akono'anga i te Mana Tiaki – Mana Tiaki Guardian: Dr Teina Rongo, Kōrero o te 'Ōrau, recognised for teaching young Cook Islanders to dive and to care for their lagoons. He was represented on the day by his wife, Jackie Rongo.

Tangata Kite Karere o te Pa Enua – Pa Enua Ambassador: Julianna Marsters, Palmerston, recognised for sharing everyday life on Palmerston through social media and showcasing its people, culture and island experiences to the world.

Tangata Akatupu i te kite o'u – Innovation Icon (new for 2026): Katarina “Kat” Jensen, Autism Cook Islands / Studio Blue Café, recognised for creating an inclusive employment and creative space where nine young people with autism are gaining work and life skills.

Each winner receives the title of Kia Orana Champion and an Experience Package valued at approximately NZ$500, contributed by Cook Islands operators. The Pa Enua Ambassador also receives an Air Rarotonga flight voucher and accommodation in Rarotonga to attend the ceremony.

Prime Minister Mark Brown said the winners were recognised for service that went beyond their jobs to make visitors' experiences special.

“It's not our beaches, not our forests, it is our people,” he said. “That's reflected in the awards that we've presented today.”

Tourism Legacy Award honours the Birdman of Atiu

Presented for only the second time, the Tourism Legacy Award honoured the late George “Birdman” Teariki-Mataki Mateariki, who put Atiu on the tourism map by turning a lifetime of knowledge of the island's birds, stories and way of life into experiences visitors still talk about long after they leave. His wife, Barbara Mateariki, accepted the award on his behalf.

George was also involved in the reintroduction of the kura to Atiu. Twenty-seven birds were initially brought to the island, with George tracking their progress and later estimating the population had grown to more than 3,000. He also played a major role in the successful eradication of myna birds, monitoring and counting birds caught during the programme.

“For George, ecotourism was never simply about tourism. It was about connection,” says Barbara Mateariki. “It was about helping people fall in love with the land so they would understand why it was worth protecting.

“Every time a bird flies through the forest, every time someone looks up and listens for the kura, and every time a visitor leaves Atiu with a deeper love for his island, a little piece of George is still there. This award belongs to him and it belongs to Atiu.”

Part of Tourism Month 2026

The People's Choice Awards are one of three initiatives highlighted during Te Marama o te Manava Tūroto – Tourism Month, held for the first time this September under the theme “Celebrating the People at the Heart of Tourism in the Cook Islands.” Alongside the awards, Vaine Manava Tūroto o te Marama (Tourism Woman of the Month) recognises women whose contributions often go unseen, under this year's theme, Unsung Heroines, and Te Arata'a o te Pae Tūroto (Youth Tourism Pathway Programme) now has scholarship Expressions of Interest open for 2027.

Te Mato Manava Tūroto thanks everyone who nominated and voted, all 25 finalists, and CIPS, Air Rarotonga and Edgewater Resort for their support, as well as the Office of the Prime Minister for hosting the ceremony.

The People's Choice Awards support Te Mato Manava Tūroto's wider work under Te Kaveinga Mana Tiaki o te Ipukarea – the Destination Stewardship Plan, to ensure tourism benefits our Cook Islands people, culture and environment.

For more information, visit cookislands.travel/pca or contact [email protected]

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.