Cook Islands Delegation Visits Australia Under the Canberra Fellowships Program
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 5 December 2024
In October 2024, a delegation of senior public sector leaders from the Cook Islands, led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann, visited Australia as part of the Canberra Fellowships Program.
The Canberra Fellowships Program is a prestigious program that hosts current and emerging leaders from the Indo-Pacific in Australia through tailored small-group visits. The program provides unparalleled opportunities for delegates to develop people-to-people links with counterparts; support opportunities for deeper cooperation on shared interests; and builds the Indo-Pacific’s understanding of Australia.
Australia was delighted to host the Cook Islands delegation, under a tailored program themed around connectivity, with delegates traveling to Sydney, Uluru, Canberra, Brisbane, and Lady Elliot Island to share perspectives and strengthen ties.
In Canberra, the delegation participated in the Senior Officials Roundtable Talks (SORT) held on 31 October 2024. The meeting was led by Australia’s Head of the Office of the Pacific, Elizabeth Peak, and included officials from the Australian Federal Police, Australian Defence Force, and the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security. Discussions focused on key areas of cooperation such as maritime security, education, health, sports, and tourism – reflecting shared goals for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
Roundtable discussions with academic institutions and other arms of the Australian Government, including the Pacific Security College, the Australian Sports Commission, the Department of Health and Aged Care, and the Queensland Department of Education, and Tourism and Events, nurtured existing relationships and fostered new connections, allowing delegates and hosts to learn more about policy interests, perspectives and priorities. Delegates met with counterparts delivering health and education services in rural and remote Australia, hearing about familiar challenges in access, continuity of care, and data management.
Beyond the meeting rooms, visits to sacred and iconic sites, including Uluru, offered an opportunity to learn about Indigenous Australian culture and history. The delegation also explored Australia’s natural marine environments, with conversations on-site with operators working in the Southern Great Barrier Reef sparking discussions on eco-tourism, sustainable water and waste management, and workforce retention in the tourism industry.
In Brisbane, the Cook Islands diaspora provided a warm welcome to the delegation. A vibrant cultural event showcased Indigenous and Cook Islands performances, and highlighted the multicultural fabric of contemporary Australia. Stories shared by Cook Islanders living in Australia celebrated the importance of retaining culture, language, and identity in church, sporting, and community groups.
Reflecting on the visit, Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Her Excellency Phoebe Smith said: “The Canberra Fellowships Program offers a unique opportunity to deepen understanding between our two nations. Experiencing Australia’s diversity and culture first-hand strengthens our partnership and opens doors for meaningful collaboration. I thank Secretary Herrmann and her team for their engagement and time in committing to the program, and I look forward to building on these important conversations and connections.”
The visit marked two years since the signing of the ‘Oa Tumanava partnership agreement between Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. The ‘Oa Tumanava partnership is a formal agreement which helps guide cooperation between the two governments.
The Canberra Fellowships Program highlights Australia’s ongoing commitment to fostering strong ties with the Cook Islands, creating opportunities for partnerships and collaboration, and supporting shared regional goals.