Youth Policy - Cook Islands National Youth Council

Kia Orana to all young people in the Cook Islands, It is with honor and excitement that I present the Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2021-2026:

Government has long understood the importance of supporting and developing our youth to secure our future as a nation. Hence, this is the fourth iteration of this Policy.

I personally advocate for the development of youth in all areas including sports, the church, education, business, environment, culture and even politics. It is only through such exposure that they will be able to gain the confidence to move from observers to participants and onward to future leaders.
Last but not least, to our young people, we hope this Policy resonates with you and empowers you to do the best you can in all that you do and I will leave you with this bible verse, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

1 Timothy 4.12.

Kia Manuia

Honourable Vaine Mac Mokoroa

Minister for Ministry of Internal Affairs, Cook Islands

Kia Orana

It is with great pleasure that I present the ‘Cook Islands National Youth Policy 2015-2019: Back 2 Basics’, our roadmap to building brighter futures for and with our young people in mind.

This policy has been formulated with input from young people across our country through the completion of surveys and discussions. Those surveyed have indicated the various challenges young people in the Cook Islands are facing, with some suggestions
on possible solutions to improve outcomes for young people.

We all have a role to play in improving the lives of young people – Government, the various agencies
who work with and for young people, our families and most importantly, the young people themselves. Whatever your contribution may be, it matters.

We need to take note of the priority areas contained in this document and target our investment towards improving the lives of our youth population. Our Government is committed to investing in
young people and their wellbeing, from developing career guidance programmes through to targeted health programmes for young people specific to their needs and issues.