The 2025 Careers Expo welcomed many students from different schools on a tour to experience and learn different career opportunities in the Cook Islands.

With over 400 students from year 9 to year 13, many attended the expo held at the National Auditorium yesterday to have more insights on different career choices from different organisations.

Students from Tereora College, Nukutere College, Apii Te Uki Ou, Imanuela Akatemia and Titikaveka College were given the opportunity to explore the many career opportunities with over 50 exhibitors.

There were also a few new career booths who participated in the expo for the first time.

One of them was the Akura Fishing Charter, an organisation that specialises in providing customers with an awesome fishing experience in the waters of Rarotonga.

The Akura Fishing booth, managed by Greg Gustafson, attracted many male students who were interested in the idea of fishing.

Gustafson was excited about the many students interested in learning about his profession, and he particularly wanted to help female students find a pathway in the fishing industry.

A year 9 student from Te Uki Ou, Edward Nee Nee shared with Cook Islands News his dream job.

Nee Nee is interested in becoming an explorer, he loves learning, experiencing and exploring new things.

“I want to be a type of explorer that travels the whole entire world.”

According to Nee Nee, there weren’t many options at the expo that gave him enough information about becoming an explorer.

“That doesn’t stop me from achieving my goal.”

Although he had visited booths that aligns with exploring such as Air New Zealand, Nee Nee did not learn enough to grow his understanding, but he was motivated to continue his research.

His life mission is to climb the “Ice Wall” and explore what lies beyond it.

The exhibitors at the expo attracted many students by portraying diverse and interesting roles within their organisations.

Pacific Resort educated many interested students about their resort, conducting engaging activities and quizzes about their offerings.

Te Uki Ou student, Inalie Loki, shared that her dream is to become a pilot.

She was grateful to Air New Zealand and Air Rarotonga for providing insights into becoming a pilot and the many opportunities and experiences that come with the job.