The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) completed a recruitment round in February 2025 to fill vacancies within the Immigration border team.

Four recruits are currently undertaking training for their roles based at the Rarotonga International Airport, with the recruits bringing a range of skills and experiences to the Immigration Service, a statement from MFAI said.

The Cook Islands Immigration border team process arrivals and departures by air, including medivac, diplomatic, and charter flights. Currently, there are 16 flights per week. From April, the number of flights may increase up to 29 flights per week to accommodate the tourism high season.

The recent recruits will be the first cohort to undertake the Immigration Core Elements (ICE) warranting programme conceived within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI). This was developed in collaboration with Immigration New Zealand under the Hakili Matagi programme and is now being implemented across the Pacific region. There are 30 modules to complete, including practical components for an officer to be assessed as competent for warranting.

MFAI principal immigration officer, Chere Arthur said, “All Immigration officers will have the opportunity to complete the ICE warranting programme, with most senior officers being able to fast-track completion given their experience, expertise and current roles and responsibilities and MFAI look forward to hosting our first warranting ceremony in 2025.”

MFAI border security lead Tereroa Pumati is coordinating delivery of the training programme that includes theory and live practical sessions at the border.

The officers will be trained in the use of the border management system ASYPX for passenger processing as well as legislation, intelligence, compliance, process and people skills such as customer service, communication and problem-solving techniques.

Earlier this year, MFAI farewelled four members from the Immigration border team who departed the Cook Islands for Australia and New Zealand to pursue education and employment opportunities – the four new recruits are to fill those vacancies.

MFAI Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann said: “Retention and recruitment challenges are realities the Cook Islands have learned to develop resilience towards over decades, but those challenges have been compounded since Covid.”

“Part of MFAI mitigation strategies against these retention and recruitment challenges is to make further investments in training and capability development of our workforce through initiatives like the ICE warranting programme in acceptance of the transient nature of our people and the Cook Islands labour market being inclusive of New Zealand and Australia.”