Swimmer hoping to make a splash at the Commonwealth Games

Sixteen-year-old Cook Islander Lanihei Connolly will represent the Cook Islands at next month's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Connolly, who is of Cook Island and Maori decent, is a student at Auckland Baradene College, and will be the youngest competitor on the team.

For her age group, she is ranked first in New Zealand for the 50 metre and 100 metre breaststroke.

She will join fellow Cook Island swimming teammates Bede Aitu and Kirsten Fisher-Marsters who also live in Auckland, and Wesley Roberts who lives in Australia.