Cook Islands Police Service

Please be reminded that the Driver's Licensing and Regulatory Office will closed for the public holiday on Monday 1 June 2026, King's Birthday.

Another Outer Islands Police Officer has been given a fond send-off into retirement with a ceremonial presentation on Atiu, today. Honorary Constable Marama Ikike was recognised for more than 25 years of service to his community, having been sworn-in, during October 2000.

Ikike was handed his official discharge this morning by Commissioner of Police Tai Joseph, who traveled to Atiu for the special occasion with Frontline Commander Inspector Leighton Boaza and Corporate Services Director for the Police, Aashqeen Hasan. Insp. Boaza, with close family and professional ties to Atiu, presented Ikike with a Commissioner's commemorative coin.

The visiting delegation was warmly welcomed for the ceremony, which was well-attended by Atiu Island authorities and community leaders.
Ikike retires from his post leaving Atiu's law enforcement duties in the supervision of Officer in Charge, Senior Constable Tuaine Rakei, also a long-time veteran in Police service.

The Police Maritime crew of Te Kukupa II have chalked up another successful contribution to what has been described as a significant demonstration of regional power and solidarity in the protection of the Pacific’s fisheries resources.

Conducted over the course of nearly three weeks, Operation Tui Moana 2026 (OPTM26) brought together Pacific nations and partners, covering 10 Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) with combined maritime patrols, aerial surveillance, intelligence analysis and compliance monitoring to identify and deter potential fisheries violations.

The Cook Islands joined its regional partners in conducting boarding and inspections of fishing vessels. The Maritime crew delivered an impressive effort, intercepting and boarding 13 fishing vessels, and encountering three yachts transiting through the Cook Islands EEZ. Te Kukupa II also conducted urgent tasking to deliver fuel to Mitiaro, and rejoined the regional operation to meet its commitments.

The continuing success of the TEKII crew in contributing to regional surveillance and security is being assisted by the efforts of seconded personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Four RNZN personnel are presently serving alongside the Cook Islands crew members, after joining the ship in Rarotonga earlier this month.

Led by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara, OPTM26 involved the participation of Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu, with support from Pacific Quad (P-QUAD) partners Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States, alongside regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) partners.