The Airport Authority Cook Islands (AACI) is a fully State Owned Company which was established in 1985 to manage the airports on the islands of Aitutaki and Rarotonga. We are continually upgrading our airports to offer improved customer facilities while ensuring they remain fully compliant with all international regulations.

Our aim is to:

  • Provide a safe and efficient airport environment that is both welcoming to travelers and commercially successful for our airline and business partners
  • Encourage increased passenger traffic and aircraft movements
  • Contribute to the growth and development of the nation

The AACI is made up of three divisions, they ensure the organisation is able to achieve the aim mentioned above. The three divisions are Corporate Services, Operations Services and Support Services. Each division consists of departments and personnel who work together to continue the legacy of managing the airports on the islands of Aitutaki and Rarotonga and achieving the goals.

The organisation employs 117 personnel and the depth of its workforce range from operational and technical to commercial and administrative.

The Corporate Services are essential to supporting the organisation with financial management, administrative services, personnel recruitment, managing shared technology resources and pursuing economic development opportunities to achieve the organisation’s goals above. The division consists of four departments, they are Commercial Business, Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology.

The Support Services is a newly formed division that ensures the maintenance of all airport infrastructure excluding electrical systems, following best practices and are proactively, predicatively and effectively maintained. It also ensures that the cleaning of the terminal building is kept at the highest standards and that gardens, hedges and airport surroundings are kept clean and tidy at all times. The division consist of two departments, they are Maintenance and Cleaning Landscaping.

The AACI Board of directors steer the company’s strategic direction to ensure it is achieving its corporate goals and objectives.

AACI’s Board of Directors are:

George Taoro Brown - Chairperson

Taoro George Brown has served on the Board of Directors for ten years. He is the successful owner of the Super Brown franchises in Rarotonga and Atiu. Taoro has worked in the Aviation industry for over 20 years and for the local airline, Air Rarotonga.
Aside from his passion for aviation, he is a keen supporter of the Atiu community and highly values his faith. Taoro has been a professional cultural ambassador for the Cook Islands representing our Country across the world. He resides in Rarotonga with his wife MP Rose Brown and their children in the village of Tupapa.

Nancy Matapuku - Deputy Chairperson

Nancy was appointed to the Board in May 2020. She is from the Ngaputoru and Rakahanga islands. she completed a Bachelors Degree with a double major in Accounting and Economics from the University of the South Pacific (USP). Upon completion she worked with KPMG Suva Fiji before accepting the role as Secretary to the Ambassador of the Cook Islands Embassy in Brussels, Belgium. Returning to the Cook Islands, she formed her own accounting business and has over 20 years experience in the finance and banking industry. Today she continues to support MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in the Cook Islands as an accountant.

Edward Herman - Director

Ed has been a board member since November 2021. He has been a secondary teacher at Tereora College, then a financial auditor for the Cook Islands audit office for three years. Integral part of my learning specific to the financial and administration structure of the public service. Moved to the Financial Intelligence Unit as the Senior Compliance Officer. Expanded my knowledge and experience on financial and legislative compliance from the private sector financial institutions perspective. Moved to the Ministry of Internal Affairs 3 years later as the Consumer Commissioner. Returned to the audit office in special review division essentially managing investigations related to the use of public funds. Today he is the CEO for the Porter/TOA group of companies.

Shona Lynch - Director

Shona is a highly respected Cook Islands woman, with many years of varied and outstanding work in business and the community on the main island of Rarotonga.
Shona has served on numerous important, high level Government appointed Boards of Management, including the Cook Islands Airport Authority and Cook Islands Tourism Council. She has also worked in Government for many years with the Cook Islands Pearl Authority and Ombudsmans Office. Shona has been involved in seabed minerals sector for many years and attended many International and national seabed minerals related events. She resides in her home village of Muri in Rarotonga, in her home with her husband Paul and 24 year old daughter Manine.

Ngapare Tatira - Director

As the Director/Owner of a diverse range of businesses, including a Petrol Station, Takeaway, Bike and Car Rental, Bakery, Café, Hardware Shop, Water Bottle, Grocery Store, container and Haulage Transport Company, my goal is to provide exceptional products and services to our customers while ensuring efficient operations across all sector. Have experience and accomplish in the hotel industry for 10 years, Managing sales, weddings, front office, and as an accountants assistant at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa Today, I had the pleasure of serving as the Chairperson for the Araura Primary School Committee PTA. also hold various positions within my church.