RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS, 30 September 2025 – Punanga Nui Market vendors gathered at Are Pua this week for a public consultation to receive updates on the new Te Tapora Kai market building, the finalized operational policy, and the process for vendor movements into their new trading areas.
The consultation was the latest in a series of engagements held since 2023 and provided vendors with an overview of works to date, upcoming milestones, and practical information to support a smooth transition. Copies of the Te Tapora Kai Operational Policy were distributed at the meeting, setting out rules specific to the new building. This policy will eventually sit within a wider Punanga Nui Market Policy to ensure consistency across the entire market.
The new Te Tapora Kai buildings represent a major step forward for Punanga Nui Market, enabling vendors to trade in a modern, resilient, and flexible facility. While not providing fixed stall displays, the design allows vendors to personalise their spaces with their own setups, ensuring flexibility for different types of products and businesses.
Importantly, the open layout of the new buildings has been designed with adaptability in mind. By avoiding fixed display features, the space can be reconfigured for a variety of purposes – from hosting community and cultural events, to accommodating seasonal market layouts and larger gatherings. This versatility ensures Te Tapora Kai will not only serve as a hub for grassroots enterprise, but also as a community asset that can be used in multiple ways over time.
This development is a central component of the Te Tau Papa o Avarua (TTPA) project, which is delivering a package of works to revitalise the Avarua Township. Te Tapora Kai is one of the flagship outputs, directly contributing to TTPA’s outcomes of enhancing economic opportunities for grassroots vendors, improving the market environment for residents and visitors, and strengthening the cultural and social vibrancy of the capital.
Key topics covered at the meeting included feedback received from the July consultation, clarification of grassroots business eligibility, and details on new facilities such as stall fixtures, weather shelter, and a vendor drop-off and parking area. Vendors also heard how trading areas will be zoned by type – with grassroots vendors in Zones 1 and 2, and food vendors located centrally until the new eateries area is complete.
The staged vendor movements were also outlined. Vendors currently operating in the western carpark will be the first to move into the new Te Tapora Kai buildings, followed by staged relocations to the stage area in December and the new eateries zone in March 2026. Vendors were advised that the official opening of Te Tapora Kai will take place on 15 October 2025, with the first Saturday of trading scheduled for 18 October 2025.
Mr Willie Taripo, Punanga Nui Market Manager says “the meeting was about giving our vendors the information they need to know ahead of the official opening. This is a big step with many months and years of planning, building, and consultations, now we can see the outcome of all our efforts coming to life, and are preparing ourselves to be ready to welcome our visitors to our new trading space.”
Anyone who missed the meeting can contact the Punanga Nui Market team by emailing Christine.Eldridge@cookislands.gov.ck for further details.
