Three surveys have been launched as part of the consultation: a Punanga Nui Market User Survey for the wider market community and public, and two dedicated surveys for vendors operating from Te Tapora Kai and Are Kai Moana.
The surveys follow completion of Stage 1 works under the Te Tau Papa o Avarua Town Plan, which have included the development of Te Tapora Kai, construction of the new purpose-built Are Kai Moana fish market facility, and improvements to parking, access and the wider market precinct.
CIIC Chief Executive Officer Allan Jensen said the surveys provide an important opportunity to hear directly from the people who use and work within the market.
“The Punanga Nui Market is an important community space as well as a place of business, and we want to understand what is working well, what may not be working as intended, and where further improvements could be made. The feedback will also help inform proposed market policies as a basis for consultation,” Jensen said.
“The people best placed to tell us that are the vendors who operate there and the members of the public who use the market.
“Stage 1 has delivered some significant changes to the precinct, so this is a good time to take stock and hear directly from those experiencing those changes.”
The Punanga Nui Market User Survey is open to all Punanga Nui Market vendors and members of the public who use the market. It seeks feedback on how people use the market, their experience of areas including parking, accessibility, cleanliness, safety and facilities, and what could encourage greater use of the market during the week.
It also asks people what they believe the Punanga Nui Market should be known for in the future.
Two separate surveys are also underway specifically for vendors operating from the new Te Tapora Kai and Are Kai Moana facilities.
The Te Tapora Kai Vendor Survey is for current Te Tapora Kai vendors only and asks about their experience since moving into the new facility, including protection from the weather, comfort and accessibility, trading conditions, customer numbers, sales and profitability, market management and communication, and opportunities for future growth.
The Are Kai Moana Vendor Survey is for current Are Kai Moana vendors only and focuses on the relocation of fish vendors from the former Maroro Hut to the purpose-built Are Kai Moana facility. It seeks feedback on parking and access, traffic congestion, safety, space for vendors and customers, the customer experience and the impact of the relocation on vendors’ businesses.
Jensen said the feedback would help CIIC and Punanga Nui Market management assess the outcomes of the Stage 1 investment and identify priorities for the future.
“We don’t want to make assumptions about what people think of the changes. We want to hear it from them,” he said.
“This is also about looking ahead. The Punanga Nui Market is one of Rarotonga’s most important public spaces, and the feedback we receive will help inform how we manage and continue to develop it.”
As an added incentive to participate, everyone who completes an eligible survey can go into the draw to win one of five $50 Punanga Nui Market Vendor Food Vouchers.
The Punanga Nui Market User Survey is now available online through CIIC’s website and Facebook page and the Punanga Nui Market Facebook page.
The Te Tapora Kai and Are Kai Moana Vendor Surveys are also available online, with links provided directly to the vendors eligible to complete those surveys. Hard copies are available directly to those vendors if required.
All three surveys will close on Saturday 3 October 2026, with the five prize winners to be drawn the following week.
CIIC is encouraging Punanga Nui Market vendors and members of the public to take the opportunity to have their say before the surveys close.
“Whether you visit the market every week, occasionally, or you make your living there, we would really like to hear from you,” Jensen said.
“Good decisions about the future of the market need to be informed by the people who actually use it.”