Volunteer in the Cook Islands

Married team leaders James Puati and Debi Futter guide your service in the Cook Islands. Native to the Cook Islands and New Zealand, James and Debbie share their life-long love and knowledge of island life with every volunteer. They both are professionally invested in the human and economic development of their homeland. James taught Physical Education and Maori language skills at both elementary and high school levels, and now owns and operates the Matutu Brewery on Rarotonga. Debi previously worked for both the Cook Islands Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. She is a health and physical education lecturer for the University of Waikato, and is currently completing her doctorate on youth sexuality. They’re revered by their volunteers:

“James is a very genuine person. He is always willing to answer any questions, and his positive and even-tempered personality kept everyone comfortable and at ease.”
Kim Leibel, Cook Islands Volunteer

“James is a wonderful man!! He was so accommodating, gracious, generous and delightful. He had us really laughing and brought us together as a true team.”
Ardys Noreen, Cook Islands Volunteer

“As a nine-time Cook Islands Volunteer, I’ve experienced James and Debi Puati as a ‘team’ and James solo. Debi adds the ‘yin’ to the ‘yang’ of their team leader duality, and enlarges the experience. She brings her own informed points of view ranging over the many topics we cover as a team.  She truly has unique insights into the program as well as Cook Islands culture.  When you think about it, we’re quite lucky to get two team leaders for the price of one!”
Dennis Killeen, Repeat Cook Islands Volunteer

“A huge part of the success of the Cook Island program is due to James and Debi.  They are very involved and respected in the Rarotonga community; kind and caring individuals and as a team, balance each other very well. A trip to the Cook Islands is not a vacation or a volunteer trip; to me it feels like I’m going home.”
Ellen Holzschuh, 9-time Cook Islands Volunteer

“James is wonderful in very way. His in-depth knowledge and deep love of his Maori culture was intently shared with us.” 
Dee Wenzelburger, Cook Islands Volunteer

“James is a pleasure to work with! He has a great understanding of the people on the island and is quickly able to address any issue.  He is a caring and fun leader.”
Gevenie Delsol, Cook Island Volunteer

Your health, safety and security is our top priority. Your lodging, food and transportation are provided always with a mind to protect you while at the work site and in your hotel. Your team leader is trained in CPR and first aid. Read more about health and safety here.

Most community projects are indoors, but sunburn and heat stroke are risks in tropical climates. You’ll be provided with plenty of bottled water to keep yourself hydrated. Surprisingly, in this laid-back culture traffic accidents are one of the most common hazards on this small island. Your team leader will advise you how to protect your safety while walking along the road, crossing the street or riding in a vehicle. Dengue fever and Chikungunya, transferred by mosquitoes, are sometimes present on the island. We provide mosquito nets for your bed. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and apply mosquito repellent daily to prevent mosquito bites.

We strongly recommend you consult your own physician, public health clinic and/or travel clinic for detailed travel health information and preventative measures. For general recommendations, consult the following sources:

Centers for Disease Control | Health Canada Online | Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Global Volunteers includes emergency medical evacuation insurance in your service program fee. We also recommend health insurance that covers you while you are outside your home country, and trip cancellation insurance in the event you must cancel your participation on the service program. Your travel agent can refer you to travel insurance providers. Click here to read risks associated with international travel.

Ample time is available after the work day and on weekends to enjoy the numerous natural and cultural attractions on Rarotonga. Your country managers provide basic language instruction and arrange for cultural talks and demonstrations (such as flower garland or ‘ei’ (lei) making, coconut art, island conservation activities and the like.) You can also expect to be invited to church socials and dance performances each week. Cook Island dancing is considered the most sensual in the South Pacific, and each island has its own special songs and dances to tell stories of history. Cook Island children learn and practice dancing from a very young age, performing regularly at various events throughout the year. Considered among the finest Polynesian singers and dancers, Cook Islanders often win international awards for their expression. Traditional costumes for dancing are made from bark cloth, grass or raffia and are decorated with leaves, feathers, shells and flowers, topped with magnificent traditional feather headgear.

While our non-profit status prohibits us from planning your free-time activities, our local staff will provide a list of the many opportunities to explore the island. Most volunteers enjoy walking the beautiful beaches at all times of day, biking along back roads, swimming in the clear blue lagoons, and engaging in other water sports such as snorkeling, sea kayaking, sailing or windsurfing. You can participate in off-road mountain trips and reef-walking, whale-watching, and glass-bottom boat tours. Shopping the traditional market as well as the popular downtown shops is an engaging pastime. A highlight is a weekend trip to the outer island of Aitutaki, reknowned as the most beautiful island in the South Pacific.

Volunteering together in the South Pacific can be the highlight of your family life! Children ages 8 to 18 can serve along with their parents or guardian in classrooms and small groups of children and teens. Your volunteer coordinator will work with you to find the ideal program schedule and partner community to meet your family volunteering goals.

For instance, pre-teens can often tutor children the same age – and practice English through stories, songs, games, skits, art projects and the like. Cook Island children are bright and accepting of volunteers of all ages – and like children worldwide – love to talk about friends, movies and family life. Our partners readily welcome child volunteers into their classrooms! Mature teens can team-teach with a parent, paint and help landscape, work in a library, or nurture pre-schoolers.

Chose program dates during school breaks and summer vacations. Parents and guardians are expected to supervise their child volunteers, and collaborate with our team leader and local partners to maximize the service experience for everyone. Youth are invited to offer their own perspectives in team meetings and fully participate in free-time activities. In this way, your child can form a rare, personal perspective of this remote country beyond what they can find online, in school or in personal study. What’s more, they’ll gain life-long friends in one of the most exotic, beautiful islands in the South Pacific!