‘I don’t see it as a job’: Cook Islands trailblazer honoured

Rouruina Emile-Brown has been awarded a New Year Honours medal for services to the Cook Islands community.

“It’s quite surreal to be acknowledged in this way. So, I just want to thank the many men and women who thought I was deserving.

“I’m grateful for the acknowledgement. I’m incredibly emotional about it.”

Emile-Brown’s work included professional and community roles, focusing on empowering women and the Cook Islands community.

“I’m grateful for the acknowledgement, I’m incredibly emotional about it," Emile-Brown said. Photo/Rouruina Emile-Brown.

Speaking to PMN News, Emile-Brown said the accolade resulted from a group effort.

“My mind was turned to the individuals who put together an application and then those who wrote references to acknowledge whatever small part I played in the community.

Emile-Brown said serving was a “pleasure and privilege” she hoped to continue.

“I don’t see it as a job. Service is not easy, and it can be very lonely … what I’ve found through the work I’ve done is purpose, meaningful purpose, and identity.

“I’ll continue to [serve] because it does make me happy and it fills my life, it fills my soul.”

“I’ll continue to [serve] because it does make me happy and it fills my life, it fills my soul," Emile-Brown shared. Photo/Rouruina Emile-Brown.

Life and career background

Born to parents of Manihikian and Rarotongan descent, Emile-Brown was raised in Rarotonga and completed school in Aotearoa.

She worked for the government in community development roles in Auckland and across the country.

In 2015, she became the Chief Executive Officer of the Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand (CIDANZ) and led the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating care packages, food, and critical supplies for South Auckland families.

Emile-Brown said they had to listen to what people wanted.

“We knew that in order for us to have a stronger sense of understanding about where we wanted to be into the future, we needed to know where our people were, what was important to them.”

Emile-Brown was appointed CIDANZ CEO in 2015. Photo/Rouruina Emile-Brown.

The organisation took three years to develop the Cook Islands Strategic Development Action Plan, and Emile-Brown said their vision also included education and cultural goals.

“We wanted to have an early childhood total immersion [Ta’i Tamaiti Turanga Rangatira ECE] here in Auckland, and we were able to open up one about three years ago.

“The last part was a cultural centre. Since Covid hit, everybody and everything got parked … I’m hoping with our new CEO [he can] bring that back to the fore.”

Emile-Brown has also been a key leader in the Auckland Social Sector Pacific Collective, supporting community organisation CEOs and government organisations seeking Pacific community interaction.

She had worked with women’s group Vaine Tini in Auckland and sponsored Te Maeva Nui New Zealand, an annual cultural celebration.

Emile-Brown is also passionate about entrepreneurship, and wants to see more Pacific people start their businesses. Photo/Rouruina Emile-Brown.

Passion for people

Emile-Brown is also passionate about entrepreneurship, and wanted to see more Pacific people starting businesses.

“If I could encourage our people and our young people [it is] to do more and to start even if you don’t think that it’s going to be yours.

“I’d love to see more of our young people take their creative skills forward.

“I’d love to see how our cultural capital can start to be a part of that everyday offering business in this country, because I believe that our Pacific people have amazing content, unique content.”

Emile-Brown believed entrepreneurship could play a major role in improving outcomes for Pacific communities and women, and wanted to see young women and existing networks collaborate to build entrepreneurship and business confidence.

Emile-Brown shares pride and humility as a New Year Honours awardee. Photo/Rouruina Emile-Brown.

“I believe that women are the backbone of the community and I think they could absolutely be the backbone of entrepreneurship as well.

“I want our community to feel like they’re shaping the future of the place that they now call home.”