New Zealand and the Cook Islands have agreed to open a quarantine-free travel bubble by the end of March next year.  Before a two-way travel opens up, New Zealand will open up one-way quarantine-free travel from the Cook Islands as a first step for people who need to access essential services.

Thomas Tarurongo Wynne is from Ngati Ingatu from the village of Areora on his grandfather’s side and Ngati Kaena from the village of Aro’a and Ngati Vakatini from the village of Tupapa on his grandmother’s side.

He was born and raised in Ponsonby Auckland and returned from ten years in Raro working as a school counselor at Tereora college and a year at Araura College in Aitutaki. 

He was the Communications Advisor to the Prime Minister in the Cook Islands from 2016-2019 and now works as the communications advisor to the Pacific Ministers in government here in New Zealand.