Help Us Strengthen Culture for Future Generations
UANKA works to honour our past, empower our people today, and preserve knowledge and values for future generations. We welcome partnerships and professional support that help us deliver projects, strengthen cultural initiatives, and build long-term impact across the Cook Islands and our diaspora.
Partner with us
Partner With UANKA to Create Lasting Impact
UANKA leads and supports initiatives that protect customary knowledge, strengthen cultural identity, and promote the values that sustain our people.
We are not currently seeking volunteers. Instead, we welcome partnerships and professional service providers who can support project delivery, communications, programme development, documentation, and operational capacity.
Together, we can strengthen communities, build respectful collaborations, and ensure our cultural foundations remain strong for generations to come.
Mandate + Authority
Mandate and Authority
UANKA’s mandate is embedded in its Papa Ture Metua (Constitution), adopted and approved by the 52nd Session of the House of Ariki in October 2023. UANKA is incorporated as Te Ui Ariki Ngateitei O Te Kuki Airani Incorporated Society (Registration No. I10588), incorporated on 20 October 2023.
Partnerships Principles
Our Partnership Approach
We build partnerships grounded in respect for indigenous leadership, cultural integrity, and long-term benefit for our people. We welcome collaborators who value guardianship of heritage and environment, and who work in ways that honour our customs and communities
Priority Areas
Priority Areas for Partnership
- Reviving customary titles, korero and traditional social units (matakeinanga, vaka, ngati, kopu, uanga)
- Promoting customs, traditions and values
- Culturally grounded responses to climate change, food sustainability and biodiversity
- Customary approaches to sustainable land, lagoon, reef and moana management
- Integrating customary knowledge, arts and language into education and training
- Reviving and empowering customary institutes (Are Taunga, Are Korero, Are Vananga)
How You Can Partner With UANKA
We welcome partnerships that help us deliver quality initiatives and strengthen customary leadership and cultural knowledge across the Cook Islands.
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Programme and project delivery support (planning, coordination, reporting)
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Education and cultural initiatives (resources, learning support, workshops)
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Research, documentation and archiving (customary knowledge, histories, records)
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Communications and storytelling (content, design, media support)
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Technical and digital support (systems, websites, repositories)
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Governance and operational support (policies, processes, training)
If you offer specialist services or support, we would welcome a conversation
Funding and Donor Support
UANKA actively seeks short, medium, and long-term funding to sustain initiatives that protect and strengthen culture, leadership, and community wellbeing. Your support helps build capacity for projects that serve present and future generations.
Ways to support include:
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funding a specific initiative or programme area
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sponsoring community-based events or education resources
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supporting operational capacity to deliver projects well