Image: Woman of the Month, Mrs Atinata Rouru Bishop pictured with Kumiti Au Vaine
The National Environment Service (NES), through the Plastic Reboot programme, was proud to support the Kumiti Au Vaine Woman of the Month Award presented on 23 July 2026 at the Islander Hotel, where 117 guests gathered to celebrate the outstanding contributions of Mrs Atinata Rouru Bishop.
Through its Woman of the Month programme, Kumiti Au Vaine recognises Cook Islands women who have made exceptional contributions to their families, communities and the nation. Mrs Bishop was honoured for her lifelong dedication, leadership and service.
As part of its support, the Plastic Reboot programme provided the Woman of the Month prize, a handcrafted handbag by local social enterprise Circle Cook Islands. Created from repurposed materials, the bag reflects the programme’s commitment to reducing waste, encouraging reuse, and promoting practical circular economy solutions in the Cook Islands.
Pictured Left is Sabine Janneck, founder of Circle Cook Islands with the custom bag made for Women of the Month, sponsored by Plastic Reboot Cook Islands
The Plastic Reboot programme supports initiatives that help communities, businesses and government reduce reliance on single-use plastics and adopt more sustainable practices. The programme recognises that women play an important role in influencing everyday decisions about purchasing, reuse, waste reduction and community events, making them powerful champions for positive environmental change.
Siana Whatarau, Senior Environmental Partnerships Coordinator at the National Environment Service, said supporting the award was a meaningful way to recognise leadership while promoting sustainability.
“The Plastic Reboot programme is about supporting practical solutions that reduce waste and help create a cleaner Cook Islands. The Circle Cook Islands prize demonstrates how discarded materials can be transformed into something valuable, useful and uniquely local. We are proud to support an award that celebrates the contribution of Cook Islands women and the positive influence they have within their families and communities.”
The National Environment Service congratulates Mrs Atinata Rouru Bishop on this well-deserved recognition and thanks Kumiti Au Vaine for its continued leadership in celebrating the achievements of Cook Islands women.
