Aitutaki Conservation Trust
Trina Armstrong, one of the Trustees of the Aitutaki Conservation Trust, advised the Herald last week that the photos above are from the Vaitau Primary School Edible Garden project, that the Trust helped to fund. The Ministry of Agriculture and Aitutaki Island Council also helped out with this project as well as the Teachers and families of the Vaitau Primary School. It was very much a ‘team‘ effort. Trina said the photos were taken in the early stages of the garden development, but it was still a very exciting time for the kids!
According to Trina, the Trust was formed in 2007 and aims to protect the land, lagoon and culture through education and positive action.
The Trust has achieved much success with raising conservation awareness in Aitutaki. Some of the Trust’s achievements include:
• Winning a Westpac Banking Corporation CEO Gold Award for the Environment Category; for our efforts and achievements in Conservation;
• Being chosen to attend an Environmental Study Tour throughout New Zealand and Australia; where we were able to learn more about ways in which we can better manage our waste and water;
• Implementing Environmental Educational programmes (PADI Project Aware) at our local primary schools; which encourage and teach children the importance of conservation, especially with regard to our coral reefs and water ways; and
• Organising successful voluntary rubbish collections here in Aitutaki.
The Trust has also funded school excursions to the Marine Research Centre and Lagoon Raui areas (protected moratorium areas); to teach children about the importance of the local fisheries and waterways.
Presently the Trust is working with each of the primary schools to help fund their environmental and cultural studies, and looks forward to working alongside the school principals for many years to come.
The Trust is a Non Government Organization (NGO) and relies solely on funding from Donations, Sponsorships, Grants and Awards.
Aitutaki is one of the most beautiful, untouched and literally best kept secrets on this planet. Its lagoon is one of the largest and most magnificent in the world, the natural fauna is stunningly beautiful and the culture remains true to Aitutaki; ‘a smile, drumbeats, family, song and laughter’.
With your help the Trust can continue to protect Aitutaki’s Lagoon, Land and Culture forever.

Herald Issue 554 09 March
- Norm exposes Trio of Doom
- Briefs from PM’s media conference Tuesday
- Tourism Industry ponders $5 million draft strategy
- Norman George resigns from Cook Islands Party
- Letter of Resignation from CIP
- Norman selfish says Prime Minister