Source: New Zealand Defence Force
17 September 2026
The island of Penrhyn in the northern Cook Islands has welcomed a New Zealand Defence Force contingent for the annual Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief task Exercise Tropic Twilight.
At the request of the Cook Islands Government and supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, more than 50 personnel have deployed to Penrhyn via a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J aircraft to deliver construction, maintenance, health, and hydrography tasks for the communities of Penrhyn.
The New Zealand Army engineers from 25 Engineer Support Squadron, 2 Engineer Regiment, are working alongside five engineers from the Forces Armées en Nouvelle-Calédonie and one engineer from Vanuatu.
They will carry out a range of tasks on Penrhyn, including constructing and upgrading facilities at Omoka and Te Tautua Schools, upgrading the roof on the Omoka Market building, installing solar water stills and assisting local mechanics to service island plant machinery and vehicles.
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Littoral Warfare Unit HMNZS Matataua personnel will undertake hydrographic surveys of the navigational approaches, lagoon transit routes, and maritime infrastructure to provide updated data to the Cook Islands Government.
Health personnel from the both the RNZN and NZ Army will work with local medical staff to deliver services to the community.
Deputy Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Brigadier Michael Bassingthwaighte, says the long-standing exercise continues the good work in the Cook Islands, following last year’s deployment to Ma’uke.
“For more than 25 years, Tropic Twilight has reinforced New Zealand’s commitment to the Pacific through practical support and enduring partnerships.
“We are proud to return to the Cook Islands this year, working alongside local communities and regional partners to deliver infrastructure, health and hydrographic projects that will leave a lasting positive impact for Penrhyn.”
Before transit to Penrhyn from the main island of Rarotonga, RNZN hydrographers took the opportunity to support the Cook Islands Government with a boat ramp survey at Avatiu Harbour.
NZ Army personnel also conducted cleaning and plumbing of the roof at Aotearoa Marae to enable water collection and helped the National Environment Service with their reusable plastics sustainability project.