Archived snapshot. This itinerary and logistics page was frozen on June 21, 2026 and may be outdated. Use the Daily Logs for updated field records.

Basecamp itinerary

Basecamps

1 of 7 | Rarotonga | May 22-25

Basecamp 1 of 7

Rarotonga

May 22-25 | 3 nights | Blake, Billy, Tilli, Emalee, Roger, Oana

3 working days 0 reference points

Payment status

Lodging Confirmed

Two arrival bookings are in place.

Vehicle Watch

No rental vehicle; use airport pickups and the island bus.

Food Confirmed

Groceries are easy, airport transfer pickup still needs closure.

Access Confirmed

Permit pickup and agency meetings run from this base.

Needs closure

Confirm airport transfer pickup for the arrival block.
Add the live GolfSeaView booking link once it is available.

Separate Airbnbs booked for the two arrival groups

Billy, Blake, and Tilli are in the 3-bed arrival Airbnb for May 22-25.
Roger, Oana, and Emalee use the golf-course apartment for the May 24-25 overlap night.

Villa Aroa

No rental vehicle for the arrival block; use airport pickups and the island bus

Clockwise and counterclockwise buses cover the ring road if airport transfers slip.

Basecamp map

6 public logistics points plus an approximate basecamp marker.

Plenty of grocery and restaurant options; airport transfer pickup still TBA

CITC is the main first-day resupply stop.

Important places

CITC Supermarket
Rarotonga International Airport
Ministry of Marine Resources
Nukutere College
Korero O Te Orau

Local context

Celine Dyer: Climate Change Coordinator | celine.dyer@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 29 300
Phoebe Argyle: Senior Marine Ecologist | +682-28721 | Moss Road, Avarua
Koroa Raumea: Director, Inshore Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Resources | k.raumea@mmr.gov.ck | +(682) 28730
Henrianna Yaqona: Nukutere College | info@nukutere.edu.ck | +(682) 26110
Korero O Te Orau: Environmental NGO | korerooteorau@gmail.com | +(682) 73560 | Avatiu Valley

Permit pickup, agency meetings, and first gear sort happen from this base.

Basecamp 2 of 7

Atiu

May 25-29 | 4 nights | Blake, Billy, Tilli, Emalee, Roger, Oana

5 working days 8 reference points

Payment status

Lodging Confirmed

Atiu Villas rooms are held.

Vehicle Confirmed

Electric pickup confirmed with wet-road limits.

Food Watch

Dinner is arranged, grocery depth is still uncertain.

Access Confirmed

Mayor approval is granted; the May 25 courtesy meeting and May 28 school session are now scheduled.

Needs closure

Confirm whether the Mayor courtesy meeting is at 12:30 PM or 1:00 PM on May 25.
Confirm airport-arrival handoff from Atiu Airport to the Island Administration Chambers before going to Atiu Villas.
Confirm whether the follow-up Mayor meeting happens toward the end of the Atiu visit.
Confirm how much food can be bought locally before relying on self-catering.
Brief the crew on wet-road limits before using the pickup.

Family villa plus standard villa held at Atiu Villas

Dinner service usually starts at 7 PM, with flexibility if the team is the only group dining.
Villas have enough kitchen space to prepare our own meals, unclear how much food we can buy at a grocer.

Atiu Villas

Electric pickup confirmed; wet-road limits noted

In wet weather, keep the van and pickup to sealed roads and firm makatea surfaces.
Vehicle rate is NZD 60 per 24 hours.

Basecamp map

4 public logistics points plus an approximate basecamp marker.

On-site dinners plus a nearby cafe for breakfast and lunch

Areora Cafe is the fallback breakfast and lunch stop.
Starlink wifi is available at the villas.

Important places

Atiu Villas restaurant
Areora Cafe
Island Administration Chambers
Apii Enuamanu School
Atiu Airport
Atiu Villas

Local context

Mayor Timaau Mokoroa: Atiu Mayor | May 25 courtesy meeting at Island Administration Chambers; coordinate final timing through Tua.
Ngametua Mokoroa (Tua): ngametua.mokoroa@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 51737 | Atiu liaison; off island at arrival, hopes to meet during the school session or follow-up Mayor meeting.
Syaka Tairi: Principal, Apii Enuamanu School | info@enuamanu.edu.ck | +(682) 33264

Approval already granted by Mayor Timaau Mokoroa.
May 25 courtesy meeting with the Mayor is confirmed for the Island Administration Chambers after airport arrival; target time is 12:30 PM or 1:00 PM, final time TBC.
May 28 Thursday 1:30 PM session with Apii Enuamanu School is confirmed.
Roger Malcolm is the main science/local knowledge contact if field access questions come up.

Basecamp 3 of 7

Rarotonga

May 29-June 1 | 3 nights | Blake, Billy, Tilli, Emalee, Roger, Oana, Jacky

3 working days 0 reference points

Payment status

Lodging Confirmed

Seven-person reset Airbnb is booked.

Vehicle Needs confirmation

Vehicle booking is not confirmed.

Food Confirmed

Grocery and restaurant options are close at hand.

Access Watch

Use the reset for fieldwork and the Jacky arrival handoff.

Needs closure

Decide whether the reset block needs a vehicle or can run on bus and shuttles.
Confirm Jacky's arrival handoff timing.

Seven-person Airbnb booked for the inter-island reset

3-bedroom, 5-bed Airbnb held for the May 29-June 1 return block.

Villa 3 Keahi

Vehicle booking not yet confirmed

Fall back to bus plus airport shuttles if no island vehicle is needed during the short reset.

Basecamp map

4 public logistics points plus an approximate basecamp marker.

Plenty of grocery and restaurant options

Use this period for resupply, fieldwork, and the Jacky arrival handoff.

Important places

CITC Supermarket
Rarotonga International Airport
Ministry of Marine Resources
Nukutere College
Korero O Te Orau

Local context

Celine Dyer: Climate Change Coordinator | celine.dyer@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 29 300
Phoebe Argyle: Senior Marine Ecologist | +682-28721 | Moss Road, Avarua
Koroa Raumea: Director, Inshore Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Resources | k.raumea@mmr.gov.ck | +(682) 28730
Henrianna Yaqona: Nukutere College | info@nukutere.edu.ck | +(682) 26110
Korero O Te Orau: Environmental NGO | korerooteorau@gmail.com | +(682) 73560 | Avatiu Valley

This is the main reset window before Mangaia.
May 29 MMR meeting is attached to this base; June 3 Nukutere College and June 4 Korero O Te Orau remain date-level schedule locks.

Basecamp 4 of 7

Mangaia

June 1-5 | 4 nights | Blake, Billy, Tilli, Emalee, Roger, Oana, Jacky

5 working days 4 reference points

Payment status

Lodging Confirmed

Babe's Place rooms are held.

Vehicle Confirmed

Pickering Motors pickup is confirmed and paid.

Food Confirmed

Three standard meals are included.

Access Needs confirmation

June 1 meeting with traditional leaders is planned for Maruatanui Palace, pending confirmation.

Needs closure

Attach proof of Pickering Motors payment to trip notes.
Send the mayor courtesy email through Mia Teaurima.
Confirm the June 1 meeting with traditional leaders at Maruatanui Palace is still happening and keep the agenda ready.
Track the unpaid Mangaia research fee (NZD 500) and decide on payment online or on arrival.

One single plus three double rooms held at Babe's Place

Airport transfers are included with the stay.
Card payments add a 4% surcharge; overseas transfers add a NZD 7.50 inward fee.

Babe's Place

Pickering Motors pickup is confirmed and paid.

The manual pickup is the best fit for the seven-person crew and field gear.
Pickering Motors pickup is confirmed and paid.

Basecamp map

5 public logistics points plus an approximate basecamp marker.

Babe's catering is the easiest option; one small shop is the fallback

The room rate already includes three standard meals daily.
Prepaid Vodafone wifi is available on island.

Important places

Mangaia small shop
Mangaia Airport
Babe's Place
Mangaia Island Administration / Aronga Mana
Mangaia School

Local context

Tangimama Harry: Environment Officer | tangimama.harry@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 34289 / +(682) 71661
Junior Harry: Chairman of the High Chiefs | juniorhrr@gmail.com | assists during the King's absence
Makitua Tutai: Mayor | courtesy email can route through the Island Executive Officer.
Mia Teaurima: Island Executive Officer coordination | mia.teaurima@cookislands.gov.ck
Anthony Whyte: Mangaia Island Administration / Executive Officer contact | anthony.whyte@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 34289 / +(682) 76397
Michael Papatua: Principal, Mangaia School | info@mangaia.edu.ck / principal@mangaia.edu.ck | +(682) 34022

On arrival, hold the meeting with traditional leaders at Maruatanui Palace before commencing work on the island, pending confirmation.
Send a courtesy email to Mayor Makitua Tutai through Island Executive Officer Mia Teaurima.
June 4 Mangaia School session is a schedule lock; keep the field plan clear around the school visit.
Research permission fee for Mangaia is NZD 500 and is currently unpaid; payment can be made online or on arrival.

Basecamp 5 of 7

Mauke

June 5-8 | 3 nights | Blake, Billy, Emalee, Jacky

4 working days 5 reference points

Payment status

Lodging Confirmed

Ri's Retreat is reserved.

Vehicle Confirmed

Suzuki Carry 4WD pickup is arranged through Ri's.

Food Watch

Meals are arranged, timing still needs confirmation.

Access Confirmed

Mayor Joanne Stephens has granted access; the June 8 Mauke School visit is confirmed.

Needs closure

Confirm meal times with Ri's before arrival.
Confirm the arrival courtesy handoff with the Mayor or Executive Officer.
Keep the June 8 9:00 AM Mauke School visit clear before the Mitiaro transfer.

Ri's Retreat reserved

One 2-bedroom house plus one unit covers the four-person team.
Tiare Cottages is the fallback if the Ri's booking slips.

Suzuki Carry 4WD pickup through Ri's

Current transport quote is NZD 90 per day.

Basecamp map

4 public logistics points plus an approximate basecamp marker.

Meals arranged with Ri's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Confirm meal times before arrival.
Two small shops and a limited-hours cafe are the food fallback.

Important places

Ri's Retreat
Mauke Airport
Mauke Island Administration
Mauke School

Local context

Mayor Joanne Stephens: Mauke Mayor | field access permission granted by note; route admin follow-up through the Executive Officer if needed.
Royston Jones: Executive Officer, Mauke Island Government | royston.jones@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 35025 / +(682) 35141 | mobile +(682) 52164
Maria Aiturau-Tereia: Principal, Mauke School | info@mauke.edu.ck / principal@mauke.edu.ck | +(682) 35050

Mayor Joanne Stephens' permission note confirms field access for the planned Mauke work.
Mauke School visit is confirmed for Monday, June 8 at 9:00 AM with Principal Maria Aiturau copied on the confirmation.

Basecamp 6 of 7

Mitiaro

June 8-12 | 4 nights | Blake, Billy, Emalee, Jacky

5 working days 2 reference points

Payment status

Lodging Needs confirmation

Placeholder only; lodging name and room plan still need to be entered.

Vehicle Needs confirmation

Ground transport is not yet recorded.

Food Needs confirmation

Meal plan and grocery fallback still need confirmation.

Access Confirmed

Mitiaro survey permission is approved; June 8 Mayor and Island Council courtesy meeting is scheduled.

Needs closure

Replace the Mitiaro lodging placeholder with the actual accommodation, host contact, and map point.
Confirm Mitiaro vehicle or host transport for airport pickup, fieldwork, and airport dropoff.
Confirm meals, groceries, drinking water, and cash/card requirements.
Confirm the final room and start time for the June 8 Mayor and Island Council courtesy meeting.

Mitiaro lodging placeholder; replace with the booked basecamp as soon as it is confirmed

This placeholder is intentionally visible so the team knows Mitiaro lodging still needs real data.
The temporary map marker is pinned to Mitiaro Aerodrome until lodging coordinates are confirmed.
Add room split, host name, check-in details, and booking link when available.

Mitiaro rental vehicle or host transport placeholder

Confirm whether the team needs a rental vehicle, host pickup, or other ground transport.
Add pickup/dropoff timing and whether cash is required.

Basecamp map

1 public logistics points plus an approximate basecamp marker.

Mitiaro meal and grocery plan placeholder

Confirm breakfast, field lunch, dinner, drinking water, and any grocery fallback before arrival.
Mark cash/card status in data/payment_status.yml once known.

Important places

Mitiaro Aerodrome
Mitiaro Island Administration / Island Council
Mitiaro School
Lodging placeholder
Food and water plan placeholder
Vehicle or host transport placeholder

Local context

Mayor Tati Tutaka: Mitiaro Mayor | June 8 Island Council courtesy meeting; coordinate logistics through EO Anna Roi if direct email is needed.
Anna Roi: Executive Officer, Mitiaro Island Government | anna.roi@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 36108 | mobile +(682) 55268
Maora Murare: Mitiaro School / education contact | info@mitiaro.edu.ck | +(682) 36140

Mitiaro survey permission is approved; the June 8 courtesy meeting with the Mayor and Island Council is attached to the arrival day.
Booking DJ7XVV lists Mauke to Mitiaro on June 8, 2026, GZ-6648, 14:40-15:00 for Billy, Jacky, and Blake.
Booking OCEL8W lists Mitiaro to Rarotonga on June 12, 2026, GZ-649, 15:20-16:10 for Billy, Jacky, and Blake.
Emalee is included in the Mitiaro team per the updated itinerary, but her ticket source still needs to be attached if separate.
Mitiaro School visit is confirmed for Thursday, June 11 at 1:00 PM with Principal Maora Murare copied on the confirmation.
Prepared Mitiaro survey polygons are active for June 9, June 10, June 11, and June 12.

Basecamp 7 of 7

Rarotonga

June 12-13 | 1 nights | Blake, Billy, Emalee, Jacky

2 working days 0 reference points

Payment status

Lodging Confirmed

Final Rarotonga stop now starts after the June 12 Mitiaro return.

Vehicle Needs confirmation

Vehicle booking is not confirmed.

Food Confirmed

Plenty of food options.

Access Watch

Use this base for loose ends and departure staging.

Needs closure

Confirm whether the final Rarotonga lodging booking has been shortened to June 12-13.
Decide whether the final Rarotonga block needs a vehicle.

Airbnb booked for the final stop

Update the Airbnb booking source if the final stop is now June 12-13 only.

Airbnb booking

Vehicle booking not yet confirmed

Use this block for any loose ends.

Basecamp map

6 public logistics points plus an approximate basecamp marker.

Plenty of food options.

Plenty of food options.

Important places

CITC Supermarket
Rarotonga International Airport
Ministry of Marine Resources
Nukutere College
Korero O Te Orau

Local context

Celine Dyer: Climate Change Coordinator | celine.dyer@cookislands.gov.ck | +(682) 29 300
Phoebe Argyle: Senior Marine Ecologist | +682-28721 | Moss Road, Avarua
Koroa Raumea: Director, Inshore Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Marine Resources | k.raumea@mmr.gov.ck | +(682) 28730
Henrianna Yaqona: Nukutere College | info@nukutere.edu.ck | +(682) 26110
Korero O Te Orau: Environmental NGO | korerooteorau@gmail.com | +(682) 73560 | Avatiu Valley

Final stop.