Over 60 attendees from across the maritime sector and the broader community gathered at The Islander Hotel for the Women in Maritime Breakfast on Tuesday 20th May 2025, a vibrant and inspiring event hosted by Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) to celebrate and elevate the achievements of women in the maritime industry.

The breakfast was held in recognition of the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime, observed annually on 18 May. Established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), this day shines a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of women in the maritime sector and reinforces ongoing efforts to boost female participation in maritime roles both at sea and onshore.

This year’s IMO theme, “An Ocean of Opportunity,” perfectly captured the spirit of the event, highlighting the diverse career pathways available to women in an industry historically dominated by men.

A lineup of distinguished guest speakers from various maritime roles shared their personal and professional journeys, offering inspiration and insight into the breadth of opportunities within the sector:

• Amy Ngatamaine, Maritime Security Officer at the Ministry of Transport, spoke about her career transition from border security to maritime compliance, emphasizing the value of transferable skills and adaptability.
• Moana Taio, Acting CEO of Taio Shipping, shared her extensive experience in inter-island shipping and her deep commitment to supporting the Pa Enua communities through vital maritime services.
• Kiahani Strickland reflected on her international yachting career across Australia and New Zealand as a deckhand and stewardess. Since returning home, she now serves as the Seafarer Training and Compliance Officer at MCI, playing a key role in nurturing the next generation of local seafarers.
• Tiare Alice Story, Head of the Seafarer Training and Certification Department at MCI, recounted her journey since entering the industry in 2020 and the unexpected opportunities she embraced through training and international representation. “A maritime career isn’t limited to working on ships — there are many diverse opportunities,” she said. “Maritime Cook Islands encourages anyone interested to reach out; we’re here to support your journey in this dynamic field.”
• Vaine Nooana-Arioka, In-country Manager for Minerals Ltd, shared her inspiring transition from CEO of the Bank of the Cook Islands to a leadership role in maritime and resource management, highlighting the wide range of leadership opportunities available to women.

Throughout the morning, discussions centred on key themes including building pathways for women in maritime, embracing risk and growth, balancing career with family life, and leading with integrity and purpose. The event served as a powerful call to action to increase female representation across all levels of the industry and to inspire more women to explore the many exciting opportunities the maritime sector offers.

Maritime Cook Islands extends sincere thanks to the guest speakers, organisers, and attendees whose energy and enthusiasm made the event a resounding success. MCI looks forward to continuing collaboration within the sector and to hosting future initiatives that uplift, connect, and empower women in maritime.