Henderson dedicates Leadership Mace to pandemic response team Tuesday 11 August 2026 | Written by Teitimoana Tairi | Published in Economy, Health, National ShareFinancial Secretary Garth Henderson has dedicated his Prime Minister’s Leadership Mace – the Taiki Pāeru o Te-Atukura – to the people who worked alongside him during the Cook Islands’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Henderson was among 12 recipients honoured at the inaugural Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki Cook Islands National Awards. Henderson said the national response depended on agencies working together, with political leadership also playing an important role. Reflecting on the experience, Henderson said the pandemic had highlighted the Cook Islands’ vulnerability as a small island economy but had also demonstrated what could be achieved through cooperation. I regard it as recognition of what the Cook Islands achieved together.”