Project overview
Aitutaki Airport is a critical transport lifeline connecting Aitutaki with Rarotonga and supporting both the local community and tourism sector. Climate Change Cook Islands required a robust understanding of the current and future coastal hazards threatening Aitutaki Airport, including the impacts of sea level rise, storm events and long-term shoreline change. The assessment needed to identify practical adaptation options that would improve climate resilience while supporting informed investment decisions for critical infrastructure.
Tonkin + Taylor International is leading a comprehensive assessment of coastal hazards and climate change risks affecting the Airport. The project evaluates present-day and future risks associated with coastal processes and climate change, providing the evidence needed to support resilient infrastructure planning. The project also includes physical model testing to validate the design of a discrete 400-metre coastal protection structure being developed by the Cook Islands Government.
