The first New Zealand volunteers taking part in a new Pacific Islands Business Mentoring Programme have started work in the Cook Islands.
Five volunteers from Business Mentors New Zealand arrived in Rarotonga this month.
The Cook Islands is the first of 11 Pacific countries to be included in a project, which will run for three years.
It is supported by the New Zealand aid agency, NZAID.
The programme aims to assist small and medium sized businesses to manage and grow their businesses sustainably.
It's hoped the programme will help identify other business needs such as training, and create opportunities for partnerships and joint ventures, as well as increasing Pacific exports.