Sir Ewan Smith, of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, KNZM for services to Cook Islands business and tourism
Sir Ewan Smith founded and has been Managing Director of Air Rarotonga Ltd. since 1978 and was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Cook Islands business and tourism in 2019. Sir Ewan has overseen growth of Air Rarotonga to what is now one of the largest private sector employers in the Cook Islands, and where more than 95 percent of all employees are ‘local’ Cook Islanders. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he ensured no Air Rarotonga employee was made redundant, and the airline maintained essential cargo and medevac services throughout the Cook Islands including air logistics for the Covid vaccine rollout. Everyone including himself was placed on a minimum wage and he provided mentorship, counselling and budget advice to staff. He has continued as Chair of Cook Islands Tourism since 2010, chaired the Association of South Pacific Airlines and is a former President of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce. In 2023 he oversaw the launch of the new vaka ‘Teariki Moana’ in Aitutaki, hosting Pacific leaders attending the 52nd Forum leaders meeting and now developing into a world-class tourism experience, further increasing local professional employment opportunities. Sir Ewan has remained Patron of the Rarotonga Golf Club since 2005 and is a Fellow of the Kings College Foundation.