Sexual harassment in the Cook Islands hospitality industry

The Cook Islands are tourist hub, a place for people to unwind and soak up the culture and sights. 

Many communities rely on the tourism and hospitality industries but there's a problem, an underlying issue of sexual harassment. 

That's according to research by Lisa Sadaraka, programme leader for AUT's Bachelor of International Hospitality Management.

Lisa, a Cook Islander herself, has been looking into the causes, and the impact, of visitors sexually harassing hospitality workers.

Traditional Cook Islands dance costumes Credit: Bill Johnson

Contemporary Cook Islands costumes Credit: Tourism Cook Islands

Traditional Cook Islands dance costumes Credit: Bill Johnson

Contemporary Cook Islands costumes Credit: Tourism Cook Islands

Traditional Cook Islands dance costumes Credit: Bill Johnson

Contemporary Cook Islands costumes Credit: Expedia New Zealand