Nuku Rapana hails from Pukapuka; a coral atoll in the northern group of the Cook Islands. He migrated to Auckland, New Zealand over 50 years ago where he now plays a significant role as a community leader. He is the president of the Pukapuka Island Community and as president, Rapana has led a strategy of development that has brought many innovations to this community. He also established the Pukapuka community centre in South Auckland where he has been instrumental in the development of enterprise, social services, and employment training schemes, as well as health and housing initiatives for the Pukapuka island community in New Zealand.