Ewan Smith

Sir Ewan Francis Smith KNZM (born 3 April 1951) is a Cook Islands-based aviation executive. He is the founder and managing director of Air Rarotonga.

Sir Ewan Smith KNZM
Smith in 2019
Born	(1951-04-03) 3 April 1951 (age 74) New Zealand
Occupations	Businessman airline executive
Known for	Founder and managing director of Air Rarotonga
Spouse	Fenny Manavaroa ​ (m. 1984)​
Children	5

Early life and family

Smith was born in New Zealand on 3 April 1951, the son of Audrey Smith (née Harris) and Elmer Smith, and spent his childhood in Rotorua.^[1][2][3] He arrived in Rarotonga in 1973 at the age of 22 as a qualified pilot and licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, intending originally to stay only a few years.^[4]

In 1984, Smith married Fenny Veronica Manavaroa in Rarotonga.^[2] The couple went on to have five children.^[5]

Career

Air Rarotonga

In 1978, Smith founded Air Rarotonga, and has since served as its managing director.^[3] Under Smith’s leadership, Air Rarotonga became one of the Cook Islands' largest private-sector employers, with over 95 percent local staffing.^[3]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith opted not to lay off any airline staff, placing all employees, including himself, on the minimum wage. The airline continued to operate essential services, including cargo deliveries, medical evacuations, and COVID-19 vaccine transportation throughout the Cook Islands and into Kiribati.^[6]

Governance and appointments

Smith has served in various leadership roles in regional tourism and business. He has been chair of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation since 2010, a former chair of the Association of South Pacific Airlines, and served as president of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce in 1996.^[3][7]

Other activities

In 2023, Smith played a role in the launch of the vaka Teariki Moana in Aitutaki for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting. The vaka later began operating as a tourism experience.^[4][7] Smith has been patron of the Rarotonga Golf Club since 2005, and is a Fellow of the King's College Foundation in Auckland.^[3]

Smith is also an author, professional photographer and amateur cook.^[8]

Honours and awards

In 2009, Smith received a lifetime achievement award at the first Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards.^[9]

In the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Smith was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Cook Islands business and tourism.^[10] In the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, he was promoted to Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, also for services to Cook Islands business and tourism.^[3][4][7]