ABOUT US
Our Story
“In 2001, at 18 years old, I left my island of Rarotonga to venture out into the world. 15 years I have been away from my home, which the Cook Islands will always be. I completed both a Bachelor and Masters at the University of Auckland, worked for the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Air New Zealand, got married, and had two beautiful daughters. I never expected to be away this long. I lost family, friends, and time with many of my loved ones; I always wanted to come home. I promised that I would.”
This story is not unique, and although the details may differ, the connection of a Cook Islander to their home and their family resonates with many, if not all. However, the drive for aspiring young Cook Islanders to leave their home to seek higher education and greater employment opportunities is strong. So much so that that this inner conflict can derail the very success they left their home for.
SCO Rarotonga Limited (SCO) was formed with this story at its heart; in fact, it is our story. Davina Hosking-Ashford, co-founder and director of SCO, and her husband Nick Ashford were lucky. Davina and Nick found support from his business partners at Withers Tsang, a New Zealand Chartered Accounting Practice. They supported the dream that Davina and Nick had in raising their family in Rarotonga and providing a pathway for young Cook Islanders to experience higher education and employment opportunities without leaving the shores of their home.
This brought to life Socially Conscious Outsourcing (SCO). It is a program that employs and fully funds the study, leave, and resources for young aspiring Cook Islanders, all whilst being an economically viable opportunity for foreign businesses. For our very first contributor, Withers Tsang, this supports their ongoing commitment to providing a Foundation for Growth, one that allows both businesses and professionals to fulfill their potential.
With support from the Cook Islands Government SMART economic initiative, Xero and Vodafone, we look forward to an increasing number of overseas-based businesses becoming part of the future of Socially Conscious Outsourcing (SCO) and the growth of the cloud-based professional services industry in the Cook Islands.
Experienced Advisors
WHY US
Ability to Stay
One Step Ahead
Knowledge That Can Serve Your Needs
Our Program
When you are in the business of developing people, your greatest success is not measured by the people who stayed, but by the ones that went on to do great things.
The SCO Professional Pathways Program breaks the mould and stigma attached to outsourcing. Our team are cultivated by Tereora College, a Cook Islands secondary school that follows the New Zealand NCEA Curriculum. They are handpicked by their teachers, people that have known them for many years, and believe that they will realise their potential through our program.
The Professional Pathways team members receive on the job training whilst completing outsourced work provided by businesses that take pride in contributing toward professional development. With the support of these businesses, SCO is able to provide full-time employment as well as a fully funded Bachelors degree through Massey University New Zealand, all via distance learning.
The SCO Program only accepts outsourcing engagements from contributors that meet the following 3 conditions;
​
1. SCO is able to provide the outsourcing services in a way that is economically, financially, and socially rewarding to the contributor,
​
2. The services required to align to an appropriate Massey University distance learning bachelor degree,
​
3. The contributor is committed to the professional development of Professional Pathways team members.