Cook Islands first country to arrive in Port Moresby for Pacific Games

Cook Islands athletes have arrived in Port Moresby with the 2015 Pacific Games just days away ©Getty Images

The Cook Islands have become the first country to arrive here and check into the Athletes' Village for the Pacific Games, due to start on Saturday (July 4).

Their delegation touched down in Papua New Guinea’s capital following the arrival of an advance party last week.

The Cook Islands’ have already been joined by delegations from Vanuatu, Tahiti and Kiribati, becoming the first occupants of the brand new facility with members of Australia and American Samoa's team arriving shortly after.

The Cook Islands, which comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres and has a population of under 15,000, is currently 11th on the all-time Pacific Games medals table.

They have won a total of 96 medals, including 19 gold.

They sent of 212 athletes and officials to the last Pacific Games in Nouméa, New Caledonia, winning a total of 12 medals, including two gold, both in sailing, to finish ninth overall.

An observer delegation from the Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games is also residing at the Games Village.

Team Tahiti's advance party at Jacksons International Airport with their Chef de Mission, Gordon Barff — Team Tahiti's advance party at Jacksons International Airport with their Chef de Mission Gordon Barff ©Port Moresby 2015

Tahitian Chef de Mission Gordon Barff claimed he was delighted with the facilities at the Athletes' Village.

The Village's catering manager Triston Allen claimed his team of 160 staff is ready to serve the 4,000 athletes and officials coming to Port Moresby for 14 days of sporting action across 28 sports.