Saturday 24 May 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Health, National
The RAPPA (Ruatonga-Avatiu-Panama-Palmerston-Atupa) Operation Namu25 team braved the rain, collecting trash in the area including tyres from the coastline. MELINA ETCHES/25052323
The initiative, coordinated by the Te Marae Ora/Ministry of Health comes after two new locally acquired dengue cases were confirmed on Thursday, bringing the total to seven.
Te Marae Ora has reassured residents and visitors that all confirmed cases are currently limited to Rarotonga, with no cases reported in the Pa Enua.
Operation Namu25 is a coordinated effort involving village-based Puna Disaster Risk Management (DRM) teams, Te Marae Ora, the National Environment Service (NES), Infrastructure Cook Islands, government agencies, the private businesses and community.
The operation includes widespread community clean-ups, targeted vector control and spraying in affected areas, and preventive coordination with island governments in the Pa Enua to maintain their dengue-free status.
Also read: Dengue outbreak declared
From around Rarotonga, the respective DRM Puna coordinators reported varied findings.
Tupapa Maraerenga DRM Puna coordinator, Phillip Strickland, noted improvements since last year’s Clean Up the World Day, though familiar waste types were found. A large stockpile of glass beer bottles, hidden under overgrown grass, was discovered in Ara Te Tonga. Floating debris was also cleared along the beach area.
In Takuvaine, Nooroa Roi reported minimal litter, saying, “We had to really search for rubbish.” Their team collected 10 bags of trash, indicating improved public behaviour.
RAPPA’s (Ruatonga-Avatiu-Panama-Palmerston-Atupa) Terry Utanga said that glass bottles were the most common waste collected. Their efforts collected nine onion sacks of glass, two bags of cans, general waste, and eight tyres. Utanga also noted continued illegal dumping on side roads, including green waste.
Oire Nikao cleaned from the Panama Market to Blackrock, clearing rubbish from back roads, the main road, and the coastline. Volunteer Daniel Fisher reported unusual finds including a stash of 30 unopened umbrellas and discarded party clothes.
In Ruaau, Vaipo Mataora highlighted two problem areas: the stream near the blue shop, cluttered with cans and plastics, and the popular Blackrock area, where rubbish bags were thrown down the rocks near the bins. Crossroads in the village, however, were clean.
For Muri Enua in Vaka Puaikura, Diana Ahsin praised the results of the NES and Cook Islands General Transport (CIGT) project – Titā ki te Titā kore – that collected and disposed of whiteware, electronic waste (e-waste) and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) on Rarotonga.
“This year there wasn’t dumped rubbish – just a fan frame and some bottles and cans,” said Ahsin. She was also encouraged by the involvement of students from Apii Rutaki and the strong turnout from women volunteers who outnumbered the men.
In Muri/Ngatangiia, Mura Herman from NES said he was pleased to see the teams from Pacific Resort and Moana Sands participate in the operation – as they usually do.
His team focused on cleaning Paringaru to Muri Beach, coastal areas, and side roads.
“We collected some buckets – a key mosquito breeding ground, as well as the usual plastic and glass bottles, but not as many,” Herman said.
Ngatangiia MP Tukaka Ama reported a good turnout from private sector volunteers, especially Pacific Resort staff.
“Plastic bottles and roadside litter were the most common,” he said, noting that there are few public service workers in the village as most appear to be employed in the private sector.
For Matavera, Takapi Kora said the main litter culprits were “Mother” energy drink cans and beer bottles. The village, overall, was clean and tidy, with streams and most public areas well maintained.
Titikaveka gathered to collect multiple bags of rubbish to eliminate mosquito habitats that were sorted by their team, including the village MP Sonny Williams.
Alistair Macquarie, the Titikaveka DRM Puna coordinator, acknowledged the Moana Sands and Pacific Resort hotel groups, as well as volunteers from Ngatangiia, for their help covering areas from Papaaroa to Parengaru and Muri Sports Field.
The Government’s dengue response highlights the importance of community action in safeguarding public health.
As the clean-up continues, authorities urge residents to stay vigilant, eliminate stagnant water and properly dispose of waste.