Environment
Te Ipukarea Society : Regenerative tourism – turning this new concept into reality
Saturday 8 April 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The concept of Sustainable Tourism has been at the forefront of strategic and operational planning for decades. However the emerging paradigm shift is towards regenerative tourism.
Cook Islands to monitor pesticide use
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organisation Office for the Pacific is working with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Land Resources Division to implement the activities of a new proposed Pacific Regional Pesticide Registration Scheme.
PM assured AUKUS deal will not breach Rarotonga Treaty
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has said he has received assurances that the recent Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) proposals will not contravene the Treaty of Rarotonga.
Eliminate mozzie breeding grounds, says Te Marae Ora
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health is calling on the public to clean their yards and eliminate any potential mosquito breeding places.
Pressing ahead with environment policy
Monday 3 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
It’s a document which received applause from environmentalists and school students alike when it was launched last week. The Cook Islands National Environment Policy 2022-32 is an attempt to ‘escalate efforts to protect the environment’.
Te Ipukarea Society: Navigating challenging waters at the ISA
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society along with NGO indigenous representatives from Hawaii, Tahiti, Papua New Guinea and Aotearoa NZ participated as ‘observers’ in the recent International Seabed Authority meetings, which gave them the opportunity to intervene in matters discussed.
Cook Islands welcomes UN resolution on climate justice
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands Government has welcomed a landmark resolution calling for the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world’s highest court, to issue an advisory opinion on climate change.
Reports of ‘overcrowding’ as turtle tour guidelines still pending following delays
Thursday 30 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Turtle tour operators are worried about overcrowding as the Ministry of Marine Resources is still in the final stages of signing off guidelines.
Cook Islands chairing regional conference on sea level rise
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands High Commissioner to Fiji Jim Armistead is chairing a Pacific Islands Forum conference gathering of top global minds on international law in Fiji this week, putting the spotlight on sea level rise as it implicates statehood and persons.
Rarotonga farmers battle over potential sludge trial
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A meeting to discuss potential use of sludge from the new water treatment system came to an abrupt halt yesterday afternoon when tempers erupted between farmers who opposed and supported the idea.
Induction training for Aitutaki Environment Authority members
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Education, Environment, National, Outer Islands
Roselyn Strickland, National Environment Service (NES) environment legal counsel, and Benjamin Maxwell, NES senior environmental compliance, both of Aitutakian descent, delivered the board induction training to the Aitutaki Environment Authority (AEA) members following the issuing of their warrants by the Minister of Environment.
Mauke Environment Authority ready to tackle issues
Tuesday 21 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
Tekura Moeka’a, NES Manager of Environmental Policy & Planning, and Junior Tapoki, NES Senior Environmental Compliance, both of Maukean descent, travelled to Mauke to deliver two significant milestones for environmental leadership in Mauke – issuing of the warrants for the Mauke Environment Authority (MEA) board members and signing of MOU with the Mauke Island Government.
Public submissions open for major town project
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
The Panama beautification and Punanga Nui Market re-organisation project is gaining momentum with the National Environment Service yesterday announcing an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) permit application for public scrutiny.
Is the fate of our deep sea environment in the hands of the mining companies?
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
For some, the issue of seabed mining is not yet on their radar. For others, it’s a topic that’s too technical to understand so their interest drifts elsewhere. There are those who have already been convinced mining is the way to go. Then there are others who don’t want mining to ever go ahead. The truth is we simply do not know enough to make that decision.
PM issues new warrants to members of Marae Moana Technical Advisory Group
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has issued new warrants to eight representatives for the Marae Moana Technical Advisory Group.
Mitiaro Fan Palm Iniao making a come back
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
A simple search in the Cook Islands Biodiversity database shows the Cook Islands has 16 different types of Palms, with the majority being introduced for ornamental purposes. Two of the 16 have been identified as native. These are the common coconut palm, and the other, once thought to only be found on Mitiaro, the Mitiaro Fan Palm Pritchardia mitiaroana,locally known as the Iniao.
New growth recorded for endemic Mitiaro species – Iniao
Friday 3 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
A survey recently conducted in Mitiaro has identified new growth of endemic species, Mitiaro fan palm.
Report finds operation of sludge system ‘compliant’
Tuesday 28 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Local, National
A report into the operation of the sludge drying beds managed by the To Tatou Vai water authority has found them compliant.
Exploring our reef ecosystem
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
We at Te Ipukarea Society are always interested in learning what we might discover whilst out in the field investigating various ecosystems, writes Itirangi Pennycook.
‘Sludge’ concern
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
An environmental advocacy group is calling for better oversight of the Cook Islands’ water supply, after concerns about alleged sludge pollution in streams from the drinking water project Te Mato Vai.
