Environment
Cook Islands joins talks on Global Plastics Treaty
Friday 13 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands joined Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Bangkok this week for talks on Global Plastics Treaty, mainly discussing the fine print of the treaty.
Te Ipukarea Society: New research sheds light on community views on tourism in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Mitiaro.
Saturday 7 October 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Sieni Tiraa, local consultant for Griffith University, was busy conducting community tourism surveys earlier in the year. This research was spearheaded by Griffith University and aimed to obtain the people’s views on tourism, and their aspirations for future tourism in the Cook Islands.
Sheraton redevelopment steps up, road closure on the horizon
Thursday 5 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
The future of Rarotonga’s circuit road looks uncertain as plans for an inland diversion are pressing ahead to make way for the redevelopment of the abandoned Sheraton hotel in Vaimaanga.
Tree trimming starts multimillion dollar Te Tau Papa O Avarua project
Wednesday 4 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Tree trimming undertaken by Baker Tree Services started in the Avarua Township last week to “revitalise” the flora landscape, to eliminate any public safety hazards, and to help preserve healthy trees.
Rarotonga clean up day collects 357 kilos of waste
Tuesday 3 October 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Rarotonga’s “Clean Up the Cook Islands Day” led by the National Environment Service (NES) collected a total of 357 kilos of waste.
Doubt over Cook Islands’ 2025 renewable energy target
Tuesday 3 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Facilitating the general public to install grid tied domestic solar systems on their home would help the Cook Islands achieve 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025, says Te Ipukarea Society.
Deep sea mining: Is anybody listening?
Saturday 30 September 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
There will be many impacts of deep sea mining. Some will be very difficult to predict.
Learning more about conservation
Thursday 28 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Secretary for Agriculture Temarama Anguna-Kamana says the Pacific Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Network (PAPGREN) meeting continues to highlight the importance of each Pacific Island taking responsibility for preserving and conserving its own resources.
Environmental, fundraising initiative looking for new home
Monday 25 September 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
A portable dish-washing trailer built to keep disposable plates and cutlery out of Rarotonga’s landfill is struggling to find a new home.
Te Ipukarea Society: Palmerston Atoll bids farewell to rats
Sunday 24 September 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
A rat eradication exercise has just been completed in Palmerston Atoll. This was for two main reasons.
'Concerning events’ in marine areas
Saturday 23 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Key agencies are stepping up their actions in light of recent ‘concerning events’ involving the interaction of tourist operators and vulnerable marine species.
Avarua undergoing $120,000 makeover
Friday 22 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Avarua is getting an extensive $120,000, 12-month programme of flora revitalising, tree planting and maintenance.
Prime Minister advocates for climate change action funding
Friday 22 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has continued on his mission to advocate for the Pacific Islands Forum’s key priorities articulated in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
Cook Islands completes legacy waste collection programme for Vaka Puaikura
Thursday 21 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Te Titā ki te Titā kore project (whiteware and e-waste collection) for Murienua in Arorangi closed yesterday, completing the collection programme of legacy waste for Vaka Puaikura.
Illegal dumping continues to frustrate authorities
Wednesday 20 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Authorities are continuing to grapple with the random dumping of E-waste on Rarotonga following multiple incidents in the past fortnight.
Policy framework in development as regulations on the table for the management of sea turtles
Tuesday 19 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
A senior marine ecologist has confirmed the Ministry of Marine Resources is developing a “comprehensive policy framework” to inform the development of regulations for the conservation and management of sea turtles.
Having dialogue at Green Climate Fund event
Saturday 16 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
A Cook Islands delegation was in Songdo, Korea earlier last month attending the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Asia Pacific Dialogue.
Te Ipukarea Society: Who would have thought the Cook Islands has scorpions
Saturday 16 September 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Who would have thought the Cook Islands has scorpions.Two that have been recorded on the user friendly online ‘Cook Islands Biodiversity Database’ are the Bark scorpion, Tēkōpio Liocheles australasiae, and the Lesser Brown Scorpion, Sōkopio, Isometrus maculatus .
Online resources tipped to assist in battling diseases
Friday 15 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
The Pacific Community and the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation have launched three pivotal online resources – the revamped Regional Biosecurity Information Facility ,the upgraded Pacific Islands Pest List Database, and a newly established webpage.
Cleaning up the Cooks
Thursday 14 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Last year, Clean Up the Cooks Day resulted in a waste haul of 750.8 kilograms – the majority being general waste and scrap metal.
