Environment
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.
Ridding Palmerston Island of rats
Thursday 14 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Palmerston island may soon be rat-free.
Increased reports of ‘inadvertent or inconsiderate actions’ in our waters
Thursday 14 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
A warning bell has sounded following the death of an endangered green turtle in Rarotonga waters.
Agriculture staff in para-veterinary class
Wednesday 13 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Six Ministry of Agriculture biosecurity and livestock staff have been attending a veterinary summer class, and at the end of the year, the successful participants will receive certification from SPC and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Cooks delegation at GEF Assembly
Saturday 9 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
A Cook Islands delegation co-led by National Environment Service Director Halatoa Fua and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Director of Treaties, Multilaterals and Oceans Division Sandrina Thondoo have attended the 7th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly.
Te Ipukarea Society: The potential impacts of deep sea mining on global climate change
Saturday 9 September 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
In the pursuit of valuable minerals and resources, humanity is increasingly turning its attention to the depths of the ocean floor through deep sea mining.
‘Random dump’ of E-waste is piling up
Friday 8 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Authorities are grappling with the random dumping of E-waste on Rarotonga during the same week they have provided a convenient way for the community and commercial operators to part ways with old unused electronic devices and vehicles.
Legacy waste collection kicks off
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
National Environment Service (NES) in partnership with Cook Islands General Transport (CIGT) launched the Titā ki te Titā kore, E-Waste & Whiteware collection project this week.
Te Ipukarea Society: Weeds team visit Cook Islands for natural enemies progress update
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Today’s article comes from the Manaaki Whenua Land Care Research team that have being doing work here over the past few weeks.
Drones show African tulip trees’ ‘small but mighty’ natural enemies are doing their job
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Aerial images collected during a survey on Rarotonga’s forests earlier this month show that the beetles released in 2021 to control the African tulip trees have been successful.
Blue supermoon dances above Rarotonga
Friday 1 September 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
Rarotonga’s full moon walkers were treated to a rare phenomenon as the first blue supermoon in 14 years ducked between the clouds above Muri Beach on Wednesday evening.
A stronger Pacific bio security system means better outcomes
Wednesday 30 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, National
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) - the standard-setting body for plants and plant products based in Rome, develops draft standards every year which are sent to all the members of the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) to review and to ensure they are relevant to the Pacific.
Reconnecting people to address climate change
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Features, In Depth, National
Focusing on educating and changing mindsets as a solution to climate change is about reconnecting people to their environment and their resources through agriculture, says Dr Teina Rongo, marine biologist and environment warrior.
Cooks artist calls out authorities over support for release of Japan wastewater
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Renowned artist and cultural icon Mike Tavioni has raised his voice in frustration over government support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Japan’s release of ‘treated’ nuclear wastewater into the Pacific.
Te Ipukarea Society: Trees of Palmerston Island
Saturday 26 August 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Palmerston Atoll is made up of six main Motu and a number of sand cays dotted around a lagoon teeming with marine life. There is no airstrip. A cargo boat visits every few months to ferry passengers, food supply, gas and fuel.
Puna: Fukishima talks tabled for Cooks Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
Thursday 24 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Environment, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
It appears the Pacific is still divided on the Fukishima wastewater issue and likely to be a hot topic of conversation at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum on Rarotonga.
Fresh calls for revival of breadfruit industry
Thursday 24 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, National
The highly anticipated Global Breadfruit Summit has placed breadfruit in the spotlight and provided a platform to promote the potential of the fruit in the Cook Islands, and as a catalyst for sustainable development in the Pacific region.
Cooks Prime Minister supports the release of Fukushima water
Wednesday 23 August 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Pacific Islands
Prime Minister Mark Brown has given a clear message on his support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Japan’s proposed plans to release ‘treated’ nuclear wastewater into the Pacific.
