The National Environment Service (NES) is “actively investigating” reports of burning rubbish near the Blackrock ECE school in Nikao, following concerns raised last week about the potential threat to children’s health and safety from neighbouring homes.

NES says it is aware of the recent concerns by the community regarding the burning of rubbish, specifically plastics, near Apii Blackrock within the Nikao Area.

According to Sandee Cook, NES environmental partnerships coordinator, “We have been in contact with the principal of Blackrock ECE and our Environmental Compliance (EC) team is actively investigating this issue.”

Cook explained that under the new Solid and Hazardous Waste Act 2025, “it is an offence to dispose of hazardous waste by burning, burying and dumping it”.

Section 17 specifically prohibits the burning of plastic waste and tyres.

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“These actions are prohibited due to the serious environmental and health risks they pose. Penalties for non-compliance are outlined in Sections 16 and 17 of the Act.”

According to Cook, Blackrock ECE principal Stephanie Forbes reached out NES last week regarding a concerned parent who had raised the issue on a Rarotonga Facebook page.

NES is continuously making contacts with the school and their Environmental team (EC) who is actively investigating the issue, she said.

A parent first highlighted the issue on the Rarotonga Community and Beyond Facebook page, alerting the community to this impactful behaviour.

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“Over the past couple of days, someone has been burning plastics and other stuff that should not be burnt near Blackrock Api'i Potiki ECE, and the toxic fumes are drifting toward the school,” the parent posted last week.

“My son, who attends the school and suffers from asthma, has been affected — these fumes are triggering his symptoms, and it’s been really tough on him and our family.

“Please, I’m asking with love and concern — those toxic fumes are harmful to everyone, but especially to a school full of our precious tamariki. The continued behaviour of burning rubbish releases toxic fumes that are harmful to everyone in the area, this is particularly concerning when a school is nearby, as children are more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of these fumes.”

Speaking to Cook Islands News last week, Blackrock ECE’s Forbes shared that parents were especially worried about the toxic fumes emitted from burning plastics, as these fumes pose a direct threat to their children’s health.

“It is bad for all of us who inhale smoke. Ideally no one needs to burn plastic at all, given that the majority of the island has weekly rubbish collection right outside their house.”

NES is grateful and appreciative towards the community for voicing such a common issue in the Cook Islands.

“We appreciate the role of community voices in highlighting these issues and encourage safe, legal, and environmentally responsible disposal of waste,” Cook said.