The Cook Islands Suwarrow National Park will open its maritime borders to visiting international vessels tomorrow after having closed its entry for a few years since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Every year the National Environment Service (NES) sends two park rangers to Suwarrow for six to eight months of the year to protect and manage the environment and wildlife of the island – a designated national park and bird sanctuary since 1978.

Veteran park ranger Harry Papa’i and assistant park ranger Teina Vakapora departed Rarotonga yesterday on board Taio Shipping’s MV Lady Moana for the 900-odd kilometres north by northwest of Rarotonga trip to Suwarrow.

Last November the couple returned from a five month caretaking stay on Suwarrow and both had been waiting in anticipation to return to the island of solitude.

Papa’i said, “I always do look forward to going back to Suwarrow, and this time the yachties will be allowed to visit so we will be busy.”

This time around is Vakapora’s second adventure to the island.

“I am very happy to be going back, excited and I am looking forward to it and looking forward to eating seafood and to some peace and quiet.

Family and friends farewell National Environment Service (NES) Suwarrow park rangers at Avatiu Harbour yesterday afternoon. MELINA ETCHES/23052937

“We have done border control training so we will be very busy while we are there since the yachties will be allowed back on June 1^st,” said Vakapora.

Papa’i and Vakapora will serve as immigration, biosecurity and customs officers for visiting vessels that stop by.

Elisabeth Munro, Senior Biodiversity Officer at NES said “we do have rules and regulations in regards to visiting vessels to Suwarrow which have been established for many years now.”

The park rangers will manage the island to ensure everyone complies to the rules and regulations NES have in place.

“Making sure that the yachties and any that do visit the national park, that they comply with the rules and the processes in place and also follow the designated places where they can anchor in the lagoon.

“Safety is also important for our park rangers and regular communication,” said Munro.

The rangers play a key role in ensuring the Suwarrow National Park remains protected and are expected to return in November.

Also on board Lady Moana are Repeta Kirikava and Wally Wuatai from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) unit at the Office of the Prime Minister.

For both Kirikava and Wuatai this their first voyage to the island of Palmerston where they expect to stay for five days to work on “connecting” the government agencies.

“The purpose of the project is so they have a  better connection to the data centre on Rarotonga”, said Wuatai, the Technician Support.

Kirikava is an intern and was excited to be heading out to sea.

“I love the water so this trip is going to be an good experience and I’m excited to see Palmerston and assist with this project,” she said. Family and friends gathered at Avatiu Harbour about 2pm to farewell the NES and Office of the Prime Minister staff.