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Man found guilty of rape, burglary
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Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
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Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
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Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
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Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
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Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
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Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
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Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
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PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
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Everyone is a winner, says Culture
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Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
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Housing crisis hits tourism industry
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
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Articles by Te Ipukarea Society
Considering the possible impacts of deep sea mining in the Cooks
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
In the recent Parliament opening, King’s Representative Sir Tom Masters spoke of the Cook Islands’ desire to develop a sustainable and environmentally responsible seabed minerals sector. This week, also in Parliament, Leader of the Opposition Tina Browne criticised Government for rushing ahead in regards to deep sea mining.
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.
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.
TIS: Protecting our turtles by being a conscious consumer
Saturday 25 March 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Editorials, Opinion
Travelling the seas by day and night are the ancient sea creatures known as onu, or sea turtles. The deep blue waters contain a variety of turtles from leatherbacks to loggerheads and several more.
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.
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.
Te Ipukarea Society: Biodegradable FADs and the purse seine fishery in the Cook Islands
Saturday 4 March 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Opinion
A one-day stakeholder consultation at the Crown Beach Resort in Rarotonga was held to discuss an upcoming project related to tuna fisheries in the region.
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.
Making a global ocean impact
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress held in Vancouver Canada has provided an important global networking opportunity for nations to learn from one another about the challenges and success stories that come with establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). In addition, an important theme for this year’s congress has been a focus on indigenous leadership in ocean conservation.
E Tu’a Pukuruvaa Nui – Sharing ideas amongst one another
Saturday 11 February 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
A two-day tourism conference was held at Tamanu Beach Resort on Tuesday and Wednesday this past week. Participants included tour operators, accommodators, retailers, Members of Parliament, Aronga Mana reps and the mayor and island council representatives of Aitutaki.
Te Ipukarea Society: What wetlands do for you
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Opinion
Since 1971, February 2 has been marked as the official World Wetlands Day. This is the day environmentalists from around the world celebrate the significant benefits that wetlands provide for our planet and its biodiversity, and raise awareness about wetlands on a global scale
What’s the cost to our oceans?
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society shares environmental issues in the Cook Islands with the Catholic Synod Forum.
Mysteries of the deep
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Do you ever ponder on what lives down in the mysterious deep sea? Covering such a vast area, who knows what great wonders can be found deep down below?
Reduce plastic waste – buy in bulk, save money
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Tourism is the largest income generator for the Cook Islands by a large margin. However, single use plastic waste generated by the tourism industry is a major contributor to the waste ending up in our landfill. This is not sustainable, writes Te Ipukarea Society.
Encourage one another to good works …
Saturday 7 January 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This week’s opinion piece is from Te Ipukarea Society executive member June Hosking. Title is taken from Hebrews 10:24-25.
Youth leading the way for our Ipukarea
Saturday 31 December 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Education, Environment, National
Leaders of the 56 Commonwealth countries have declared 2023 the ‘Year of the Youth’. A year to inspire young leaders of the Commonwealth but also a year for youth-led movements to come up with solutions to the Commonwealth’s development hurdles.
Santa’s waste free Christmas tips
Saturday 24 December 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
Another Christmas is upon us. Together with all the fun and good times spent with family, opening presents and eating more than enough at the Christmas kaikai, an enormous amount of rubbish will be generated. So here are a few tips from Santa to help you minimise your impact on our already overflowing landfill.
Compost: Your trash, nature’s treasure!
Saturday 17 December 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
Most of us have thrown out food at some point in our life with disregard to where it will actually end up. Maybe we put more food on our plates than our stomachs can handle. Throwing food scraps away may not seem like a big deal, but the steps and resources involved in getting the food onto your plate are then wasted as well.
Using nature to hold it all together
Saturday 10 December 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
Almost two years ago to the day we completed construction of a 45 metre stretch of geotextile sand bag (geobag) revetment wall at Avana Harbour, to help protect the foreshore from erosion.
Get on the bus!
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
Rarotonga and Aitutaki probably have among the highest numbers of motor vehicles per person in the world, meaning we are likely to produce among the most greenhouse gas emissions per person from motor vehicles.
