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.
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.
Saturday 19 August 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This article has been drawn largely from two reports. One was published in the journal Nature in June 2023, and the other, a Secretariat for the Pacific Community (SPC) report from 2018. These references are available on request.
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has the dual mandate of regulating mining of the seabed and also protecting that same seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction (also known as international waters, high seas, or simply the area).
Saturday 29 July 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society recently guided some visiting scientists from New Zealand up to Tereora Hill to observe any unexpected impacts of an introduced bio-control agent. This article is written by one of those scientists, Alana den-Breeyen.
Saturday 22 July 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This week’s environmental column was written by Te Ipukarea Society executive member June Hosking. Te Ipukarea Society is a non-government environmental group established in 1996.
Saturday 15 July 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Currently, governments from around the world are meeting at the 28th Session of the International Seabed Authority from 10-28 July in Kingston, Jamaica.
Saturday 8 July 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society has been trialing the rent a plate portable dishwashing trailer at the Muri Night Market for several nights over the past two months. The more nights the rent-a-plate is operating, the less rubbish from disposeable plates and cutlery ends up in our landfill.
Saturday 1 July 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This week’s environmental article is written by Te Ipukarea Society executive member June Hosking.
Friday 23 June 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Effective waste management in the Pa Enua is near nonexistent with limited infrastructure and no funding made available to send recyclable waste off each of the islands.
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This article is adapted and based almost entirely on a story by Elene Peradze, on the IMPAKTER Platform and Magazine website.
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
World Parrot Day celebrated on May 31 gives us a good excuse to bring more attention to a couple of our own brightly coloured lorikeets that come under the parrot family.
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Proponents of mining our deep ocean seafloor justify the need for this hugely destructive process, largely by claims that the minerals from the deep are needed for batteries for electric vehicles.
Saturday 20 May 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Rarotonga’s passages are key sites for spotting two species of sea turtles, the endangered green turtle and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle.
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
It has been almost 12 months since the last Te Ipukarea Society Annual General Meeting (AGM). As usual, before our AGM, we look back over the activities of the Society for the preceding 12 months.
Saturday 6 May 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Polynesian rats were introduced to the Cook Islands via early Vaka voyages. With time other species typically more dominant and destructive such as the ship rat and Norwegian rat were introduced via trading vessels arriving from far and wide.
Saturday 29 April 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
With tourism numbers back on the rise, there are now innovative opportunities to “build back better”. Opportunities that not only create positive visitor experiences but experiences where visitors can participate in solutions that “Protect our Little Paradise” whilst on holiday.
Saturday 22 April 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Today is the last day of Earth week for 2023, celebrated from April 14th to the 22nd. It is a week set aside for communities to demonstrate their support for a healthy environment, and remind people that we all need to contribute to a sustainable planet.
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.
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.