Roselyn Strickland, National Environment Service (NES) environment legal counsel, and Benjamin Maxwell, NES senior environmental compliance, both of Aitutakian descent, delivered the board induction training to the Aitutaki Environment Authority (AEA) members following the issuing of their warrants by the Minister of Environment.

The Aitutaki Environment Authority members include Tupuariki Puna (chairperson), Mataiti Pitomaki (Te Marae Ora rep), Richard Story (NGO rep), Tuaine George (Aronga ManarRep) and the three Member of Parliament of Aitutaki (Tereapii Maki, Tai Herman and Toanui Isamaela).

The induction programme was the first of its kind for the AEA members following the delivery of the first programme to the Rarotonga Environment Authority (REA) in 2022. The training is essential for all Island Environment Authorities (IEA) covered under the Environment Act 2003, NES said in a statement.

“It offers an opportunity to strengthening and promoting understanding around the roles, functions and powers of the IEA and NES. The Aitutaki based environment officer, Avele Simona, also assisted with the delivery of the board induction programme. 

“As an independent decision-making authority, NES aims to provide the necessary administrative and secretarial support to the AEA to meet the objectives set out in the Environment Act 2003.”

• NES