Environment
Cook Islands celebrates World Water Day despite ongoing shortages
Friday 22 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands joins the world in celebrating World Water Day today, despite recent challenges with water shortages in homes, especially those living in the Pa Enua.
Fertiliser shortage threatens crops, says former Agriculture minister
Friday 22 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands growers face a crisis as fertiliser and spray shortages threaten crops across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua islands.
Cook Islands cracks down on junk cars
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
“Te Titā ki te Titā kore – Legacy Waste Collection” campaign towards a cleaner, more sustainable future continues to take action with its end-of-life vehicle (ELV) collection beginning next month.
Takitumu Conservation Area set to become first OECM in Pacific
Tuesday 19 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
In a first for the Cook Islands as well as the rest of the Pacific, the Takitumu Conservation Area (TCA) will be submitted to be internationally recognised as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM).
‘Hazardous’ Gold Country scuttled at sea after environmental approval
Tuesday 19 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Environment, National
A hazardous Cook Islands commercial vessel, MV Gold Country, was towed out to sea and scuttled last month after approval from environmental authorities due to safety concerns.
Te Ipukarea Society: Kō’iti Raukura educational programme inspires future guardians
Sunday 17 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
A six-week Kō’iti Raukura (Red Fiddler Crab) educational programme began last week. The collaboration between Muri Environmental Care, Natural Heritage Trust (NHT), Te Ipukarea Society and Te Uki Ou School aims to inspire and educate students about local biodiversity.
Cook Islands women attend disaster risk reduction training in Tonga
Tuesday 12 March 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islanders Eileen Macquarie and Ella Napara participated in the weeklong second phase of the disaster risk reduction training in Nuku’alofa, Tonga last week.
Te Ipukarea Society: Corporate members recognised for eco efforts
Saturday 9 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
It is that time of year again where we acknowledge the support of our 2023 corporate members. Corporate members of Te Ipukarea Society help support the society undertake multiple environmental-based projects that protect the Cook Islands natural capital.
$10 million project aims to reduce single-use plastics
Friday 8 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A project to reduce the number of plastics entering the country, focused on the food and beverage sector, was discussed during a workshop in Rarotonga this week.
Cook Islands secures $20m grant to build climate-resilient nation
Thursday 7 March 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, Health, National, Outer Islands
A project aiming to build a healthy and resilient nation in the context of climate change and set to benefit more than 15,000 Cook Islanders, will start to be implemented in the coming months, thanks to an estimated US 12.5 million (NZ$20.3m) Green Climate Fund (GCF) grant.
NES develops environmental management plan to address unsustainable turtle tours
Wednesday 6 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service is developing an environmental management plan to address concerns about unsustainable tourism practices impacting sea turtles in Rarotonga.
Award-winning photographer calls for protection of Cook Islands marine life
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands photographer Charlotte Piho, who represented the Oceania region at the Xposure Festival in Dubai last week, received another photography award.
Operator raises concerns over increased motorised boats in lagoon
Tuesday 5 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
A turtle tour operator has raised concerns that there has been an increased use of motorised boats in the Avaavaroa Passage.
Tourism, Snorkel Cook Islands clash over turtle tour regulations
Monday 4 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands Tourism has responded to Snorkel Cook Islands’ claims, stating that the operator’s model does not meet the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed upon by nine other turtle tour operators.
Te Ipukarea Society: Pacific partners talk tourism
Saturday 2 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society recently participated in the Pacific Tourism Partners Immersion Programme organised by Griffith Institute for Tourism based in Brisbane, Australia.
Marine and lagoon assessment to begin in Aitutaki
Friday 1 March 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National
The National Environmental Services (NES) has finally secured technical expertise to undertake a detailed marine biological baseline assessment of the marine benthic biomes and resources (biotic and abiotic) within the Aitutaki project sites.
Absentee landowners major issue
Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands is reforming its land laws and have started public meetings on Rarotonga to gather suggestions and feedback from Cook Islanders.
Cook Islands and Saudi Arabia prioritise economic resilience and renewable energy
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
The Cook Islands and Saudi Arabia have prioritised economic resilience, culture, technology and renewable energy as areas for possible future cooperation following a series of bilateral discussions in Rarotonga.
Taking a dive into safety: Turtle tour operators sign MOU to enhance safety and sustainability
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
Most turtle tour operators have signed a voluntary agreement with Cook Islands Tourism to enhance safety and environmental practices, but one operator disagrees, citing concerns about unchecked industry growth and safety gaps.
‘Greenwashing’: Environment group slams ‘mineral harvesting’ in Seabed Mining Act
Monday 26 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
The introduction of the term ‘mineral harvesting’ in the legislation governing seabed minerals in the Cook Islands is an attempt to ‘greenwash this destructive industry’, says a local environment group.
