Environment
NES to strengthen environmental data reporting in proposed bill
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
National Environment Service (NES) is proposing a new Environment Bill to improve data reporting, strengthen its role as a permitting authority and update regulations for a changing environment.
Te Ipukarea Society: The mysteries of the Pacific Starlings
Saturday 18 May 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Have you ever been for a walk in the forest and been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a smokey dark grey bird with pale yellow eyes? If you have, you may have been looking at the shy and hard to find ‘Ī’oi or Rarotonga starling.
Vaimaanga residents sought for input on turtle tour operations
Wednesday 15 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A community consultation for residents in Vaimaanga and stakeholders, including traditional leaders and landowners, will be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 16, at 6pm at the Vaimaanga Meeting House
$4 million investment aims to end Aitutaki’s water supply struggles
Monday 13 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
An Aitutaki resident believes government investment in water management alongside responsible water usage by residents is key to solving the island’s water supply issues.
Avaavaroa turtles ‘more camera-friendly’ than neighbours
Saturday 11 May 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Fun fact! Did you know that the facial patterns seen on a turtle’s face are unique to that specific turtle? Similar to how your fingerprint are unique to you.
Ra’ui placed in lagoon for Tongareva’s ‘homecoming’
Saturday 11 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
A ra’ui has been placed in the southern part of the lagoon for Tongareva’s homecoming event to be held in December 2025.
Cook Islands reiterates commitment to ocean conservation
Friday 10 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Cook Islands’ efforts and ongoing commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable ocean management was highlighted by Prime Minister Mark Brown at a global conference.
Organic farmers fear water tariffs could threaten food security
Friday 10 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
The proposed water tariffs could cripple the Cook Islands’ agricultural supply, warns Natura Kuki Airani (NKA), the Cook Islands organic movement.
Cook Islands lead call for stronger ocean science at UN Conference
Wednesday 1 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
“You cannot manage what you cannot measure,” said Prime Minister Mark Brown at the Ocean Decade Conference held in Barcelona, Spain, last month.
National Environment Service partners with Monash University to strengthen environmental protections
Tuesday 30 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Enhancing Cook Islands capacity and learning opportunities when it comes to science, environment and legal policy is at the core of a partnership between the National Environment Service (NES) and Monash University in Australia.
Te Ipukarea Society: School holiday programmes dive deep into ecology
Saturday 27 April 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Over the last week of the school holiday period, Te Ipukarea Society and Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau have combined efforts to run their respective youth programmes Mata Nātura and ‘Ātui’anga Ki Te Tango (AKTT).
Te Ipukarea Society: Earth Day 2024- Cook Islands champions plastic reduction goals
Saturday 20 April 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This coming Monday marks the 54th year recognising ‘Earth Day’. This is an event celebrated on April 22 every year to raise awareness on issues important to the health of our environment.
Asbestos removal project nears completion, disposal pending
Friday 19 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
A $400,000 project to remove asbestos from a government building in Avarua is nearing completion, but there is no decision yet on how to dispose of the harmful fibres.
Spy film type thing: Alarm grows over Cook Islands cryptocurrency bill
Monday 15 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Technology
Alarm is growing over proposed Cook Islands legislation, drafted by a US-based company, which could validate hacking into any account or system in the world, writes Barbara Dreaver, Pacific Correspondent 1News.
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
Monday 15 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands, Technology
Repairs to the solar power system in the northern group islands could take up to a year and residents need to conserve their power useage, says the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
Te Ipukarea Society: Who wants to be a plastic Maori?
Saturday 13 April 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
For the past six weeks, Te Ipukarea Society has been assisting the National Environment Service develop a project aimed at reducing single use plastics (SUPs) in the food and beverage industry of the Cook Islands.
Rarotonga residents push back on water tariff plan
Friday 12 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
A public meeting about potential water tariffs received mixed reactions, with some attendees concerned about affordability and others in favour of charging businesses.
Proposal to regulate turtle tour industry ‘welcomed’
Thursday 11 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
Government agencies are considering regulating the turtle tour industry through a licensing system to manage it after a public consultation showed support for the idea.
NES selects consultant to develop sea turtle conservation plan for Rarotonga
Wednesday 10 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) has selected a qualified and experienced consultant to develop an environmental management plan to address sea turtle conservation concerns.
To Tatou Vai seeks public input on new water tariff structure
Tuesday 9 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
Cook Islands water authority To Tatou Vai is consulting with the community and other stakeholders to determine a water tariff structure for Rarotonga based on usage and operational costs.
