Environment
Te Ipukarea Society: Cook Islanders gain insights on sustainable Blue Economy practices in US
Saturday 6 April 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The International Visitors Leaders Programme (IVLP) funded by the U.S State Department nominated 10 representatives from the Pacific who work within the ‘Blue Economy’ to participate in a three-week long knowledge exchange programme in the United States.
Safe but shaken: Cook Islanders in Taiwan feel strong earthquake
Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
A group of Cook Islanders visiting Taiwan had a close call with the strongest earthquake in a quarter-century that rocked the country on Wednesday morning, killing nine people and injuring more than 1000.
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weather
Residents of Penrhyn island are investigating the cause of a large die-off of milkfish in a local fish pond, suspecting it is related to recent extreme heat and low oxygen levels in the water.
Te Ipukarea Society’s sustainable keyhole garden takes root
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
After weeks of collecting material, a bit of lifting and digging, Te Ipukarea Society has finally started up their keyhole garden again ready to use for planting!
House of Ariki and Maori King join forces for whale protection
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The House of Ariki and Aotearoa Maori King signed a declaration advocating for the legal personhood of whales and their protection.
Resort champions sustainability through coral planting initiative
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Features, Go Local, National
A resort in Aitutaki is actively engaged in a coral planting initiative to restore and preserve the health of their lagoon’s marine ecosystem.
Fisheries revenue to double
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands’ fisheries revenue is projected to double following the historic Tuna Treaty between the Pacific Island States and the United States reached this week.
Rarotonga families sprout new skills at vegetable planting workshop
Thursday 28 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Families were delighted to take home a large number of pinapi (bok choy) seedling plants from the Ministry of Agriculture vegetable planting workshop initiated by the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA).
Atupare Marae welcomes new shelter, Maori King for ocean initiative
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Environment, National
Tui Dewes, Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, had the honour of opening the new Taupare for Atupare Marae, alongside the Minister for Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development, George “Maggie” Angene, last week.
Farmers divided over domestic consumption, export potentials
Tuesday 26 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Former Agriculture minister, Kiriau Turepu, sparked debate recently by suggesting that exporting produce should not be a priority for Cook Islands growers.
Preserving paradise: Cook Islands shares ra’ui knowledge in Hawai’i
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Environment, Features, Local, National
Representatives from the Cook Islands are participating in the University of Hawai’i Rāhui (Ra’ui) Workshop to learn more about traditional ra’ui management systems for marine resources.
Te Ipukarea Society: Flying high with a truly sustainable fishery
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
How many of you have tried the maroro tunutunu (grilled flying fish) available at various outlets around Rarotonga? This traditional Cook Islands treat, often eaten at breakfast time, is something everybody should try.
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.