Environment
Te Ipukarea Society: International pressure building against the rush to mine the deep sea
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Last week, representatives from 133 member states of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) met in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from February 12-17, to discuss measures to protect migratory species on a global scale. The Cook Islands is one of these member states.
Te Ipukarea Society: Tackling waste management challenges
Saturday 17 February 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Summer intern Itirangi Pennycook recently caught up with the Director of Waste Management for Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Claytoncy Taurarii, to get an update on our current waste situation.
Crackdown on water wasters
Friday 16 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Local, National
The Rarotonga water agency has disconnected supply to ‘unoccupied’ properties on the island for water misuse, urging residents to conserve water.
‘Stick to politics’: Te Ipukarea Society slams Peters’ deep sea mining comments
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Environment, National, Politics
Cook Islands environmental organisation Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) has slammed comments made by New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters about deep sea mining.
Legacy waste project comes with $700,000 price tag
Monday 12 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
A two-year project to clean up legacy waste across Rarotonga has cost taxpayers more than $700,000.
Lagoon resort causeway still under investigation
Monday 12 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
National Environment Service staffers appear to be taking their time in delivering an assessment on a temporary causeway at the redevelopment of upmarket Lagoon Private Island Resort on Aitutaki.
Te Ipukarea Society: Understanding our stream health through invertebrates
Saturday 10 February 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Last week in our Te Ipukarea Society article, we touched on some of the water quality monitoring that can be done in our streams to help determine if they are healthy or not.
Bolstering national capabilities within private sector in addressing climate change challenges
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Local, National
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management’s Development Coordination Division and Chamber of Commerce have joined forces for climate action under the Green Climate Fund readiness and preparatory support programme.
Te Ipukarea Society: Keeping our waterways in check
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Monitoring the quality of our stream water is a useful way to inform us whether some of our land use practices are impacting the health of our freshwater stream ecosystems and eventually our lagoon.
Maungaroa Valley inches closer to UNESCO world heritage status
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Environment, Features, Local, National, Weekend
The Maungaroa Valley in the Cook Islands is one step closer to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising its cultural significance and prompting calls for wider protection of cultural and natural heritage sites in the region.
Heatwave to last until April, says weather office
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National, Weather
Cook Islands is expected to experience temperatures close to 30 degrees Celsius until April, according to the Meteorological Service.
37 complaints spark environmental action
Tuesday 30 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) received 37 complaints between 2022 and 2023 regarding environmental concerns, according to their annual report for the year ending June 30, 2023.
Te Ipukarea Society: Climate change heroes of the deep sea
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Deep seabed mining in Cook Islands could disrupt the ecosystem and harm deep sea creatures like the acorn worm, which plays a vital role in the carbon cycle.
Environment agency approves plan to remove grounded ship
Saturday 27 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
The National Environment Service (NES) has completed its environmental assessment for removing the stranded vessel MV Grinna from the Manihiki reef after multiple failed attempts.
Public input sought on coastal protection projects
Friday 26 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) has received three new Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) permit applications for public consultation.
Te Ipukarea Society: Discovering the world of Hawksbill turtles: Fun facts and conservation insights
Saturday 20 January 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
In our aqua blue waters, we are fortunate enough to be graced with the presence of the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle, or Onu Taratara. This week, let’s dive into some fascinating facts about these incredible creatures, shedding light on their lives and the challenges they face.
People are not cooperating: To Tatou Vai
Wednesday 17 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Health, Local, National
Water levels in the Rarotonga catchments have quickly fallen again as the island hopes for more rain.
Who cares about locals?: Muri residents upset over delayed whale removal
Tuesday 16 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Local residents in Muri have been concerned at the delay in the disposal of a whale carcass which was brought ashore last Friday morning.
Te Ipukarea Society: A healthy ocean, more than just a passing FAD
Saturday 13 January 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
In today’s column, we aim to shed light on the use of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) in tuna purse seine fishing, emphasising the ongoing environmental impact.
Cooks academics lead the way in climate research
Wednesday 10 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Environment, National
Two Cook Islanders are at the helm of new Pacific research into population dynamics of the Pacific - home to a population of 13 million – projected to become 20 million by 2050.
