Environment
$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.
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.
