Environment
Piho’s turtle photo captures nature prize at Tokyo International Foto Awards
Tuesday 9 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Entertainment, Environment, Features, Local, National
Cook Islands photographer Charlotte Piho has reached another peak in her career, capturing first place in the Tokyo International Foto Awards 2023 for the Nature-Underwater category.
Staycations on offer during quiet period for large operators
Tuesday 9 January 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, Features, Go Local, National, Tourism
Staycation offers are assisting visitor accommodation providers to get through the quiet months on Rarotonga.
Te Ipukarea Society: Turtle watch party - Community photos reveal surprising local movements
Saturday 6 January 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Sea turtles are migratory species commonly seen across the Pacific and within the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands to the world : Nations will ‘disappear’ without action on climate change
Saturday 30 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
Climate change activists from around the world are itching to team up with a Cook Islands film crew to raise awareness about the global crisis after a music video about its impact on the Pacific debuted at a United Nations conference. Joanne Holden reports.
Te Ipukarea Society : My turn as an intern: Discovering passion for the environment at Te Ipukarea Society
Saturday 30 December 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This week’s Te Ipukarea Society article is written by Dreena Teapa, the recipient of the Dame Margaret Karika Memorial Fellowship in 2023 for topping the Year 12 biology at Tereora College. She would however like it noted that she did not come up with the title!
Rarotonga resort curbs water use amid concerns, eyes groundwater
Friday 29 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
Following concerns about water refilling at some resorts, a Rarotonga property says it has taken measures to reduce usage during the ongoing dry spell.
Mangaia comes under Enviro Act
Friday 29 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
The island of Mangaia has come under the Environment Act for the first time, following approval from the Cook Islands Cabinet and Executive Council.
Aitutaki Harbour Project: Environmental watchdog still lacks expertise for monitoring
Friday 29 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
With the Arutanga Harbour Project now in its second phase, concerns regarding environmental impact from dredging remain, as the National Environment Service (NES) still lacks the necessary technical expertise for effective monitoring. Rashneel Kumar reports.
Tourism seeks ‘smaller’ cruise liners to beat weather and infrastructure hurdle
Thursday 28 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Tourism, Weather
The overreliance on favourable weather conditions significantly hinders Cook Islands Tourism’s ability to further develop the cruise market, says the corporation’s director of destination development Brad Kirner.
Rarotonga to ship 90,000kg of legacy waste to NZ in record cleanup
Thursday 28 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Over 90,000 kilograms of waste stored in 29 containers, comprising both 20-foot and 40-foot units, are ready to be shipped off to New Zealand.
Resorts face scrutiny over pool refills as water crisis deepens
Thursday 28 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
The Cook Islands tourism industry is facing calls to conserve water amidst reports of some resorts refilling their pools.
Te Ipukarea Society: Creative ways to reduce waste this Christmas in the Cook Islands
Sunday 24 December 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
It is that time of the year again, the season of gift-giving and yummy kaikais. Together with all the fun and good times spent with family, opening presents and eating more than usual, there will also be an enormous amount of rubbish generated.
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands concludes public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource extraction. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
From flycatchers to forests : How the Cook Islands are championing nature
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend
Home to the Rarotonga flycatcher, Cook Islands fruit-dove and coconut crab, the 15 South Pacific islands that comprise the nation have a rich natural heritage. Around 60 per cent of the nation’s land is still covered by tropical forest, and its lagoons and seas have an abundance of diverse marine life.
Te Ipukarea Society: Deep seabed mining and the emerging risk to our tuna fisheries
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Last week saw the Cook Islands host one of the most significant meetings with respect to the shared tuna stocks in the region.
WCPFC20 ends with mixed results
Tuesday 12 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Hosts Cook Islands expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the 20th Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC20), which concluded over the weekend.
Turtle trio release draws crowd
Monday 11 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Local, National
Hundreds of people waded through the knee-high water at the entrance of Avaavarua Passage in Rarotonga to accompany a trio of rescue turtles on the first leg of their release into the wild.
Te Ipukarea Society 2023 highlights: Local engagement and international impact
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
2023 has been a jam-packed year, with lots of local engagement, off island expeditions, and everyday work.
Shell-abration time: Rescued turtles ready to dive back into the wild
Saturday 9 December 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, National
Three green sea turtles which were surrendered to a Rarotonga eco-centre after failing to thrive while being kept as pets, have had their shells engraved in preparation for their release into the wild.
‘Overcrowding and sustainability’ fears cloud turtle tourism industry
Thursday 7 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
A revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cook Islands turtle tour operators and the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation has been proposed as the new guidelines for operations in the Avaavaroa Passage.
