Environment
Reports of ‘overcrowding’ as turtle tour guidelines still pending following delays
Thursday 30 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Turtle tour operators are worried about overcrowding as the Ministry of Marine Resources is still in the final stages of signing off guidelines.
Cook Islands chairing regional conference on sea level rise
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands High Commissioner to Fiji Jim Armistead is chairing a Pacific Islands Forum conference gathering of top global minds on international law in Fiji this week, putting the spotlight on sea level rise as it implicates statehood and persons.
Rarotonga farmers battle over potential sludge trial
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
A meeting to discuss potential use of sludge from the new water treatment system came to an abrupt halt yesterday afternoon when tempers erupted between farmers who opposed and supported the idea.
Induction training for Aitutaki Environment Authority members
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Education, Environment, National, Outer Islands
Roselyn Strickland, National Environment Service (NES) environment legal counsel, and Benjamin Maxwell, NES senior environmental compliance, both of Aitutakian descent, delivered the board induction training to the Aitutaki Environment Authority (AEA) members following the issuing of their warrants by the Minister of Environment.
Mauke Environment Authority ready to tackle issues
Tuesday 21 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
Tekura Moeka’a, NES Manager of Environmental Policy & Planning, and Junior Tapoki, NES Senior Environmental Compliance, both of Maukean descent, travelled to Mauke to deliver two significant milestones for environmental leadership in Mauke – issuing of the warrants for the Mauke Environment Authority (MEA) board members and signing of MOU with the Mauke Island Government.
Public submissions open for major town project
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
The Panama beautification and Punanga Nui Market re-organisation project is gaining momentum with the National Environment Service yesterday announcing an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) permit application for public scrutiny.
Is the fate of our deep sea environment in the hands of the mining companies?
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
For some, the issue of seabed mining is not yet on their radar. For others, it’s a topic that’s too technical to understand so their interest drifts elsewhere. There are those who have already been convinced mining is the way to go. Then there are others who don’t want mining to ever go ahead. The truth is we simply do not know enough to make that decision.
PM issues new warrants to members of Marae Moana Technical Advisory Group
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has issued new warrants to eight representatives for the Marae Moana Technical Advisory Group.
Mitiaro Fan Palm Iniao making a come back
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National
A simple search in the Cook Islands Biodiversity database shows the Cook Islands has 16 different types of Palms, with the majority being introduced for ornamental purposes. Two of the 16 have been identified as native. These are the common coconut palm, and the other, once thought to only be found on Mitiaro, the Mitiaro Fan Palm Pritchardia mitiaroana,locally known as the Iniao.
New growth recorded for endemic Mitiaro species – Iniao
Friday 3 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
A survey recently conducted in Mitiaro has identified new growth of endemic species, Mitiaro fan palm.
Report finds operation of sludge system ‘compliant’
Tuesday 28 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, Local, National
A report into the operation of the sludge drying beds managed by the To Tatou Vai water authority has found them compliant.
Exploring our reef ecosystem
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
We at Te Ipukarea Society are always interested in learning what we might discover whilst out in the field investigating various ecosystems, writes Itirangi Pennycook.
‘Sludge’ concern
Saturday 25 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
An environmental advocacy group is calling for better oversight of the Cook Islands’ water supply, after concerns about alleged sludge pollution in streams from the drinking water project Te Mato Vai.
Research ship arrives in Cooks to explore seabed
Tuesday 21 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Business, Environment, Local, National
The impressive scientific equipped seabed explorer vessel Anuanua Moana ship docked at Avatiu Harbour yesterday morning, having started her maiden journey to the Cook Islands from Amsterdam, Netherlands in August 2022.
Making a global ocean impact
Saturday 18 February 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress held in Vancouver Canada has provided an important global networking opportunity for nations to learn from one another about the challenges and success stories that come with establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). In addition, an important theme for this year’s congress has been a focus on indigenous leadership in ocean conservation.
Environment Service invests in staff to develop technical capacity
Friday 17 February 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National
National Environment Service (NES) has successfully enrolled three senior staff to take up online studies with the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Muri restoration efforts backed by United Nations
Friday 17 February 2023 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Environment, Local, National
A United Nations official is throwing her weight behind the conservation efforts of a group dedicated to restoring Muri Lagoon, offering to support them in applying for funding beyond the US$50,000 (NZ$80,367) the global organisation has previously pledged to the group.
United Nations praises Muri restoration efforts
Thursday 16 February 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, Local, National
Restoration ecologist Brennan Panzarella, pictured far right, speaks about the Muri Environment Care group’s restoration efforts with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme and other stakeholders on Wednesday afternoon.
Amplifying the voice of indigenous women in science
Tuesday 14 February 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Climate Change Cook Islands celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science, on February 11, 2023, acknowledging the indigenous women who are key members of the team, key partners and have contributed to the organisation over the past few years.
E Tu’a Pukuruvaa Nui – Sharing ideas amongst one another
Saturday 11 February 2023 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
A two-day tourism conference was held at Tamanu Beach Resort on Tuesday and Wednesday this past week. Participants included tour operators, accommodators, retailers, Members of Parliament, Aronga Mana reps and the mayor and island council representatives of Aitutaki.
