Environment
‘Regrettable oversight’: NES stops new wastewater project
Monday 7 November 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service has issued a stop work notice on the new wastewater treatment system project undertaken by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation.
Eliminating ravenous coral killer
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, Local
Local divers go out to save Rarotonga’s reef from Taramea (crown of thorns starfish) on Thursday as part of CNN’s Call to Earth Day, journalist Caleb Fotheringham talks to some of them.
Global opposition for the rush to mine deep seabed is growing
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, Opinion
Most of us have heard that Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) has recently come out publicly in support of a conditional moratorium on deep sea mining (DSM) in international waters.
Fifteen officials representing Cooks at COP27 in Egypt
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, Environment, National
The Cook Islands has taken a delegation of 15 people to a major Climate Change Conference in Egypt, but is still remaining schtum on how much it is costing.
103 Taramea eradicated
Friday 4 November 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, Local
A combined effort saw 103 crown-of-thorns starfish eradicated in Rarotonga on Thursday as part of Operation Taramea.
Agencies combine efforts to eradicate crown-of-thorns starfish
Wednesday 2 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, Local
A combined effort to eradicate crown-of-thorns starfish in the Cook Islands will see multiple organisations converge on Avatiu in collaboration.
Climate change conference details sketchy as PM leads delegation to Egypt
Wednesday 2 November 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National, Politics
As Prime Minister Mark Brown leads a significantly-sized delegation to a climate conference in Egypt - specific details surrounding the trip are sketchy.
PM to lead Cook Islands delegation to COP27 summit
Tuesday 1 November 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Business, Environment, National, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown is heading up a Cook Islands delegation to Egypt this week, where leaders from around the world will be gathering for the 27th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).
Trust formed to eradicate pests on uninhabited atoll of Manuae
Friday 28 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
A new charitable trust with the ambition of turning the uninhabited atoll of Manuae into a pest-free sanctuary has just been established.
Cook Islands welcomes Korea’s climate change commitment
Friday 28 October 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Korea and Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers affirmed the importance of utilising existing regional mechanisms, including the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific, for cooperation and partnership.
Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority ‘concerned’ with New Zealand’s call for deep sea mining ban
Friday 28 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) will not back New Zealand’s call for conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.
Using technology to assist fisheries work, weather forecasting
Tuesday 25 October 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, Technology
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) and the Cook Islands Meteorological Service are working together to employ state-of-the art technology to further their understanding of fisheries and assist with forecasting the weather.
Rain brings little relief to Raro’s drying intakes
Monday 24 October 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Weather
Over the weekend the heavens opened and down came the rain, filling the catchment intakes, increasing water pressure in households and bringing much needed relief to the dire water shortage the island has been experiencing. But more rain is needed to replenish the drying intakes.
Tourist raises litter concerns following Rarotonga visit
Monday 24 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, Local
A tourist who has been coming to Rarotonga since 2000 says she doesn’t want the island to have a reputation of being dirty after her latest trip.
Operators being sought to manage new recycling model
Friday 21 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Environment, National
There looks set to be a financial spinoff as Cook Islands prepares to tighten the reins on plastic use. Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) is calling on interest from depot operators and logistics services in an effort to manage recyclables and end of life products.
Turtle tour guidelines ‘not enough’, says environment group
Thursday 20 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
New guidelines for turtle tours in Rarotonga from Cook Islands Tourism have been released to Cook Islands News, but an environmental advocacy group says more needs to be done.
Environment Service proposes ‘instant fines’ to curb littering
Monday 17 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National
National Environment Service boss says rubbish on the beach is a ‘significant problem’ in the Cook Islands following a long-term Rarotonga tourist taking to social media to complain about litter. Caleb Fotheringham reports.
Plastic bans set to be imposed in 2023
Saturday 15 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands will tighten the reins on plastic use with a proposal to go before Cabinet this month.
Deep sea dilemma: Cooks, NZ discuss their stance on mining issue
Friday 14 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says his government’s stance on deep sea mining might end up in a ‘different vaka’ to New Zealand.
Plastics on the way out as new legislation on the way in
Tuesday 11 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands will tighten the reins on plastic use but questions remain on when and how.
