Environment
Kīko’i the mysterious starling from Mauke
Saturday 6 November 2021 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society’s Bird of the Year Cook Islands competition has a mysterious new entry this year. An extinct bird you may have never heard of, the Kīko’i or Mauke Starling (Aplonis mavornata), writes Te Ipukarea Society.
Aitutaki’s Kuramo’o leads in Bird of the Year competition
Friday 5 November 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National
Te Ipukarea Society’s Bird of the Year competition gets close to reaching 10,000 total votes, already three times more votes than last year’s competition.
Govt body defends dredging works at Arutanga harbour
Friday 5 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
Any suggestion that work being undertaken at the Arutanga harbour in Aitutaki is being done without environmental approval, and contrary to the law, is incorrect, says Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
Dredging causes alarm in Aitutaki amid EIA stink
Thursday 4 November 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
Aitutaki residents are questioning the legality of dredging work in the harbour basin for the Aitutaki Arutanga Harbour Project that started some weeks ago.
Trash burning raises concern
Wednesday 3 November 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
Concerns over the burning of illegal and inorganic litter at the site of an automobile garage in Tupapa was raised with the Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES).
More money needed to prop up climate change costs
Thursday 28 October 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
The Attorney-General and the Minister for Economy and Minister responsible for Climate Change, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has virtually held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Mark Brown to discuss additional support that is to be provided in the Access to Climate Finance space ahead of the COP26 Summit.
Dead humpback washes up on Aitutaki reef
Thursday 28 October 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National
A humpback whale carcass without its head and tail was discovered on Aitutaki's reef, at Te Akauroa just above Honeymoon Island early last week by Air Rarotonga pilots.
Cook Islands marine biologist panelist in climate focused webinar
Thursday 21 October 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
A four-part webinar addressing and sharing many projects across the Pacific relating to the environment and climate change, and why future projects should receive funding and support will continue today, with Dr. Teina Rongo from Korero o te Orau being selected as one of the panelists.
$1.3 billion climate grant welcomed by PM Brown
Wednesday 20 October 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown says he has welcomed New Zealand’s announcement of $1.3 billion in climate-related aid funding.
Sludge could be dumped next to the Rarotonga landfill within two months
Wednesday 20 October 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Environment, National
The ongoing saga regarding the disposal of the by-product sludge from Rarotonga water intakes could be put to rest within months.
Privy Council to hear purse seine appeal
Tuesday 12 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Rarotonga resident William Framhein’s 2019 appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on Cook Islands government’s purse seine fishing agreement with the European Union will be heard on November 17.
Deploying FADs to attract fish
Saturday 9 October 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Fish is one of the healthiest foods on the planet, brimming with important nutrients such as protein, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids, but catching them economically, especially in Rarotonga, is proving a major challenge for local fishers. However there is solution and as senior journalist Melina Etches finds out, its not that easy.
NGOs snubbed in Seabed Minerals Licensing Panel
Monday 4 October 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
The non-inclusion of local non-government environmental and social expertise in the recently announced Seabed Minerals Licensing Panel ‘is an obvious gap’, says a local environment group.
‘From the hills to our reef’
Monday 20 September 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
A small meeting house in Ngatangiia hosted a group with a big vision – a community group that emphasises a self-help, proactive approach to village initiatives.
Rupe risk it for the biscuit
Saturday 18 September 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Opinion
Native to the Cook Islands and across the Pacific, the Rupe is found on most southern group islands including Palmerston, and Pukapuka and Manihiki in the north.
Cleaning up the world, one island at a time
Saturday 18 September 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
Helping hands all over Rarotonga gathered together yesterday to give the island a tidying up and participate in the global Clean Up the World Day.
Group seeks to draw attention to environmental concerns
Wednesday 15 September 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
A new community group that emphasises a self-help, proactive approach to village initiatives is focused on the people, land and sea of Ngatangiia and will be formalised today.
PM to do 'virtual' check in at climate conference
Wednesday 15 September 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark will not attend a climate change conference in Scotland later this year, instead hoping to contribute “virtually”.
Cooks join ‘Clean up the World Day’ campaign
Tuesday 14 September 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) is encouraging the public to get creative in their participation of this year’s ‘Clean up the World Day’ this Friday – whether that be through recycling, tree planting, or showing their support towards an environmental community project.
Avake assist with MMR lagoon health project
Wednesday 1 September 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Concerns had been raised from residents in Muri regarding cages holding sea urchins locally known as “avake” (Tripneustes gratilla) in Muri lagoon.
