Environment
Jean Mason: To know our trees is to save them
Saturday 23 May 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment
Cook Islands Library and Museum curator Jean Mason is passionate about the conservation of trees. She believes that if we can identify trees, especially tupuna trees, they can be pruned to make sure they live on for hundreds of years.
Kelvin Passfield: Seaweed is a good local fertiliser
Saturday 23 May 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment
OPINION: Fertilise your organic vegetables and help clean up the coastline at the same time.
Getting ready for her journey home
Wednesday 20 May 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment
Musician Kura Happ was amongst Ponu the turtle’s many supporters at the Marine and Wildlife Eco Centre on Monday to witness her flippers being tagged.
Kelvin Passfield : How to survive a pandemic
Saturday 16 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: Well it is now looking very much like we have come through the Covid-19 pandemic relatively unscathed, apart from the ongoing economic fall-out of course.
Our dirty harbours
Wednesday 13 May 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment
Volunteers have collected nearly a quarter-tonne of garbage from Avarua harbour.
Conservation calls branch out
Tuesday 12 May 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Environment
There is new opposition to big, old trees being cut down or pruned so brutally that they die.
Alanna Smith : First, catch your Red wrigglers …
Saturday 9 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: The interest in home gardening has taken off around the island thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture’s recent home gardening packages.
Ani O'Neill: Our little island must quit smoking
Saturday 2 May 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: Personally, I am so over burning. This week has been especially bad in our village, as we prepared for tutaka by cleaning our homes and surroundings to help stop the dengue outbreak in Rarotonga.
Cleaning up while reducing waste
Monday 27 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
A local company selling eco-friendly cleaning products has started an initiative to minimise plastic waste being sent to the Arorangi landfill.
Kelvin Passfield: Reef fish toxin affects animals too
Friday 24 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: The marine organism that is poisoning people and animals flourishes in areas impacted by cyclones, reef-blasting, or even ship wrecks, writes Kelvin Passfield from Te Ipukarea Society.
Delays to bold plans for gluten-free kuru flour
Tuesday 21 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment
Covid-19 lockdowns have stymied plans to mill gluten-free breadfruit flour for local bakers and for export.
Cook Islands waste worsens in Covid-19 slowdown
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Environment
Overseas, the Covid-19 economic slowdown and home lockdowns have enabled the most sudden and dramatic improvement in environmental measures like air and water pollution in modern history. But not in Cook Islands.
Alanna Smith: The key to making home gardens fun
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: Te Ipukarea Society has been making the most of the agriculture ministry’s support package by planting new life in the office’s keyhole garden, writes member Alanna Smith.
Kate McKessar: Discovering your inner self-isolation bird identity
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: The birds of Cook Islands appear to have developed some interesting self-isolation characteristics during the Covid-19 Code Yellow phase, writes Kate McKessar of Te Ipukarea Society. Which do you resemble?
Return to the blue lagoon
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment
There’s an unexpected casualty of the Covid-19 travel ban: Ponu the miracle turtle is stranded too. Ponu the turtle will not be released until the Covid-19 pandemic measures in Rarotonga have ended.
Alanna Smith: An interview with a dedicated beachcomber
Saturday 28 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: This interview was conducted with a wandering tattler, also known locally as a kuriri. Te Ipukarea Society's Alanna Smith bumped into this beachcomber last week, holidaying on Motu Taakoka. He was about to depart for Alaska, oblivious to the current Covid-19 concerns and the havoc this was causing.
Te Ipukarea Society : Takeaway coffee cups – at your disposal
Saturday 14 March 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: Let’s be clear, there is no scientific evidence linking the use of reusable cups to coronavirus.
Te Ipukarea Society: The burning question about plastics
Saturday 29 February 2020 | Written by Legacy Author | Published in Environment
OPINION: Despite all the concerns raised around burning plastics it still continues today within our community. The heated debate of whether or not to burn plastics generates mixed views here on Rarotonga.
Miracle turtle: Shell be right
Wednesday 26 February 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Environment
Against all odds, an orphaned green sea turtle is exploring the lagoon and nearly ready to return to the open sea.
Andrea George: New intern gets engrossed in 'gross stuff'
Saturday 22 February 2020 | Published in Environment
OPINION: As Te Ipukarea Society’s newest intern, I get the chance to take part in a number of conservation efforts.
