Environment
Team unearths island's ancient first 'back road'
Saturday 23 June 2018 | Published in Environment
A team of archaeologists from the United Kingdom currently visiting Rarotonga have discovered the historical Ara Nui o Toi or Ara Metua, otherwise known as the back road.
NES warns of fire fume danger
Thursday 21 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Toxic smells still coming from the burned-out shell of the Friendly Mart store have prompted a warning from the National Environment Service for people to keep away from the Arorangi building.
Joint effort to keep Rarotonga clean
Thursday 21 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Leading into Te Maeva Nui and the expected arrival of 2000 extra people on Rarotonga, the National Environment Service, Te Aponga Uira and local schools have banded together in a community-minded waste initiative that will make a real difference to the island environment.
New fishing boat boosts Matavera club
Thursday 21 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Tuesday June 19 was a special day for the Matavera Fishing Club Association – it marked the blessing of the organisation’s new fishing boat “Rangiatea 2”, funded by the India Grant Fund programme.
MMR launches aquatic biosecurity strategy
Wednesday 20 June 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) yesterday launched the Cook Islands National Aquatic Biosecurity Strategy, which will serve as a roadmap for setting national standards for imports, exports and for the health management of aquatic species.
Akaoa land still used for rubbish
Tuesday 19 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Two months after the National Environment Service has ordered the owner of an Akaoa property to stop dumping and stockpiling waste on a large area of land near the back road, rubbish is still accumulating there.
Whale washes up in lagoon
Monday 18 June 2018 | Published in Environment
The body of a five metre-long Cuvier’s beaked whale which washed ashore in the lagoon off Vaimaanga late yesterday morning attracted a small crowd of curious onlookers as it was cut up for later examination.
Revealing mysteries of ancient road
Thursday 14 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Archaeologists working on a study of the centuries-old Ara Nui o Toi or Ara Metua (known to locals as “the back road”) have received funding to continue the project for another three years.
Lack of progress on seabed minerals, says Maoate
Wednesday 13 June 2018 | Published in Environment
The financial regime to operate and protect all revenue made from seabed minerals on behalf of the Cook Islands people should have been completed years ago to follow the Seabed Minerals Act 2009, says former seabed minerals committee chairman, Terepai Maoate.
New water ring main goes 'live'
Wednesday 13 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Providing a reliable and safe supply of water for the people of Rarotonga is the single biggest benefit of the Te Mato Vai project, which is flowing into reality with the new ring main and connections to businesses and residential properties now “live”.
Beach rubbish survey 'back to square one'
Wednesday 13 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Week six of the Solid Waste Management committee has brought disappointing results, with a WATSAN spokesperson commenting that long weekends seem to bring out the worst in people.
Biosecurity head attends Rome meeting
Saturday 9 June 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Director of Biosecurity Service Ngatoko Ta Ngatoko represented the Cook Islands and the South West Pacific countries at the second Implementation and Capacity (IC) Development Committee meeting in Italy late last month.
Oceans Day gives timely reminders
Saturday 9 June 2018 | Published in Environment
This weekly column is provided by Te Ipukarea Society. It deals with conservation and environmental matters of interest to the Cook Islands.
Better shipping than solar, says researcher
Thursday 7 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Pacific maritime researcher Dr Peter Nuttall says more aid money should be put towards sustainable shipping in the region.
Careers in the seabed minerals sector
Wednesday 6 June 2018 | Published in Environment
As part of its community outreach programme, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) presented a career-focused talk to Nukutere College students recently.
Suwarrow is for the birds
Wednesday 6 June 2018 | Published in Environment
The team from Te Ipukarea Society has recently reported in by satellite phone from Suwarrow, where they are hard at work in a very labour-intensive exercise to eradicate the island’s rats once and for all.
MMR investigating fishing inside closed area
Wednesday 6 June 2018 | Published in Environment
Fisheries officers from the Ministry of Marine Resources are investigating serious alleged breaches of the Marine Resources Act by a Cook Islands-flagged vessel fishing in the deep-sea area of the Indian Ocean.
NES expo marks environment week
Tuesday 5 June 2018 | Published in Environment
The National Environment Service (NES) and their environment partners are marking this week’s worldwide National Environment Week, which incorporates World Environment Day on June 5 and World Oceans Day on June 8, with an Environment Expo to be held at Maire Nui Park.
Visitor airs lagoon concerns
Tuesday 5 June 2018 | Published in Environment
It is disappointing to visit Rarotonga and see even more development along an already-overburdened coastline, says environmentalist June Hosking.
A walk through island's ancient
Saturday 2 June 2018 | Published in Environment
This weekly column is supplied by Te Ipukarea Society. It deals with conservation and environmental issues of interest to the public.
