Environment
'Solar mamas' return from school in India
Thursday 15 March 2018 | Published in Environment
The first Cook Islands first women to attend the Barefoot College in Rajastan, India, are coming home.
Ugly seaweed washes up in Muri lagoon
Tuesday 13 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Current weather conditions are promoting the growth of seaweed (algae) which appears to be in bloom again in Muri lagoon.
Breaking down confusion
Monday 12 March 2018 | Published in Environment
There is much confusion surrounding terms such as biodegradable and compostable, as well as bioplastic, bio-based, bio-polymer, etc.
MCI hopes to repeat 2017 success
Wednesday 7 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) registered 130 new vessels last year to grow its fleet by 3.6 per cent from 557 vessels at the end of 2016 to 577 in December, 2017.
Boat crew rescue injured turtle
Wednesday 7 March 2018 | Published in Environment
An endangered green sea turtle that lost a front flipper after becoming entangled in a mass of orange rope at sea has been safely released back into the ocean.
Just three at bill meeting
Tuesday 6 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
There was a poor turnout for the opening Marine Resources Bill 2017 public consultation at Sinai Hall in Avarua on Thursday last week.
How can we best protect Suwarrow?
Monday 5 March 2018 | Published in Environment
BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations (NGOs) that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, while working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. They are the largest and most influential bird conservation organisation in the world.
Businessman keen to see waste used
Monday 5 March 2018 | Published in Environment
Local business owner Brad Fraser is calling for the government and other business owners of Rarotonga to stand up and take responsibility for the island’s waste management.
Why we should stop drinking bottled water
Thursday 22 February 2018 | Published in Environment
It is estimated that one million plastic bottles are purchased around the world every minute. Less than half will ever make it to a recycling centre – and those that do can only be recycled once, as compared to glass which can be recycled over and over again.
Koutu Nui proposes ban on plastic bags
Thursday 22 February 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Koutu Nui, the group comprising traditional leaders of the Cook Islands, is working on a submission to ban the importation of plastic bags into the country.
Maritime Zones Act passed
Wednesday 21 February 2018 | Published in Environment
The Maritime Zones Act 2018 was passed by Parliament on Monday consolidating the legal boundaries of the Cook Islands’ almost two million square kilometres of ocean space into one Act.
Seaweed investigations continue
Monday 19 February 2018 | Published in Environment
The Ministry of Marine Resources’ science team has been conducting field work this month as part of the Mei Te Vai Ki Te Vai project investigating the prolific seaweed growth in Muri Lagoon.
Drones monitor lagoon seaweed
Wednesday 14 February 2018 | Published in Environment
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) has begun using drone technology to monitor seaweed in Rarotonga’s Muri lagoon.
Nikao beach gets rubbished yet again
Tuesday 13 February 2018 | Published in Environment
It only took a few days for Nikao beach to once again become littered with rubbish after a concerted cleanup effort by Air New Zealand staff and their families and friends last weekend.
Seabed minerals company to visit
Monday 12 February 2018 | Published in Environment
Representatives from United States-based company Ocean Minerals LLC (OML), which has an option on exploring the possibility of seabed mining in Cook Islands waters, are to visit Rarotonga next month.
Airline team cleans up
Wednesday 7 February 2018 | Published in Environment
More than 20 Air New Zealand staff members and their family and friends came together on Saturday to clean up Nikao Beach.
Low-cost garden fun to make
Tuesday 6 February 2018 | Published in Environment
A keyhole garden is a low cost home garden that is not only fun to make but very effective in producing a variety of yummy and nutritious vegetables.
Power authority investigates electric cars
Monday 5 February 2018 | Published in Environment
Rarotonga power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAU) has engaged a joint team from the University of Auckland (UOA) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to undertake a comprehensive study into the development of a future charging network to support electric vehicles (EVs) on Rarotonga.
A Plastic Ocean prompts calls for action
Monday 5 February 2018 | Published in Environment
Thursday night saw the screening of the impactful documentary A Plastic Ocean, which gave a glimpse into the damage that plastic is doing to the environment.
NZ academic to study here
Saturday 3 February 2018 | Published in Environment
An environmental sociology lecturer from New Zealand will be on Rarotonga later this month to conduct research on the environmental views and values of tourists in the Cook Islands.