Environment
Plastic bag money going to recycling
Tuesday 15 July 2014 | Published in Environment
Shoppers will be charged 10 cents for every plastic bag they take home from Cook Islands Trading Corporation stores, starting this Thursday.
Reusable nappies onto third child
Monday 14 July 2014 | Published in Environment
The mother and baby who featured in Lagoon Day’s reusable nappy infomercial is visiting again, two years on – and with another gorgeous baby to hug.
Pair aim to make solar affordable
Saturday 12 July 2014 | Published in Environment
A new player has emerged in the local solar energy market, offering “self-funding” packages designed to be more affordable for everyday Cook Islanders.
No shortage of complaints to NES
Thursday 3 July 2014 | Published in Environment
Nearly 70 complaints about unfavourable activity have been made to the National Environment Service since the start of last year.
Land agreement for solar farm
Tuesday 1 July 2014 | Published in Environment
Landowners in Palmerston are expected to sign an agreement this week allowing the building of a solar farm on the atoll in a few months’ time.
Total ban on FADs needed, says TIS
Tuesday 1 July 2014 | Published in Environment
A total ban of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) is needed to make purse seining “sustainable”, according to Te Ipukarea Society.
Drilling in search of water
Friday 27 June 2014 | Published in Environment
An investigation into groundwater resources continued yesterday with the drilling of a site in Arorangi by a New Zealand based engineering firm.
Environment organisation wants more youth
Monday 23 June 2014 | Published in Environment
Getting more young people on board will be a focus for Te Ipukarea Society in the coming year, following its Annual General Meeting this month.
Arorangi fruit fly outbreak under control
Saturday 21 June 2014 | Published in Environment
Around 200 oriental fruit fly traps in Rarotonga will continue to be checked regularly, although no flies have been caught since mid-May.
Venomous spiders a different species
Saturday 21 June 2014 | Published in Environment
Venomous spiders found in Rarotonga have turned out apparently to be brown widow spiders – and not their more deadly cousins the black widow.
Cooks to learn from seabed mining refusal
Saturday 21 June 2014 | Published in Environment
Refusal of consent for what would have been the first seabed mining project in New Zealand may have both positive and negative implications for the Cook Islands seabed minerals plans.
'Very small chance' spiders have spread to Pa Enua
Wednesday 18 June 2014 | Published in Environment
Mayors in the outer islands have been told there is a “very small” chance the black widow spider may have hitched a ride to their islands from Rarotonga.
Trip north paves the way for solar project
Thursday 12 June 2014 | Published in Environment
A reconnaissance trip to the northern group has given contractors the chance to meet the very people who will benefit from a new solar energy project.
Black widow: Overseas expert offers advice
Monday 9 June 2014 | Published in Environment
A biosecurity specialist from Australia says it might be a good idea for the Cook Islands to start spraying every shipping container which arrives from America and Australia.
Northern solar work ready to go
Friday 6 June 2014 | Published in Environment
A major contract to design and build solar-powered hybrid energy systems on all six atolls in the Northern Group has been awarded to New Zealand company PowerSmart.
Venomous spider on the move
Thursday 5 June 2014 | Published in Environment
Another group of black widow spider cocoons has been discovered in a building near Rarotonga Airport, indicating the venomous spider has been on the move.
Shark fin find 'a local matter'
Wednesday 4 June 2014 | Published in Environment
Any pursuit of fines or punitive action against a Chinese fishing vessel found with shark fins in Cook Islands waters should be dealt with according to domestic laws, says an official with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
Spider found away from warehouse
Saturday 31 May 2014 | Published in Environment
Biosecurity officers have found a black widow spider several hundred metres from where the first spiders and cocoons were discovered.
Ministry hunts for black widow spider
Tuesday 27 May 2014 | Published in Environment
The Ministry of Agriculture is trying to work out when and how venomous black widow spiders managed to enter the Cook Islands without being detected.
Deadly spiders could be widespread
Saturday 24 May 2014 | Published in Environment
Venomous black widow spiders and more than 40 cocoons containing at least 200 spider-lings have been found at Rarotonga airport.
