Environment
Damage hot forum topic
Thursday 6 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Damage being caused to the country’s environment was a hot topic at a major tourism gathering yesterday.
Is it an oil slick?
Wednesday 5 February 2014 | Published in Environment
Beachgoers were treated to a stunning sight on Monday when a massive school of fish swarmed through the lagoon in front of Manuia Beach Resort in Arorangi.
Cooks presents concerns on seabed minerals work
Saturday 1 February 2014 | Published in Environment
A lack of resources and lack of capacity are the main obstacles for the Cooks in planning how to manage the environmental impact of deep sea minerals activity, according to a report on a workshop in Fiji.
Surveillance facilities inadequate: MMR
Monday 27 January 2014 | Published in Environment
Marine Resources secretary Ben Ponia says its current facilities in Avarua are hindering the ministry’s ability to monitor the nation’s waters for illicit fishing activity.
Tyre giveaway could shift problem
Saturday 25 January 2014 | Published in Environment
A landowner’s plan to give away hundreds of tyres to the public could just provide a place for mosquitoes to breed in people’s backyards, says the Ministry of Health.
Piles of pumice
Saturday 25 January 2014 | Published in Environment
Kiwi geologist Dr Dan Hikuroa was out walking in Muri with his daughters Brija, 8 and Georgia, 5, this week when they found piles of pumice along the shoreline.
Mangaia harbour construction work underway
Thursday 23 January 2014 | Published in Environment
Construction to improve Mangaia’s harbour – the main transportation hub for supplies and services to the island – is underway.
Rat eradication on Suwarrow looks promising
Saturday 18 January 2014 | Published in Environment
A rat eradication expedition in mid-2013 was aimed at eradicating the pest from the northern group island of Suwarrow – one of the more important bird islands in the Pacific Ocean.
NES asked to explain tree felling
Saturday 18 January 2014 | Published in Environment
The owners of a beachfront property in Rarotonga are asking for an explanation of why more than 20 trees were cut down on their land without them knowing.
Climate change to go mainstream in the Cooks
Wednesday 15 January 2014 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands is one of nine Pacific countries that have been assisted in efforts to get climate finance from international sources.
Rare whales beached on Mangaia
Friday 10 January 2014 | Published in Environment
Two mammals originally thought to be dolphins found washed up on the shores of Mangaia on Tuesday evening are now believed to be of the rare beaked whale species.
High demand for water tanks
Thursday 9 January 2014 | Published in Environment
Increased demand for water tanks saw suppliers temporarily run out of tanks last month.
Groups pose further questions on shark find
Monday 6 January 2014 | Published in Environment
Conservation groups say questions remain unanswered after the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) disclosed it did not prosecute a foreign flagged fishing vessel under national anti-shark fishing laws, after entering Cook Islands waters with shark carcasses aboard.
Solar deal labelled a poor investment
Friday 3 January 2014 | Published in Environment
Owners of large solar installations could save themselves up to $28,000 a year if Te Aponga lets them use the energy to offset their own power bills, according to a local solar expert.
Report out on coral reef health
Monday 30 December 2013 | Published in Environment
A draft report detailing the relatively high level of health of coral reefs within the Cook Islands Marine Park is being circulated for comment by research scientists.
Palmerston opposes purse seining
Saturday 28 December 2013 | Published in Environment
Citing concerns of overfishing, the outer island of Palmerston has come out strongly against any government plans to expand purse seine fishing in Cook Islands waters.
Purse seine consults: an account from Mauke
Saturday 28 December 2013 | Published in Environment
Mauke correspondent June Hosking recently attended a public consultation on purse seining conducted on the island by the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) and led by secretary Ben Ponia.
Environment staff asked to explain actions
Thursday 19 December 2013 | Published in Environment
Environment staff who gave permission to cut down more than a dozen trees on a beachfront property in Rarotonga are being asked to explain their actions. Contractors felled numerous old ironwood and coconut trees on a section in Vaimaanga two weeks ago, leaving only the stumps remaining. The land leaseholders were given approval from staff […]
Energy commissioner defends new solar deal
Wednesday 18 December 2013 | Published in Environment
Energy commissioner Roger de Bray says he agrees with the price being offered to home and business owners who sell solar-generated energy into the local grid. State-owned power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAU) announced a new deal last week designed to increase reliance on renewable energy in the Cook Islands. Anyone with a large solar […]
Solar deal lacks incentive, says expert
Tuesday 17 December 2013 | Published in Environment
A new deal designed to boost solar energy take-up in Rarotonga has been described as “hopeless” by a local renewable energy expert. State-owned power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAU) has announced that homes and businesses can now connect larger renewable energy systems to the grid and be paid a tariff for energy they supply. Anyone […]