Environment
‘Dark oxygen’ discovery sparks call for independent seabed mining research
Monday 29 July 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
The recent discovery of oxygen production by deep-sea nodules has intensified concerns over the potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining in the Cook Islands.
Te Ipukarea Society: Youth keeping an eye over nature
Saturday 27 July 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This past week, a group of our youth came together to participate in the Mata Natura Youth Programme.
Search called off for missing crew member of Lady Moana
Wednesday 24 July 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands
Cook Islands Police are expected to finalise their investigations into the missing crew member of the inter-island vessel Lady Moana and submit their report to the coroner.
PM Brown to lead Pacific effort to find peace in New Caledonia
Wednesday 24 July 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will be part of a high-level delegation to New Caledonia to help resolve the political crisis facing the French territory since May this year.
Growers receive training in plant health
Tuesday 23 July 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Local, National
Local growers gathered at a Plant Health Clinic on Friday last week, designed to offer expert diagnosis and management of weeds, insects and diseases.
Public awareness and cleaning efforts lead to successful start of Tutaka campaign
Tuesday 23 July 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Health, National
Te Marae Ora (TMO) Ministry of Health officials are out and about doing inspections for the Tutaka campaign and after inspecting 60 homes on Monday morning, they only came across two wreckages which is a big improvement compared to the previous years.
PM Brown: Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge not a breach of Rarotonga Treaty
Monday 22 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum chairman Mark Brown says Japan’s discharge of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean does not violate the Rarotonga Treaty.
Construction company faces fines after cutting trees without consent
Saturday 20 July 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
A recent cutting down of several ironwood (toa) trees at the Fruits of Rarotonga waterfront is in breach of the Environment Act 2003, says the Cook Islands environment agency.
Te Ipukarea Society: Protecting the Ī’oi: Conservation research and volunteer opportunities
Saturday 20 July 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The Ī’oi, or Rarotonga starling, has been getting some much-needed attention. Only found in the forests of Rarotonga, the Ī’oi is often hidden out of sight and doesn’t draw much attention with its smokey dark plumage blending into the dark tree canopy.
Public backs proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund
Saturday 20 July 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands is establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to secure the nation’s financial future potentially funded by revenue from future seabed mining.
Water petition gains momentum, organising committee meets House of Ariki
Thursday 18 July 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
The petition opposing the planned water tariffs in Rarotonga is gaining momentum with over 1500 signatures so far including support from the Pa Enua and Cook Islanders residing overseas.
Public input sought on Sovereign Wealth Fund
Wednesday 17 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National, Technology
Public consultations on establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund, “a long-term savings account for future generations of the Cook Islands”, begin this evening at 6pm in Vaka Takitumu at the Matavera CICC Sunday School Hall.
Training aims to combat plant pests
Tuesday 16 July 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Local, National
The Plant Health Clinic Training, held for the first time at the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to enhance the skills of the ministry’s extension officers and identify potential plant threats to bolster Cook Islands’ farming sector.
Te Ipukarea Society: Govt ‘prioritises profit’ over environment in seabed mining push
Saturday 13 July 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The governments of the Cook Islands and Hawai’i recently reached a historic sister-city agreement between Honolulu and Avarua, Rarotonga. However, it would appear that the sisters do not see eye to eye when it comes to deep seabed mining.
Rarotonga growers fear financial strain from incoming water charges
Saturday 13 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
Rarotonga growers have expressed deep concerns over the upcoming water tariffs, fearing significant financial strain and potential business closures.
Survey aims to capture Cook Islands’ conservation concerns
Thursday 11 July 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
Te Tu’anga Taporoporo (National Environment Service) and the University of Newcastle, Australia, will conduct “voluntary” interviews this Friday with households on the island to better understand local perspectives on biodiversity conservation and development.
Over 10,000 taramea removed, Government urged to step in
Wednesday 10 July 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National
After managing to remove over 10,000 taramea or crown-of-thorns starfish from Rarotonga reef, Rarotonga-based NGO Kōrero o te 'Ōrau believes the government should now step in to further protect the reef.
Cook Islands organics group challenges incoming water tariffs, calls for meeting
Wednesday 10 July 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, Health, Local, National
Natura Kuki Airani, the Cook Islands organics movement, is holding a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture this Friday to raise their concerns about the incoming water tariffs.
Te Ipukarea Society: Muri shoreline saviours scoop up 52 bags of rubbish
Saturday 6 July 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The 6th annual Muri Lagoon Beach Cleanup took place last Saturday, marking another successful year for this fantastic community event.
NES seeks expert to bolster coastal protections for Rarotonga, Aitutaki
Thursday 4 July 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Local, National
The National Environment Service (NES) is looking at boosting the protection for the coastal areas of Rarotonga and Autitaki in a bid to address current and future risks and concerns.
