Environment
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
Te Aponga launches new solar opportunities
Monday 16 December 2013 | Published in Environment
Homes and businesses are now able to connect much larger solar systems to the grid in Rarotonga and be paid a tariff for any energy they supply. State-owned power authority Te Aponga Uira (TAU) announced on Friday that it has made “extensive investment” in new technology at its power station. Until now, there have been […]
Wear green to support the environment - NES
Friday 13 December 2013 | Published in Environment
The National Environment Service together with CITC is conducting a ‘Go Green Day’ today, where the public is asked to wear green to show their support for the environment. The Green Day initiative is being carried out by the NES education unit and co-ordinated by senior education officer Matthew Rima. “The Green Day initiative is […]
Tuna Commission eyes conservation
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Environment
The Western Central Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is seeking to adopt its most significant conservation and management measure for tropical tunas as a means to control purse seine fishing at its annual session currently being held in Cairns. In attendance at the meet for the Cooks delegation are secretary Ben Ponia and senior fisheries officer Andrew […]
Cook Islands fishing bid resisted
Tuesday 10 December 2013 | Published in Environment
The Cook Islands delegation has withdrawn a watered-down response to its proposal at the annual meeting of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to ban longline fishing in the eastern high seas pocket. The proposal is significant because it would create the first area to be closed to longlining on the high seas. Distant […]
'Rookie' enjoys Warsaw climate negotiations
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Environment
Amelia Fukofuka describes herself as a newbie to the UN climate negotiations in her story below. She is attending the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention to Climate Change for the first time, however, she has attended an ‘intercessional’ meeting which are talks that take place during the year. Fortunately […]
CI cyclone doco to screen in Fiji
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Environment
A Cook Islands documentary named ‘Surviving a Cyclone’ will be screened at the University of the South Pacific headquarters in Fiji this week. Produced by David Ngatae, it has been entered into this year European Consortium for Pacific Studies (ECOPAS) First Conference film festival evening at USP in Suva. The ECOPAS conference will focus on […]
CI 'eco-warriors' receive international recognition
Thursday 5 December 2013 | Published in Environment
Two Cook Islands ‘eco-warriors’ have been honoured on the international stage for their tireless efforts to protect the ocean and environment. Ian Karika has been awarded the inaugural Pacific Islands Environmental Leadership Award for excellence in national leadership in environmental sustainability and conservation. Meanwhile, Dr Takiora Ingram was one of eight women from Oceania to […]