Environment
Asbestos removal project nears completion, disposal pending
Friday 19 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
A $400,000 project to remove asbestos from a government building in Avarua is nearing completion, but there is no decision yet on how to dispose of the harmful fibres.
Spy film type thing: Alarm grows over Cook Islands cryptocurrency bill
Monday 15 April 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Technology
Alarm is growing over proposed Cook Islands legislation, drafted by a US-based company, which could validate hacking into any account or system in the world, writes Barbara Dreaver, Pacific Correspondent 1News.
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
Monday 15 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands, Technology
Repairs to the solar power system in the northern group islands could take up to a year and residents need to conserve their power useage, says the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
Te Ipukarea Society: Who wants to be a plastic Maori?
Saturday 13 April 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
For the past six weeks, Te Ipukarea Society has been assisting the National Environment Service develop a project aimed at reducing single use plastics (SUPs) in the food and beverage industry of the Cook Islands.
Rarotonga residents push back on water tariff plan
Friday 12 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
A public meeting about potential water tariffs received mixed reactions, with some attendees concerned about affordability and others in favour of charging businesses.
Proposal to regulate turtle tour industry ‘welcomed’
Thursday 11 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National
Government agencies are considering regulating the turtle tour industry through a licensing system to manage it after a public consultation showed support for the idea.
NES selects consultant to develop sea turtle conservation plan for Rarotonga
Wednesday 10 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National
The National Environment Service (NES) has selected a qualified and experienced consultant to develop an environmental management plan to address sea turtle conservation concerns.
To Tatou Vai seeks public input on new water tariff structure
Tuesday 9 April 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
Cook Islands water authority To Tatou Vai is consulting with the community and other stakeholders to determine a water tariff structure for Rarotonga based on usage and operational costs.
Te Ipukarea Society: Cook Islanders gain insights on sustainable Blue Economy practices in US
Saturday 6 April 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
The International Visitors Leaders Programme (IVLP) funded by the U.S State Department nominated 10 representatives from the Pacific who work within the ‘Blue Economy’ to participate in a three-week long knowledge exchange programme in the United States.
Safe but shaken: Cook Islanders in Taiwan feel strong earthquake
Thursday 4 April 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, Local, National
A group of Cook Islanders visiting Taiwan had a close call with the strongest earthquake in a quarter-century that rocked the country on Wednesday morning, killing nine people and injuring more than 1000.
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
Wednesday 3 April 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Local, National, Outer Islands, Weather
Residents of Penrhyn island are investigating the cause of a large die-off of milkfish in a local fish pond, suspecting it is related to recent extreme heat and low oxygen levels in the water.
Te Ipukarea Society’s sustainable keyhole garden takes root
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
After weeks of collecting material, a bit of lifting and digging, Te Ipukarea Society has finally started up their keyhole garden again ready to use for planting!
House of Ariki and Maori King join forces for whale protection
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, National
The House of Ariki and Aotearoa Maori King signed a declaration advocating for the legal personhood of whales and their protection.
Resort champions sustainability through coral planting initiative
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, Features, Go Local, National
A resort in Aitutaki is actively engaged in a coral planting initiative to restore and preserve the health of their lagoon’s marine ecosystem.
Fisheries revenue to double
Saturday 30 March 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands’ fisheries revenue is projected to double following the historic Tuna Treaty between the Pacific Island States and the United States reached this week.
Rarotonga families sprout new skills at vegetable planting workshop
Thursday 28 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Families were delighted to take home a large number of pinapi (bok choy) seedling plants from the Ministry of Agriculture vegetable planting workshop initiated by the Cook Islands Child Welfare Association (CICWA).
Atupare Marae welcomes new shelter, Maori King for ocean initiative
Wednesday 27 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Culture, Environment, National
Tui Dewes, Aotearoa New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, had the honour of opening the new Taupare for Atupare Marae, alongside the Minister for Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development, George “Maggie” Angene, last week.
Farmers divided over domestic consumption, export potentials
Tuesday 26 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Environment, Local, National
Former Agriculture minister, Kiriau Turepu, sparked debate recently by suggesting that exporting produce should not be a priority for Cook Islands growers.
Preserving paradise: Cook Islands shares ra’ui knowledge in Hawai’i
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Environment, Features, Local, National
Representatives from the Cook Islands are participating in the University of Hawai’i Rāhui (Ra’ui) Workshop to learn more about traditional ra’ui management systems for marine resources.
Te Ipukarea Society: Flying high with a truly sustainable fishery
Saturday 23 March 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
How many of you have tried the maroro tunutunu (grilled flying fish) available at various outlets around Rarotonga? This traditional Cook Islands treat, often eaten at breakfast time, is something everybody should try.
