Environment
Te Ipukarea Society: Deep divisions at the ISA International Seabed Authority Assembly
Saturday 3 August 2024 | Written by Te Ipukarea Society | Published in Environment, National
This past week Te Ipukarea Society was represented by Alanna Smith and Kelvin Passfield at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly meeting in Kingston, Jamaica.
Water petition faces Parliament test
Friday 2 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
The ‘Keep Our Water Free’ petition will be the first test under Parliament’s new Standing Orders, as previous petitions failed to progress beyond the tabling stage.
PM defends water tariffs as petition with 3407 signatures delivered to Parliament
Thursday 1 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
As a “Keep Our Water Free” petition with 3407 signatures was handed to the Clerk of Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Brown reiterated that “there is no way you can have water delivered to your house without some sort of cost involved”.
Thousands sign petition against incoming Rarotonga water tariffs
Wednesday 31 July 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
The petition opposing the planned water tariffs in Rarotonga, which has garnered one of the highest numbers of signatures, will be handed to Parliament this morning.
New Suwarrow Park rangers ready for duty after intensive training
Wednesday 31 July 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Environment, National, Outer Islands
The newly appointed Suwarrow Park rangers, Johnnie Tangaroa and Keanu Harawira, left Rarotonga for the northern group island last week.
‘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.
