Cook Islands National Environment Service

Cook Islands National Environment Service Established to protect, conserve and ensure the Cook Islands environment is managed sustainably.

29/05/2026

A good day out with Mauke School 🌊♻️
Clean-ups, sorting waste and learning what washes up on our shores.

The weather cleared and Mauke School students were eager to take their learning outdoors with a clean-up activity under ...
29/05/2026

The weather cleared and Mauke School students were eager to take their learning outdoors with a clean-up activity under the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP).

Senior students carried out beach clean-ups at Ana Takapua and Anaraura, while junior students collected rubbish around the school and harbour.

Together, students collected over 180kg of waste, sorting through more than 2,300 pieces of rubbish. But the learning did not stop there. Students looked closer, identifying brands and markings, including items with Tahitian labels and Asian characters, sparking conversations about how marine litter can travel across oceans before reaching our shores.

From lots of plastic bottles and cans to general waste, the clean-up became an opportunity to better understand what ends up in our environment and why reducing waste matters.

28/05/2026

Through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), students at Mauke School have been learning about plastic pollution, how it impacts our environment, and the small everyday actions that can help reduce waste.

Junior students got hands-on sorting rubbish and learning about different waste types, while senior students took it a step further, carrying out a simple waste assessment using rubbish collected from a turtle nesting beach. Students counted and weighed waste, identified brands and markings, discussed where rubbish may have come from, and observed signs such as weathering and pig bite marks to better understand how waste moves through the environment.

Next stop: the beach 🗑️👣 where students will put their learning into action through a clean-up.

Meitaki Nui Mauke School for having us and POLP for supporting hands-on learning around plastic pollution and waste in our islands.

23/05/2026

community incentive with NGO Tanga’eo Rangers in Mangaia

The Tanga’eo (Mangaia Kingfisher) is found nowhere else in the world but Mangaia. Once impacted by habitat loss, conserv...
23/05/2026

The Tanga’eo (Mangaia Kingfisher) is found nowhere else in the world but Mangaia. Once impacted by habitat loss, conservation efforts and regenerating forests have helped this unique species recover, with the 2020 Species Status Report recording an estimated population of 4,106 birds.

🪸 Coral reefs are vital to life in the Cook Islands, protecting our coastlines, supporting marine biodiversity, sustaining fisheries, and helping keep our lagoons healthy. However, rising ocean temperatures and climate change are placing increasing pressure on these fragile ecosystems.

🌴 The Unga (Coconut Crab) is an iconic part of island life in the Cook Islands and one of the world’s largest land crabs. Found in coastal and bush areas, unga depend on healthy ecosystems to survive and thrive.

💧 Dragonflies do more than skim across streams and wetlands. They help keep ecosystems in balance by feeding on insects, including mosquitoes. Healthy freshwater environments support species like dragonflies and the biodiversity our islands depend on.

🌿 Found only in Rarotonga, the Neinei tree (Pua Neinei) is more than just a striking flower. Its nectar helps feed native species like the ʻĪʻoi (Rarotonga Starling), while pollination helps the tree continue to grow and reproduce, showing how closely connected biodiversity can be.

🕊️ The Red-tailed Tropicbird (Tavake) is found across the tropical Indo-Pacific, including the Cook Islands, and is known for its striking red tail and dramatic flight displays. On inhabited islands, nesting birds can be disturbed by people and dogs, making safe nesting spaces important for their survival.

This , let’s protect the species, ecosystems, and natural environments that support life in our islands. 🌿

📢 FURTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATION OPEN – UPDATED AVATIU SHOPPING MALL EIANES has received updated Environmental Impact Asses...
18/05/2026

📢 FURTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATION OPEN – UPDATED AVATIU SHOPPING MALL EIA

NES has received updated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) documents for the proposed Avatiu Shopping Mall development in Rarotonga.

This application previously underwent public consultation earlier this year, with submissions closing on 21 January 2026.

NES is inviting further public feedback during this supplementary consultation period before the application progresses further.

This means the report is available for everyone to read, and the community has the opportunity to share feedback before any decision is made.

The updated EIA information includes:
▪️ revised building and parking plans
▪️ building height and piling details
▪️ stormwater drainage and flooding measures
▪️ wastewater treatment and soak field details
▪️ roof rainwater collection and storage
▪️ construction impacts including dust, noise and waste management

View the updated EIA report online or at the NES Office in Tupapa

Submissions can be made within 14 days of the publication of this notice, no later than 1 June 2026. Feedback is welcome in both Cook Islands Māori and English.

📄 Full Media Release: https://environment.gov.ck/nes-invites-further-public-feedback-on-updated-avatiu-shopping-mall-eia-report-and-revised-plans/

➡️ View Updated EIA Report: https://environment.gov.ck/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/May-V1-EIA-REPORT-updated-for-submission.pdf

All Submissions to be sent to: [email protected] or dropped off to our office in Tupapa

15/05/2026

The message from the Kavana in Mangaia is simple: reduce plastic use, separate waste properly, and make use of the natural resources around us .

14/05/2026

Building a home or commercial property? Clearing land or removing sand?

Some projects may require environmental approval before work begins. This video explains the 3 permit tiers, what they mean, and the process involved.

Check with our team at NES before getting started

09/05/2026

🌊 Through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), NES is working with communities across the PA Enua to help reduce single-use plastic to prevent pollution and marine litter and protect pacific coastal environments.

Recently, the team travelled to Atiu for school visits, community activities, and site visits focused on practical local solutions and protecting the island environment for future generations ♻

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P O Box 371
Avarua

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Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
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Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

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+68221256

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