Report consolidating the discussions and presentations of the Cook Islands GEF-8 National Dialogue, hosted by the National Environment Service in partnership with the Global Environment Facility on the 19th & 20th of April 2023 at the Edgwater Resort in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
This was published in 2020
Refer to pages 6-7 for Cook Islands story on biocontrol monitoring conducted in July/August 2023, "Weed Biocontrol in the Cook Islands Shows the Way for Others"
This survey was created by the National Environment Service to gauge community awareness of single-use plastics and understand the needs of end-users to successfully transition to sustainable alternatives. The information collected will be used to inform the RESPONSE project aimed at reducing single-use plastics in the Cook Islands via the food and bevergae industry.
To learn more about the RESPONSE project, see our website:
On the 6th March 2024, the National Environment Service and Te Ipukarea Society held a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop at the Rarotongan Resort in Rarotonga. The workshop was intended to inform stakeholders from the tourism operators, retailers and wholesalers, government stakeholders and community organisations of the RESPONSE project and gain stakeholder perspective and insight for the project development.
A summary note of the RESPONSE project concept for a broad understanding of the project objective and outcomes
Number of Permits and Consents issued by NES within Jan - Mar 2018 by Vaka. Includes building permits, consents and permits for EIAs
Abstract The wetlands of 21 countries and territories of the Pacific Islands region are reviewed: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. The regions’ wetlands are classified into seven systems: coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, riverine, lacustrine, freshwater swamp forests and marshes.
Executive Summary
This report is presented in 4 chapters.
Chapter 1 provides background on the process of developing the Cook Island
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The Cook Islands was one
of the first countries to commit to the CBD by signing it at the Earth Summit in 1992,
and the Cook Island National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was
one of the first to be completed for the Pacific Region. This in itself was a positive
step towards implementation of the CBD. The NBSAP was prepared based on
Summary of Wetland Situation
There are four main types of wetlands in the Cook Islands:
• Freshwater marshes and swamps: on Rarotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke.
• Permanent freshwater lakes: Lake Tiriara on Mangaia, Lake Tiroto on Atiu, and Lake Rotonui and
Lake Rotoiti on Mitiaro.
• Tidal salt marsh: at Ngatangiia Harbour on Rarotonga.
• Mountain streams: on Rarotonga.
There are no mangroves in the islands.
Cook Islands 2011 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries
1988 Agricultural Census - Main Results
is country report is prepared as a contribution to the FAO publication, The Report on the State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources. The content and the structure are in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines given by FAO in the document Guidelines for Preparation of Country Reports for the State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources (2010). These guidelines set out recommendations for the objective, scope and structure of the country reports.
FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 COUNTRY REPORT
RAROTONGA Cloud Forest Ecosystems Synthesis Report, Key Findings and Recommendations 2015
Cook Islands Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2002. Cook Islands Government’s support of this biodiversity strategy and action plan, and we will be forming appropriate committees to escalate biodiversity conservation in the Cook Islands.