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
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.
Rarotonga’s wetlands, with in-fill areas of wetlands, and other types of land-use. (SPREP, 2015; Data source NES)
Figure 95: Rarotonga’s wetlands near Avarua. (SPREP, 2015, Data source NES)
Cook Islands country report: Profiles and results from survey work at Aitutaki, Palmerston, Mangaia and Rarotonga
Water Quality Data Report Aitutaki 2008
AITUTAKI WATER QUALITY DATA REPORT 2009
HEALTH STATISTICAL TABLES 2008 - 2010. MEDICAL RECORDS UNIT Rarotonga Hospital
STATISTICAL BULLETIN 2005. MEDICAL RECORDS UNIT Rarotonga Hospital Published in 2006
Rarotonga Hospital Published: July 2008
Medical Records Unit – Rarotonga Hospital COOK ISLANDS
WATER QUALITY DATA REPORT Manihiki 2008
WATER QUALITY DATA REPORT Penrhyn January – December 2008
WATER QUALITY ANNUAL DATA REPORT. Penrhyn January – December 2009 Published in August 2010
Rarotonga water quality annual report 2006
RAROTONGA WATER QUALITY ANNUAL REPORT 2007