Latest news with #MaraeMoana
Scoop
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Cook Islands Announces Protection Zone For Migrating Oceania Humpback Whales
The Cook Islands prime minister has announced a zone to protect the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania humpback whale. RNZ Pacific Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown has announced the creation of a zone to protect the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania humpback whale. Brown made the announcement at the UN Oceans Conference in Nice, France. 'We can apply our traditional Ra'ui practice at ocean scale,' Brown told the conference. 'Spanning over 400,000 square kilometres, this zone will adapt with the seasons and respond to emerging threats. Its purpose is not only conservation; it is recovery.' The Cook Islands set up Marae Moana in 2017. Brown said Ra'ui To'ora reflects a growing global truth that traditional knowledge and science can work together to shape powerful solutions. 'With regional cooperation, this could become the foundation of the Pacific's first transboundary whale corridor. 'To support this, we are further exploring the establishment of the Institute of Blue Ocean Sustainability and Science, a national initiative to advance ocean governance, foster applied research, and strengthen partnerships across government, academia, industry, and traditional leadership. 'These are not radical ideas; they are overdue. This is sovereignty matched with stewardship.' Also, at the Ocean Conference, Tuvalu prime minister Feleti Teo has called for an international treaty on sea level rise. a network of highly protected marine areas (MPAs). The conference wraps up on Friday, Nice time.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Environmentalists question Henry Puna's role in deep sea mining firm
Henry Puna. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Environmentalists in the Cook Islands have criticised former Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) head Henry Puna for joining the board of a deep sea mining company. Puna, who finished his term as PIF secretary general in May last year, played a pivotal part in the creation of multi-use marine park, Marae Moana , in 2017. The marine protected area extends over the entire country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), covering an area roughly the size of Mexico. It prohibits large-scale commercial fishing and seabed mining within 50 nautical miles of each of the 15 islands. Puna has now joined the board of deep sea mining company Cobalt Seabed Resources (CSR) - a joint venture between the Cook Islands government and the Belgium company Global Sea Mineral Resources. CSR is currently undertaking exploration in the Cook Islands EEZ, along with two other companies. It also has an exploration licence in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, located in the high seas in the central Pacific Ocean. Also read: Environmental advocates say Puna's new role conflicts with his conservation work. The Te Ipukarea Society said Puna was interested in the deep sea mining industry while simultaneously pushing for the creation of Marae Moana during his time as Prime Minister. "It is something to be wary about with his new role and maybe how he will go about green washing how the deep sea mining company operates within our waters and their actions," the environmental charity's director Alana Smith said. While in parliament, Puna was an MP for the Northern Group atoll, Manihiki. Manihiki resident Jean-Marie Williams said Puna is a good man However, Williams believes the benefits of deep sea mining will not be seen on his island. "We could make money out of it," he said. "But who's going to make money out of it? Definitely not the people of Manihiki. "The corporat[ions] will make money out of it." However, William Numanga, who previously worked for Puna as a policy analyst, does not view it like that. "Remember, Henry lives on an atoll, up north, so if there is any effect on the environment, he would be first to know," Numanga said. "I do not think he will be putting aside a lot of the environmental concerns or challenges. He will be making sure that those environmental concerns are factored into this development process," he added. Henry Puna ended his term as the PIF secretary general in May 2024. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon He believes Puna's "passion for environmental protection", coupled with his desire for economic development, makes him a good fit for the role. Auckland doctoral student Liam Koka'ua said the company, which has the aim of extracting valuable minerals from the seabed, goes against the purpose of Marae Moana. "If you truly believe Marae Moana is a place that must be protected at all costs and protected for our sustained livelihood and future and be protected for generations to come, then I don't think rushing into an experimental industry that could potentially have huge impacts is aligned with those intentions," Koka'ua said. RNZ Pacific has made multiple attempts to reach Puna for comment, but has yet to receive a response. However, in a statement, he said CSR is "uniquely placed to make advances for the people of the Cook Islands".
