To Protect, Conserve and Manage
From climate change to biodiversity conservation, environment affairs is a matter concerning everyone, everyday.
APPLICATIONS & PERMITS
To monitor and evaluate activities which significantly affect the environment.
STEWARDSHIP
Manage projects relating to biodiversity, conservation, Pa Enua (Outer Islands), research and data collection.
PARTNERSHIPS
The National Environment Service applies stewardship to the planning and management of the environment and natural resources in the Cook Islands.
LEGISLATION
Environment Act 2003 and associated regulations are in place to manage environmental matters in the Cook Islands
The National Environment Service is established to protect, conserve and ensure the Cook Islands environment is managed sustainably.
Our cultural identify is deeply rooted in our environment and it is part of our heritage and legacy that must be passed on to future generations of Cook Islanders.


Montreal Protocol
(MP) Project
The MP Project aims to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) & phase down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are man-made chemicals harmful to the our environment and health.
UNEP support the Cook Islands compliance with the control measures, implementing activities and other obligations under the Montreal Protocol.

Ridge to Reef
(R2R) Project
The R2R Project aimed to enhance the effective mainstreaming of biodiversity in key sectors, including terrestrial and marine resources, agriculture and tourism to mitigate threats within production landscapes.
R2R applied an integrated approach to enhance the Cook Islands’ capacities to sustainably & effectively manage protected areas and landscapes at local scales.

Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) Project
The MIA Project is an opportunity to determine the Cook Islands national capacity to implement the Minamata Convention on mercury.
Key components of this project include conducting a national mercury inventory, a legislative gaps analysis and an institutional gaps analysis, which will be presented in a final project report with recommendations for further action.
Latest News
NES launch two new videos to celebrate National Environment WeekÂ
These are the first two videos released by NES in 2023 as part of its implementation of the NES Environmental Communication Strategy (ECS 2022-27) to…
GEF7 project for US$3.5 million launched with Inception Workshop
The GEF 7 project has been on a long journey of development. From the GEF 7 National Dialogue in January 2020 to the validation workshop…
Three new GEF7 project staff start with NES
The new GEF 7 positions form part of the Environmental Partnerships Department within NES. They will be responsible for overseeing and guiding the successful delivery…

Cook Islands Biodiversity
To monitor and evaluate activities which significantly affect the environment.