The Rarotonga Environment Act 1994/95 was repealed by the Environment Act 2003 formalising the establishment of the NES.
The role of the National Environment Services is based on 5 main areas and has four main departments.
There is a suite of policies, strategies and plans developed over the years to enable environmental protection, conservation and management.
Our cultural identify is deeply rooted in our environment and it is part of our heritage and legacy.
An Environment Consent is a permission granted to an applicant undertaking an activity that has some but not significant environment impact.
A permission required for the construction of a standard residential dwelling or non-construction purposes such as land clearance.
A management tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision making.
Any person planning to take any wild animal or plant overseas must apply for a permit for trade movement of endangered species (CITES).
All importers of bulk HFC goods must register as an approved importer with NES.
Other permits issued by NES relates to the transboundary movement of waste, ozone depletion substances and wildlife.
Biodiversity plans are important documents to manage and determine the state of our natural environment.
Protecting species, habitats, ecosystem, and protecting biological diversity.
Activities to protect, maintain, or restore the quality of environmental media.
Historical milestone for conservation in the Cook Islands
The Environment Act 2003 is the primary legislation applied throughout the Cook Islands and the Outer Islands (Pa Enua) of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro.
Several subsidiary legislations made under the Environment Act 2003 to apply provisions of the Act and to also include the Pa Enua.
Numerous national legislations interlinked with the environment but administered by other government entities.
The initiative forms part of NES’s broader Project ENUA, which supports catchment restoration and environmental resilience. NES has contracted Muri Environment Care as the Avana
After some great conversations and interviews, NES is excited to announce that the 2025 NES Internship goes to…
A key message from APCER was that circular economy is more than recycling. It starts with how products are designed, purchased, used, repaired, and reused.
This development is the first of its kind to develop a Pacific-specific micro qualification that is tailored for the needs of ocean policy and decision
The conference gathered regional and international stakeholders to discuss challenges and successes in Pacific Ocean science, integrated ocean management by sectoral approaches, and the integration
The UNESCO MAB meetings in Hangzhou brought together global leaders to strengthen biodiversity and climate action.
The course was designed to elevate local expertise in operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones.
The workshop focused on strengthening implementation of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) across the region, exploring progress, challenges, and good practices in policy
GEF7 Project Enua (Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas) officially signed a Service Agreement with Muri Environment Care
The conference was hosted by the Government of Brazil, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Wildlife
