
POLP supports waste and plastic reduction efforts in Mitiaro
Tematangarengare school leader Joanna shared, “Te tama tatou enua, akamatutu katoa ia tatou kia ma ua to tatou enua, kia kore e tā tita ia.”
The Rarotonga Environment Act 1994/95 was repealed by the Environment Act 2003 formalising the establishment of the NES.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.

Tematangarengare school leader Joanna shared, “Te tama tatou enua, akamatutu katoa ia tatou kia ma ua to tatou enua, kia kore e tā tita ia.”

Migratory species are in accelerating decline globally. At CMS COP15, the Cook Islands secured key leadership roles and advanced priorities on marine species protection, reducing

Some of the key themes discussed during the workshop included the implementation of the international and regional rules governing the disposal of wastes at sea,

The Cook Islands engaged in discussions throughout the two-week session, participating in coordination meetings with the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Pacific Small Island

The development of the Bill has been informed by an extensive consultation process undertaken between May 2024 and December 2025.

The National Environment Service (NES), with support from the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP), has strengthened efforts to reduce plastic pollution and improve waste management

The National Environment Service (NES) team recently visited the Rarotonga waste management facility on Thursday 23rd of April in Rarotonga. The visit provided valuable firsthand

The National Biodiversity Committee, known as Kopapa Ao Ora Natura (KAON), met for its first quarterly meeting of 2026 on Friday 24 April at the

The Aitutaki Environment Authority continues to guide development with a focus on protecting water sources and lagoon systems. Strong emphasis is being placed on proper

A meeting with the Ui Ariki of Nukuroa marked an important step forward for the Restoring Biodiversity and Cultural Resilience Project and the proposed Mitiaro