
NES Partners with Pa Enua Schools to Strengthen Environmental Education
NES, through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project, has partnered with schools in Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro and Mauke to introduce interactive recycling stations and waste audits,
The Rarotonga Environment Act 1994/95 was repealed by the Environment Act 2003 formalising the establishment of the NES.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.

NES, through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project, has partnered with schools in Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro and Mauke to introduce interactive recycling stations and waste audits,

The Itiki Rangers Program has returned more than three decades after it was first established in 1992, bringing the community together to tackle illegal dumping,

After more than five years of conservation, the communities of Keia, Veitatei and Tavaenga temporarily opened the Fruit Bat Raui for two days, with community

The Cook Islands advocated for a fair and ambitious global plastics treaty that addresses pollution across the full life cycle of plastics, while recognising the

UNCCD is one of the three Rio Conventions and focuses on land degradation, drought and sustainable land management. For the Cook Islands, healthy land is

Work is underway to develop the Cook Islands National Action Plan on Plastics, with NES beginning consultations to help shape a practical and coordinated approach

“The training gave me valuable hands-on experience and a better understanding of what to look for during site inspections and environmental assessments”

NES celebrates the academic achievements of Halatoa Fua, Benjamin Maxwell and Tekura Moeka’a, who have successfully completed the Master of Environmental Management and Sustainability at

Over four weeks, NES staff took part in the Akamanako Fridays Workplace Wellbeing Series facilitated by Julia Evans, CEO of RedPack, exploring practical ways to

The renovation included the installation of a new roof and windows, helping transform the office into a safer, more comfortable and fit-for-purpose workspace for the