The Rarotonga Environment Act 1994/95 was repealed by the Environment Act 2003 formalising the establishment of the NES.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.
Senior Compliance Officer Matthew Rima of the National Environment Services, attended the 11th Plenary Meeting of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Phillip Strickland, Senior Environmental Compliance Officer at NES, recently attended the Environment and Emergency Training Courses organized by the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit (JEU) in
Deputy Prime Minister, Member of Parliament for Palmerston Island, Hon. Minister, Albert Nicholas, extended his congratulations to the Palmerston community and all involved stakeholders: “This
The success of the Palmerston Island rat eradication project has garnered national attention and is seen as a potential model for other islands across the
Bait was hand laid across the two islets and 116 buildings on Home Islet were baited. Em Oyston from DOC was the project team leader
Phase Two of the TKTTK programme will be extended until June 2025. Starting November 12, 2024, CIGT will accept e-waste and whiteware drop-offs at the
A team from the National Environment Service (NES) departed Rarotonga on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, for an essential mission to the Northern Group Islands of
NES and Blue Orca have formally partnered to advance sustainable electronic waste (e-waste) management in the Cook Islands. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been
The Cook Islands’ participation in COP16 and the regional preparatory meeting demonstrates its commitment to addressing land degradation and drought, and to working collaboratively with
Mr Vavia Tangatataia, the Environmental Compliance Manager at NES were among the 18 successful participants selected to attend the training in Egypt.
The training
