The National Environment Service (NES) Pa Enua officers and selected island representatives recently took part in a two-day workshop in Rarotonga, coordinated by Te Ipukarea Society in partnership with SPREP and NES. The training focused on seabird species such as petrels and shearwaters, which are now nesting on Raemaru Mountain. The aim was to give participants a deeper understanding of these birds so they can raise awareness within their home communities and support an NES-led seabird survey planned for early next year.
On Monday, 18 August 2025, participants heard from SPREP experts who shared their insights into the remarkable journeys of petrels and shearwaters. These seabirds travel vast distances across the ocean to return to their nesting sites in the Cook Islands, where they play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their guano fertilises native vegetation, enriching both land and reef systems, while their foraging behaviour provides natural indicators for local fishermen searching for schools of fish.
The workshop included practical lessons on seabird monitoring, such as learning vocalisations and using acoustic recorders, also known as song meters, to capture the calls of these nocturnal birds. Participants joined a night survey with thermal binoculars to track seabirds returning to their nesting sites. On the second day, the group hiked up Raemaru Mountain to observe active nesting areas, replace batteries in monitoring devices and record information about the birds’ behaviours during both day and night. A key message reinforced during the fieldwork was the importance of avoiding the creation of new tracks through the ferns, as these can provide easy pathways for predators such as cats and rats to access sensitive nesting sites.
The workshop brought together NES Pa Enua officers from Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Mitiaro, Mauke, Manihiki, Penrhyn and the three Suwarrow Rangers, alongside representatives from their island communities.
Petrels and shearwaters are part of the Cook Islands’ natural heritage. Because they spend much of their lives far out at sea or breeding in remote mountain areas, they are not often seen or well understood. However, their presence brings enormous value to our land and reef ecosystems. By protecting their nesting sites, we help preserve the unique biodiversity of the Cook Islands.
Together, we can make a difference — one step at a time, and no new tracks.
