The National Environment Service (NES) announces it has received a new EIA Permit Application for public consultation.
NES provides environmental sign off on projects that may have an impact on the environment (Tiers 1, 2 & 3). This particular EIA Permit Application falls under a Tier 3 category, which is an activity that is likely to cause significant environmental impact.
All applications that fall under a Tier 3 category must provide an EIA report.
According to the Environment Act 2003, NES is to undertake a public consultation process for all EIA Permit Applications in the form of publishing details of the project and making it accessible to the public.
- Applicant: Mark Isaaka of Banyan Escape Aitutaki
Application: Tourism Development Project
The proposed development is located on privately owned land in Tautu, Aitutaki. According to the EIA report submitted to NES, the development involves the construction of six self-catering accommodation units, a small café, a natural swimming pool, and associated infrastructure.
The EIA report states that the development is proposed to incorporate a number of sustainability measures, including solar power and battery storage, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, greywater reuse, waste management measures, and landscaping. The report also identifies the culturally significant Ava Banyan tree on the property and proposes measures for its protection during construction and operation.
The EIA report identifies potential environmental and social effects associated with the development and proposes measures to manage these during construction and operation. These include matters relating to land and soil disturbance, water and wastewater management, stormwater, waste, traffic, noise and dust, health and safety, natural hazards, and potential effects on the surrounding community, including ‘Apii Vaitau.
Vavia Tangatataia, NES Manager of Environmental Compliance, stated, “As part of NES’s new communication strategy, we are pleased to share information about our EIA applications through various media channels to effectively engage with our community. Public consultation is crucial for fulfilling our mandated obligations and safeguarding our environment. We encourage anyone with questions to reach out to us.”
The EIA Report is accessible on the NES website for public viewing. Hard copies can also be obtained at the NES office (Aitutaki & Rarotonga). Additional notifications regarding the EIA will be posted on NES’s Facebook page, e-newsletter, and in print media.
Members of the public who wish to submit feedback on the EIA Permit Application may do so by writing to NES by September 5, 2026. Submissions are welcome in both Cook Islands Māori and English. Please send your submissions via email to nes@cookislands.gov.ck or deliver them to the NES office in Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
