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: Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI)
Application: Aitutaki Airport Improvement Project
The Aitutaki Airport Improvement Project is designed to meet updated International Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements by extending and widening the runway and associated Runway End Safety Areas (RESA). The project involves major works including reclamation filling, coastal protection, and infrastructure upgrades, all aimed at enhancing aviation safety while minimising environmental and social impacts.
The runway works will extend both ends of the runway, with the northern Rwy14 end requiring a 40-metre extension into the lagoon. This extension will maintain existing runway height levels, requiring approximately 11,000 cubic metres of engineered fill, which will be sourced from dredged coral sand stockpiled from the Arutanga Harbour Project.
To protect the extended runway, about 250 metres of coastal protection will be constructed at Rwy14. Two options were considered, 1) geosynthetic (Geobags) or 2) rock revetment, but rock revetment has been chosen as the preferred solution due to its resilience against high seas, wave swells, and cyclones. Locally sourced volcanic basalt rock is being stockpiled to facilitate construction.
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 Reports are accessible on the NES website for public viewing. Hard copies can also be obtained at the NES office (Aitutaki & Rarotonga) also shops on the island of Aitutaki.. 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 October 30, 2025. 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.
