Rima Moeka’a has joined NES as a Pa Enua Consultant. She has extensive experience in the public and private sector of the Cook Islands. Her social sciences background has strengthened her work in environment related development and advocacy, analyzing policies and engaging with the Cook Islands community.
Rima has carried out work across climate change, policy, research, health and education facets nationally. Rima hopes to bring her experience into NES Environmental Stewardship division with a goal to strengthen our Pa Enua processes and procedures. Furthermore, to strengthen delivery of programs in the Pa Enua working closely with Pa Enua officers, Island government and ensuring that these procedures are island specific.
Rima is of Maori Kuki Airani descent and values peu maori especially when engaging with the Cook Islands community.
The National Environment Service (NES) also warmly welcomes Sandee Cook as our new Environmental Partnerships Coordinator. Sandee brings with her a wealth of experience in coordinating projects and marketing, having recently completed a successful tenure at Cook Islands Tourism.
In her new role, Sandee will leverage her skills to effectively deliver on the Service’s partnership programs and special projects alongside the Environmental Partnerships team.
Sandee’s decision to transition from promoting tourism to actively protecting the environment she once helped showcase truly reflects her deep commitment to the Cook Islands.
“I’m inspired by the work that takes place through NES, and I’m humbled to be working alongside such a knowledgeable team,” says Sandee.
In addition, Kas Silk has recently returned home to our island paradise and has joined the NES team as the National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan (NBSAP) Project Coordinator. During her time with Muri Environment Care and the Natural Heritage Trust, she has been actively involved in conservation projects. She has also volunteered in the Takitumu Conservation Area with rat baiting and Kakerori banding initiatives. Her passion for environmental preservation and biodiversity is evident in her commitment to safeguarding our island’s natural resources, as well as those in the Pa Enua. Inspired by her father’s love for the ocean, Kas is deeply connected to our moana and was fortunate to sail on the Marumaru Atua to Palmerston last year to uplift the rat eradication team.
Kia Orana and welcome to NES, Rima, Sandee and Kas! We’re excited to have you all onboard and look forward to achieving great things for our islands together.
