Community, Culture, and Conservation in the Northern Group
The NBSAP 2024–2025 consultation journey reached its final destination this April, with our last workshops held in the northern atolls of Pukapuka and Nassau. These visits brought together communities, leaders, NGOs, and—during school holidays, no less—enthusiastic students to share their visions for biodiversity and help shape future environmental action across the Cook Islands.
In addition to the NBSAP consultations, the visits included waste audits under the GEF ISLANDS Project, which is set to be implemented in the Pa Enua later this year. These engagements also supported consultations on the Draft Environment Bill 2024. The overall purpose of the visit was to connect with remote communities on critical environmental issues and ensure their voices are reflected in national strategies and legislation.
In Pukapuka, two vibrant workshops took place. The first, with the wider community, featured five breakout groups and a spirited singing challenge, with each team creatively embedding biodiversity messages into their songs. The second, held after returning from Nassau, brought together students from Apii Niua School and local NGOs. It opened with a student-led song that sparked a friendly challenge, with each group sharing performances filled with conservation themes, humour, and cultural pride. We’re especially grateful to the students and teachers who took part during their break—smartly dressed in uniform and full of energy and creativity.
In Nassau, the team was welcomed with heartfelt hospitality and open engagement. The consultation featured lively discussion, reflective dialogue, and more joyful singing—ending with the proud refrain: “Nassau’s the best!” The team also toured the central plantations, the MV Manuvai shipwreck, the local school, and key waste sites, gaining insights into local biodiversity strengths and challenges. On our return to Pukapuka, we passed by Tema Reef, where vibrant colours and striking wave formations offered a colourful and dramatic disply.
Back in Pukapuka, the NES team joined the ANZAC Day commemorations and the much-anticipated Volleyball Final between Pukapuka and Nassau, with both NES officers hitting the court. Later that day, we visited Motu Ko and Motu Kotawa—two raui sites playing a key role in conservation.
Our final night was marked by an unforgettable old-style fundraising dance, where three of our team were swept onto the dancefloor and kept dancing by young and old alike. In a warm and rare gesture, even the young men ensured our guests stayed up dancing and smiling until the end.
A heartfelt meitaki ma’ata goes to our NES officers, Joe and Iorama. As captains and hosts, they were instrumental in the success of this journey—from navigating lagoons and ocean crossings to guiding us to raui sites with patience and leadership that never wavered.
Special thanks also go to Mayor Levi Walewaoa and EO Nomairaro ‘Mai’ Melota, who were ever present throughout our time in Pukapuka —right up to farewells at the wharf and airstrip, and to Mama Koyi Tiere, whose behind-the-scenes logistics made it all run smoothly.
Finally, a huge ‘atawai wolo’ to Pepeu Henry Makira Ariki, the island leaders and the communities of Pukapuka and Nassau—for your generosity, wisdom, beautiful imene and unwavering commitment to your environment. This final stop marked the close of our national NBSAP consultation process. Your voices—like those from every island we’ve visited—have helped shape not just a national biodiversity strategy, but a more connected and resilient future for our islands and our people.
The Cook Islands NBSAP project is implemented by the National Environment Service. The project is supported by the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support project (GBF-EAS), through the GEF and UNEP. It seeks to assist countries in their review and alignment of their NBSAPs, national targets, and monitoring frameworks to implement the GBF
