From 5–7 May 2026, Rarotonga became a focal point for conversation, ideas, and reflection as the National Environment Service (NES) hosted a series of workshops under the GEF-7 funded Project ENUA. Over three days, government agencies, technical advisers, NGOs, Aronga Mana (traditional leaders), landowners, and community representatives came together to talk honestly about how we care for our environment today and what needs to happen next to protect it for the future.
Supported by Project ENUA Chief Technical Advisor Keith Twyford, and with UNDP Mid-Term Review Consultant Roland Wong attending in an advisory role, the week provided an opportunity to reflect on progress and ground discussions in real-world experience from across the project.
The first workshop stepped back to look at Project ENUA as a whole. Partners reviewed progress across protected areas, catchment management, invasive species work, and environmental planning systems. There has been real progress across all these areas, and a lot of hard work happening behind the scenes. At the same time, people spoke openly about the importance of keeping efforts connected through strong communication, coordination, and a more cohesive and organised approach across partners.
Photo: Project Enua Technical Advisory Team during the first workshop.
The second workshop focused on protected and conserved areas across four key sites: Suwarrow, Takutea, Manuae, and the Takitumu Conservation Area (TCA). Using an approach called Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT), participants looked at how these places are being managed and how things have changed since 2022. But this wasn’t just about numbers or scores. It was grounded in real experience from people who know these places well.
What stood out was how dependent these ecosystems are on ongoing conservation efforts, care, and resourcing. Participants spoke about challenges such as limited funding, seasonal ranger presence, and the difficulty of managing remote islands. Across all sites, one issue was consistently highlighted: invasive species, particularly rats, remain one of the most significant threats to native biodiversity and ecosystem health.At the same time, local knowledge continues to play an important role in understanding how these environments are changing over time and guiding effective management over time.
The final workshop brought the focus back to Rarotonga, especially its inland forests and catchment areas. The discussion explored a longstanding idea being re-explored under Project ENUA, a Community Conserved Area (CCA) approach to Rarotonga’s inland cloud- and montane-forest areas.
Across Rarotonga, catchment groups, landowners, Aronga Mana, and community members are doing important work in different valleys. The discussion looked at how these efforts can be better supported and connected so they are not working in isolation. Customary landowner leadership, invasive species control, and ensuring conservation reflects Cook Islands identity and values were all highlighted as key priorities.
By the end of the week, there was a shared understanding of where Project ENUA is at and what needs to come next. Project ENUA now moves forward with a strong focus on connections between people, places, and the many parts of environmental work happening across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, to move the planning and ideas generated into action!
