JEAN WRAGG, 2023 Intake

Jean began working as a full-time intern for the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) in mid-December 2023. She had just finished NCEA Level 2 and hoped to gain experience in the marine world before continuing to NCEA Level 3 and pursuing higher education. 

Jean, who works in the Policy and Regulation Oversight Division, assists the Knowledge Management Division with nodule management. Jean's current projects include researching the various positions and perspectives of countries within and outside the Pacific on deep sea minerals, as well as creating a visual timeline display for the regulations surrounding seabed minerals harvesting. Both tasks have given Jean a new perspective on working in the marine industry. 

"It's been fascinating researching all of the different countries' perspectives on seabed minerals." "It's the ideal first task for me because it allows me to gain a thorough understanding of SBMA—what it stands for, what its goals are, and how my interests align with them," Jean says. She has found the megalodon tooth embedded with nodules and crusts to be the most interesting during her internship and enjoys any opportunity to handle them. Jean aspires to have her own one so that she can display it in her home. 

The most difficult aspect for her has been gaining a proper understanding of technical terms. Despite this, she has had a wonderful time at SBMA, saying, "It has been an amazing opportunity to learn and improve." Working with the SBMA team has been beneficial to her learning and inspiring for her future goals in the marine world. "My favourite part of being an intern at SBMA is the opportunity to learn from and work besides the staff here at SBMA, all of whom are very knowledgeable and informed people within their own fields." 

"Interning here at SBMA has been more beneficial to me than I could have imagined," she concludes. SBMA has broadened my horizons and given me the confidence to pursue my passion for the oceans. 

Jean intends to study marine science in New Zealand after graduating.

Aaron Punua, 2023 Intake

Aaron grew up on Enuamanu/Atiu Island. He is a Level 3 senior student finishing his final year at Apii Enuamanu.

His speech about the "Kopeka," or Atiu swiftlet, a species of bird endemic to Atiu, won him first prize in the Year 13 category of the Te Reo Maori Speech Competition earlier this year.

Aaron was also given the opportunity to intern here at the Seabed Minerals Authority Office in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, as part of his first place winning in the competition.

During the Term 3 2023 school holidays, he began his internship, where he provided support and assistance in knowledge management as well as the partnerships and cooperation space.

Overall, he commented that he enjoyed learning about the most recent developments in the Seabed Minerals sector, as well as being able to view rare footage of our Cook Islands nodules on our seafloor and meeting new people during the school holidays, also learning about which organisations collaborated with the Seabed Minerals Authority.

Aaron's hands-on experience and problem-solving skills make him a valuable addition to our team. He also hopes to further his education, either in the Cook Islands or internationally.

Aaron aspires to use traditional knowledge to create a sustainable living environment for our people. He believes that preserving our culture and heritage is essential to ensuring a better future.

Tamyra Bullen, 2022 intake

Tamyra started working for the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) as a full-time intern at the beginning of December 2022. After completing NCEA Level 3, she decided to take a gap semester in order to acquire experience and insight into the technical field of science before pursuing studies at university.

While Tamyra works in the Technical Division she also offers support and assistance in the Communications Division, by conducting online research. The initiatives Tamyra is currently working on include detailing the various sampling systems and survey equipment on board the Anuanua Moana vessel and an in-depth report on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Both of these projects are in line with her goal to study mechatronics at university.

Part of Tamyra’s role has also been to attend SBM meetings, workshops, and seminars. One of her favourite ones to attend was the DEEPEND workshop held in Aitutaki in December 2022. She enjoyed listening to the various presentations by experts in the field, especially those on microbiology, deep-sea biodiversity, and sampling equipment. "It was interesting to learn that the majority of pharmaceutical drugs originate from natural products like plants, bacteria, and fungi.  The equipment used for various sampling techniques, including geological, biological, and water sampling, was also fascinating to learn about," said Tamyra. One of the most useful instruments in ocean exploration, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), is used to sample the sediment and identify small animals that are present on the seabed," says Tamyra.

During her internship, Tamyra has had a one-of-a-kind experience, from drafting a report based on various survey systems and sampling equipment on the Anuanua Moana vessel to travelling out at sea on that very vessel. Tamyra had an extraordinary experience as she journeyed around Rarotonga and through Nga-pu-toru while witnessing firsthand the data collected by the ship's seafloor mapping equipment. Tamyra’s comprehension of the mapping system (multi-beam echo sounder) improved after observing the data being processed on board. Despite it being a brief trip, Tamyra really relished the experience. "It was fascinating to see some of the operations firsthand, especially after spending most of my internship writing about it." Tamyra recalls, "It was a very exciting learning opportunity."

Although she found it difficult to understand the technical language and aspects of SBM, she found it beneficial for her learning to be working alongside the SBMA team. "Working with and learning from my coworkers, who are all very informed and inspirational people in their own fields, has been my favourite part of my internship at SBMA," she said.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my internship, as SBMA provided a variety of tasks that relate to my interests. Teamwork is emphasised heavily in this warm and welcoming atmosphere because it is crucial to the success of the industry," she says.

Tamyra plans to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering degree in New Zealand, from July this year.

tuira henderson-Enoka, 2022 intake

Tuira is a Matavera resident. She recently completed level 3 at Tereora College in the Cook Islands' Rarotonga.

She began her internship in the technical division during the Christmas 2021/22 School Holidays, where she provided support and assistance. She concentrated on learning about the various types of marine geophysics, which are various geoscientists' techniques for scanning the seafloor and learning about its composition. She prepared a presentation that was challenging but also provided her with a lot of new information.The variety of techniques available allows us to learn a lot about the seafloor without having to risk sending people deep into the ocean.

Tuira intends to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree at university beginning in 2022. She is ecstatic that she now has a better understanding of how investing and people interact.

Inano harmon, 2022 intake

Inano is from Avarua. She is taking a gap year between Level 3 (Tereora College) and university.

She began her internship at the start of 2022, where she is providing support and assistance in the technical division. She is learning all aspects of marine science including marine biology and actions of deep sea currents.

Her project this year is on the Antarctic Bottom Water current which is believed to be important in the formation of Cook Islands high cobalt nodules. Inano is enjoying the interaction with the scientists and other staff at SBMA, as seabed minerals is a complex and multifaceted field.

Harmon was able to attend a virtual training class with ISA in May of 2022. Attendees at this workshop included specialists from all over the globe who came to gain knowledge on a wide range of issues, including the deep marine environment and the minerals generated on the seabed. However, she learned a great deal from the workshop, and found it was fascinating to collaborate with individuals from such a wide range of backgrounds and hear their perspectives on the many issues covered.

Also in the same month of May International Women’s Day, marked the event of a group of women working in the maritime space were given the opportunity to sail aboard the Marumaru Atua. Harmon said, "It was certainly a surreal experience to be a part of."

Later in the year, Inano signed up for a maritime survival workshop. The purpose of the two-day programme was to help everyone involved develop their abilities. Included in the course was a day of theoretical training as well as a day of physical drills out in the ocean. Everyone who attended the programme left with a certificate verifying that they had successfully completed the Sea Survival Course.

The office culture was something that Inano found to her liking. The people there, she continues, "were quite friendly, and I learned a lot." Her experience was very wonderful. Many of SBMA's projects are too complex for me to fully grasp due to their technological nature expressed Harmon.

In 2023, she plans to continue her education at University in New Zealand. Inano will pursue a Bachelor of Arts/Science degree with a double major in marine science and English. She hopes to one day pursue a career in marine biology. A key takeaway from her experience at SBMA has been the significance of maintaining focus and thereby increase productivity. A year ago, Harmon said, "There is still a lot to learn, and I am looking forwards to it."

Athina Karika, 2022 intake

Athina is from Nikao. She is about to start year 12 at Tereora College, Rarotonga Cook Islands.

She began her internship in the new year of 2022 school holidays, where she provided support and assistance in the technical division. She enjoyed learning about the different types of marine life, especially those associated with polymetallic nodule fields around the world. She prepared and gave a presentation which was challenging but included a lot of interesting new information. Seeing the perspective of SBMA on this potential industry was also really interesting.

Once her level 3 is complete, Athina is planning to go on and study a double Bachelor of Civil Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Civil Environmental Science. In this way she can take understanding and contributions to her home environment to a whole new level. She is looking forward to the challenges and reward that such a course will bring.

seth solomona, 2021 intake

Seth was born and raised in Rarotonga. He attended Papaaroa School and Tereora College. Studying at the University of Auckland Seth is working towards his bachelor of science majoring in marine biology. He completed his second year of study at the end of 2020 but due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic chose to continue his studies online and at the same time pursue work experience with the Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority). 

Seth has quite a unique story.  His interest in the seabed minerals (SBM) sector and his chosen career pathway began all the way back in 2013. Then Commissioner Paul Lynch and then legal counsel Alex Herman (current Commissioner) visited Papaaroa SDA College and presented to students on the potential of the SBM sector.    He also recalls Lynch saying “this is the future of the Cook Islands,” which sparked an interest in Seth in all things related to marine biology.

Seth began his internship with the Authority in June 2021 and is using the experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. Providing support to the Finance, Administration and Communications divisions has allowed him to see first-hand the actions the Authority and government are taking to progress the SBM sector.   Working in administration has contributed to his understanding of the importance of local, regional and international stakeholders and their contribution towards progressing this sector.

Seth is interested in the development of the sector and the potential benefits it has for our people and the ever changing world. He is excited for exploration and all the discoveries to be made but especially looks forward to getting some in-field experience cataloging and analysing benthic biology.

Nauma Marsters, 2021 intake

Nauma is from Palmerston Island. He is currently a Level 3 Senior student at Tereora College, Rarotonga Cook Islands.

He began his internship over the Term 1 2021 School Holidays, where he provided support and assistance in Finance, Administration and Communications. Overall, he said that he enjoyed learning about how nodules were formed as well as what organisations cooperated with the Seabed Minerals Authority and getting to know new people over the school holidays.

He also looks forward to broadening his education either within the Cook Islands or overseas. Nauma seeks his inspirations from his family especially his Grandmothers, enjoys youth nights with his church parish and volleyball tournaments.

Nauma at times felt that data projects were challenging but a great learning tool at the same time. He mentions that if things don’t work out in the sector - he hopes to become an Automotive Technician and Fisherman.