Cook Islands Prime Minister to Engage New Zealand Diaspora on Cultural Pride and Sustainable Development

The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, is set to engage with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand from November 18 to 22 in a week-long Diaspora Consultation. These consultations, organised by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Cook Islands New Zealand High Commission, with the aim to update the diaspora on important national developments, including progress in the seabed minerals sector and the Cook Islands’ upcoming 60th anniversary of self-governance in 2025.

Joint ReleaseDede Mingi14 November 2024Cook Islands, New Zealand, Consultations, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals, Sustainable Development, Diaspora Engagement, Cook Islands 60th Anniversary, Community Consultations, Environmental Stewardship, Cultural Pride, Pacific Sustainability, Cook Islands Heritage, Empowering Our People, Cook Islands Global Community, Seabed Minerals Authority, Strengthening Our Future

Seabed Minerals Exploration Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our seabed minerals (SBM) sector for the benefit of our Cook Islands people. In line with the precautionary approach, any future decision on whether or not we will allow minerals harvesting to occur must be science based.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi2 November 2024Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Ocean Conservation, Marine Protection, Environmental Stewardship, Clean Energy, Marae Moana, Responsible Mining, Exploration, Deep Sea Research, Future Generations, Economic Diversification, Science Based, Community Engagement, Knowledge Advancement, SBM

Akakitekiteanga no te Porokaramu Rangaanga i te au Mīnera Takere Moana

Te anoano nei matou i te akamatutu e te akatere meitaki i te tuanga Mīnera Takere Moana kia riro ei akapuapinga i to tatou iti tangata Kuki Airani. Ei ravenga akapirianga ki te akatereanga matakite, ko tetai uatu tukuʻangā tika i te au ra ki mua no runga i te akatikaanga me kare patoianga i te kokotianga mīnera, ka anoanoia te reira tukuʻangā tika kia tangoia ki runga i te tuanga taieni.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi2 November 2024Cook Islands, Cook Islands EEZ, SBM, Deep Sea Research, Exploration Programme, Community Engagement

Seabed Science in Action: UMC’s Groundbreaking Trip To Cook Islands Nodule Field

The UMC marked its first-ever field trip to an active nodule field in the South Pacific. Many participants from around the world joined the crew aboard the research vessel Anuanua Moana. The field trip gave a unique opportunity to observe the actual scientific processes involved in deep-sea research, with a particular focus on the polymetallic nodules' environment.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi11 October 2024Seabed Science, Deep Sea Research, Polymetallic Nodules, Cook Islands, Anuanua Moana, Marine Exploration, Community Engagement, Environmental Impact, Research Vessel, UMC Field Trip

Thomas Wynne: Addressing concerns and protecting our interests

To address potential concerns and further strengthen the protection of the Cook Islands’ interests, I have emailed the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) the following additions or amendments to the draft seabed mining regulations.

Letter to the editorDede Mingi5 October 2024Seabed Mining, Cook Islands, Environmental Protection, Cumulative Impact Assessments, Precautionary Principle, Biodversity Offsets, Environmental Oversight, Real Time Monitoring, Community Consultations, Indigenous Consultation, Benefit Sharing

Cook Islands passes historic first law for minerals harvesting management

After four years of development and two rounds of public consultations, the Seabed Minerals (Minerals Harvesting and Other Mining) Regulations 2024 (MH Regulations) have now been passed.

The adoption of these regulations is a crucial step in establishing a comprehensive legal framework, providing all stakeholders with clarity and certainty regarding the Cook Islands' legal regime for seabed minerals governance, and are administered by the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA).

Media ReleaseDede Mingi4 October 2024Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Sustainable Development, Minerals Management, Marine Government, Environmental Regulations, Policy Development, Seabed Mining, Minerals Harvesting, International Best Practice, Legal Framework, Resource Management

Letter: A call for political reform

Dear Editor, In an interview gathering exercise for a BBC podcast on seabed mining (SBM) over a week ago, I mentioned that we have disproportionate representation i.e. my one vote is worth about 10 Raro votes. You can see why government makes sure to buddy buddy with the pa enua.

Letter to the editorDede Mingi2 October 2024Seabed Mining, Political Reform, Cook Islands, Local Governance, Pa Enua, Representation, Community Consultations, Peer Pressure Tactics, Land Ownership, Electoral Reform, Integrity In Politics

Licensee anticipates delay in seabed exploration research

Delays in the seabed minerals exploration and research are expected due to opposition and the efficiency of the regulatory system, says one of the three deep sea mining companies exploring the Cook Islands seabed.

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 October 2024Seabed Mining, Deep Sea Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules, Cook Islands, Moana Minerals, Environmental Impact, Cobalt Mining, Marine Research, Regulatory Frameworks, Sustainable Development, Seabed Resources, Exploration Licences, Marine Conservation, Deep Sea Technology, Ocean Governance

Cook Islands may extend deep sea mining exploration

Cook Islands government will consider extending the exploration phase for deep-sea mining to gather more comprehensive data and ensure informed decision-making about the potential environmental impacts.

Prime Minister Mark Brown has revealed that there is a possibility of extending the exploration time frame beyond five years, depending on the satisfaction derived from the data and findings of the three companies conducting the exploration of the country’s seabed.

CI NEWSDede Mingi20 September 2024Deep Sea Research, Future Generations, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

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