‘We’re after the same thing’ – PM Brown reacts to NZ’s call for ban on seabed mining

As the New Zealand government moves towards a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown claims both governments are actually after the same thing. Matthew Littlewood and Caleb Fotheringham report.

CI NEWSDede Mingi3 November 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Ban, Seabed mining, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Prime Minister Mark Brown

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority ‘concerned’ with New Zealand’s call for deep sea mining ban

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) will not back New Zealand’s call for conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.

Dede Mingi28 October 2022

Cook Islands reiterates responsible and sustainable SBM development

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority) notes the recent statements made by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, regarding the call for a ‘conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction, until strong environmental rules can be agreed and backed up by robust science’.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi27 October 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, SBM development, Responsible, sustainable

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says his government’s stance on deep sea mining might end up in a ‘different vaka’ to New Zealand.

The issue has proved contentious, with various environmental groups, such as Te Ipukarea Society, calling for a moratorium or outright ban on the practice.

CI NEWSDede Mingi14 October 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Moratorium, Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Deep Sea Activities

Stakeholders want tourism and seabed mining included in talks with NZ Minister

Local stakeholders hope tourism, seabed mining and the lack of available flights will be at the forefront of any conversation during New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s visit to the Cook Islands this week.

CI NEWSDede Mingi11 October 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Cook Islands, Rarotonga

SBMA prepares inspectors for exploration expeditions

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority’s (SBMA) held a sea survival training course this week to prepare their inspectors before sending them on exploration vessels as part of its monitoring and compliance programme.

CI NEWSDede Mingi16 September 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Exploration, Sea survival training, Monitoring, Compliance, National Environment Services, Ministry of Transport

Pacific nations make their own decisions, says SBMA

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) says it respects the right of Pacific nations to make decisions regarding the sustainable development of resources in response to French Polynesia’s vote to temporary ban seabed mining projects.

Dede Mingi10 September 2022

MV Seasurveyor at Avatiu Harbour

The first of the Seabed Minerals research vessels berthed at Avatiu Harbour this week. The MV Seasurveyor which is chartered by the CIC Seabed Minerals exploration company arrived on Thursday.

CI NEWSDede Mingi25 June 2022CIC Limited (CIC), CIC Ocean Research Vessel, MV Sea Surveyor, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules

Joint Release: Celebrating World Oceans Day 2022

Hundreds of school children, members of the public and visitors gathered at Taua Terevete Park on Wednesday 8 June to celebrate World Oceans Day, bringing together government agencies, civil society, industry, research institutes and the public.

Joint ReleaseDede Mingi10 June 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, World Oceans Day, Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean, Marae Moana, Ministry of Marine Resources, National Environment Services, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration, Infrastructure Cook Islands, NGOs, Exploration Licence Holders, CIC Limited (CIC), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals), Taua Terevete

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