Another good year comes to a close for Te Ipukarea Society (TIS)
In this week's article we summarise some of the activities we have completed throughout the year. 2025 was a busy year for the Society, and we spread our wings a little wider to get into some additional biodiversity work.
One of the notable projects, which ran throughout 2024 and into 2025 was the I’oi or Rarotongan Starling tracking project, led by our Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) team member Rachel Selwyn. This project involved the use of radio transmitters to identify the home territory and range of several nesting I’oi. This information will be used to assist in future population estimates for this endemic Rarotongan bird.
The Citizen Science Turtle Tracking Programme continued throughout 2025 and we have now recorded 106 green and 17 hawksbills on Rarotonga since 2013. Alanna attended a turtle monitoring workshop in Fiji in November this year alongside other local reps Terena Koteka Wiki from the National Environment Service and Michael Perish from the Ministry of Marine Resources. Going into 2026, TIS will be looking at putting our newfound knowledge into practice.
In March we launched a new two-year seabird monitoring programme, focusing on the unique petrels and shearwaters that are essential to the health of our marine and land ecosystems. These seabirds are known for their distinctive "tubenose" beaks, which help them filter salt from seawater and marine prey, enabling them to thrive in the open ocean. Unlike other seabirds, such as the Kōta’a (Frigate bird) and Tavake (Red-tailed tropicbird), petrels and shearwaters are most observed at night when they come ashore to breed. This project will assist in identifying which of these special birds still breed on the islands of Rarotonga, Mangaia and Atiu, as well as understanding what threats are impacting them.
This year Te Ipukarea Society also ventured into the production of children’s books and we have distributed two special books to schools across the Cook Islands. These books were created to inspire a deeper connection between our young people and the ocean that surrounds and sustains us.
The first, Treasures of the Deep, is a poetic celebration of life in the deep sea. Written by June Hosking in collaboration with Alanna Smith and Kelvin Passfield, and brought to life through the illustrations of Andy Knopp, the book invites students to discover the wonder and richness of the moana through gentle, rhythmic storytelling.
The second book, Unbroken, explores the cycles and connections of life, how we are tied to each other, to our ancestors, and to the ocean. This poetic work, also written by June Hosking with thoughtful input from the Ocean Ancestors group and illustrations by Andy Knopp, paints a powerful picture of continuity and care.
In August, Te Ipukarea Society was saddened to learn of the passing of lifetime member Tamara Suchodolsky, an extraordinary woman and long-time supporter of our work. She passed away at the remarkable age of 101 (13 July 1924 – 9 August 2025). We honour her life and the legacy she leaves behind. Her memory continues to inspire our efforts to care for the natural heritage of her adopted home, the Cook Islands
The Maine Mura Project, which raises awareness on women’s health, reusable period care products and waste management, reached our outer islands youth groups in Mauke, Mangaia, Pukapuka and Tongareva. As part of the programme, and through sponsorship by the New Zealand High Commission, the team also gifted each of the young women a set of reusable period underwear to support both comfort and sustainability.
November came with an opportunity for Te Ipukarea Society to participate as an observer in the Suva-Rarotonga Transit Marine Scientific Research Cruise, coordinated by Seabed Minerals Authority and the China Deep Ocean Affairs Administration. Te Ipukarea Society's interest is in what life (big and small) is living in the deep sea to aid understanding of the role this life has to play in keeping our ocean healthy. It is hoped information collected will inform our ongoing campaign against deep seabed mining.
In December we welcomed our 2 young interns from Pukapuka who are here in Rarotonga to attend Tereora College. Tetuanui Dariu and Maree Elisa have been hard at work, helping us with analysing material for management plans we are working on, as well as assisting in keyhole garden maintenance. In January they will join in a learning exchange with Kamehameha School from Hawaii
We look forward to a successful 2026 for the Cook Islands environment, and Te Ipukarea Society will continue highlighting the threats and challenges for our island home. Wishing everyone a very happy festive season full of goodness and love.