As the Cook Islands approaches the upcoming elections, deep-seabed mining has become a defining national issue, one that reaches beyond the environment and into the future of our economy, community, culture, ocean, and democracy.

Te Ipukarea Society says open discussion on deep-seabed mining is essential, particularly during an election period when voters deserve to know where candidates and parties stand.

“A healthy democracy must make room for difficult conversations, especially when they concern the environment and the future of the nation,” said Alanna Smith, Director of Te Ipukarea Society. “Deep-seabed mining is not just an environmental issue. It affects our ocean, our people, future generations, and our image as the Cook Islands. That makes it political, because at this rate, the final decisions on the matter are being made at the political level, not by the people.”

For the Society, asking questions about deep-seabed mining is not about creating division, but about ensuring people are informed, engaged, and able to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect them all.

Deep-seabed mining remains a long-term issue with many uncertainties. It requires genuine public discussion, highlighting the pros and cons. There is a real risk that people may feel hesitant to question DSM, particularly in public consultation spaces where power imbalances exist and where support for seabed minerals is carried by influential voices from traditional leadership, churches, and government.

When people fear being seen as opposing progress, creating division, or “stirring up trouble,” the critical thinking needed for both a healthy democracy and a healthy environment is weakened.

Silence should not be mistaken for neutrality or acceptance. Decisions that may affect our ocean, communities, and future generations deserve public scrutiny.

“Critical thinking should not be treated as troublemaking, and public scrutiny should not be seen as disrespect for our decision makers,” Smith added. “If we are a democratic nation, then we must be able to talk openly about decisions that affect us all.”

Deep-seabed mining is also being debated internationally through the International Seabed Authority, where governments, observers, scientists, civil society groups, and political leaders continue to negotiate the future of seabed mining regulations. If these discussions can be given sufficient time and opportunity to take place at the international level, they must also be afforded time and opportunity to take place openly and honestly here at home.

Te Ipukarea Society  says environmental issues cannot be separated from politics when they are shaped by legislation, public institutions, budgets, national policy, leadership decisions, and international negotiations. Bringing DSM into election discussions, including through public platforms such as social media, helps ensure people are informed before decisions are made, not after.

The Cook Islands people deserve to know where candidates and parties stand on an issue that could affect the ocean, communities, and generations to come.

Te Ipukarea Society’s own history shows why environment and politics are often connected. The organisation was established during the financial crisis of the mid-1990s, when government restructuring left the environmental sector seriously under-resourced and weakened environmental protection. That history remains a reminder that political decisions can have lasting consequences for the environment.

While environmental protection should rise above political interests, the reality is that the health of our ocean, land, biodiversity, and communities is shaped by political choices made by politicians not equipped to make them, placing our environment at risk.

That is why speaking up on deep-seabed mining at this moment is necessary. The election makes it important that DSM is not treated as a side issue, but as a matter of national significance requiring public attention, scrutiny, and debate.

At the same time, TIS acknowledges the growing public engagement around DSM. More people are becoming informed, asking questions, and feeling empowered as information comes to light.

“When people feel able to question decisions about their future, democracy is strengthened,” Smith said. Deep-seabed mining should be treated as a serious election issue, not to create division, but because the decisions made now may shape the future health of our ocean, communities, and generations to come.