Author: TIS-Redesign

  • Why the Cook Islands must rethink deep-sea mining

    Advances in technology and evolving supply chains are reducing the long-term reliance on ocean minerals for the green transition. Instead, these minerals are increasingly valued for strategic and military purposes,…

  • Beneath the surface: Deep-sea mining or deep-sea surveillance?

    A year-long investigation by Mongabay, in partnership with CNN, has uncovered troubling insights into China’s expanding deep-sea mining fleet, raising questions that extend far beyond resource extraction.

  • One Pacific: Finding common ground in environmental work and storytelling

    While the vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean physically separate our island countries, a recent regional gathering in Fiji has highlighted just how much common ground exists between us.

  • Regional efforts strengthen response to invasive species

    Have you ever wondered how invasive species make their way into a country? In the past, most arrived by ship, often accidentally. Today, they can also enter by plane. Some…

  • New predator control traps installed in Takuvaine cloud forest

    Efforts to protect vulnerable seabirds nesting on the ground in the upper high altitude ecosystems of the Takuvaine Valley have received an important boost with the installation of new predator…

  • Continuing service with VSA at Te Ipukarea Society

    Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is a New Zealand-based NGO that partners with communities throughout the Pacific to support locally driven initiatives.

  • Why deep seabed mining could arrive much sooner than we were led to believe

    In February 2022, the Cook Islands Government awarded three exploration licences for deep seabed mining. Initially valid for five years, these licences were intended to facilitate rigorous scientific inquiry. Now,…

  • Lessons from my time at Te Ipukarea Society (TIS)

    Kia Orana, my name is Moeana Mitchell and I decided to do a three-week internship at Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) before I leave for university. I chose to join the…

  • We need longer term solutions to dengue

    According to the Relief Web website, as of 10th February the Cook Islands has had 614 probable, confirmed and suspected cases of dengue to date.  No doubt there have been…

  • The deep-sea double standard: Why the Cook Islands is building a supply chain for a decision it claims not to have made

    The recent signing of the Strategic Framework for Critical Minerals Research and Supply Chain Security between the United States and the Cook Islands raises some questions around the integrity of…