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 organisation because of my strong interest in the work they do to protect our environment, and because I hope to study environmental law in the future. I saw this internship as a valuable opportunity to better understand the environmental challenges our island faces and to gain practical experience in the field I want to pursue. Throughout my time at TIS I got to observe how the organisation engages with the community and raises awareness about the current threats to our environment. I saw how important it is not only to advocate for conservation at a policy level but also ensure that local communities are informed and involved. Environmental protection is most effective when people understand what is at stake and feel connected to the solutions.

During the internship, I had the chance to participate in a variety of different activities, and one of these tasks included working on management plans. This gave me the opportunity to draft my own management plan for Takutea, a very special and ecologically significant uninhabited island. I was also involved in policy reviews, where I learned how to evaluate regulations such as the Cook Islands Environmental Bill and the Cook Island Seabed Minerals Act. This experience was particularly valuable because it introduced me to the legal frameworks that govern environmental management in the Cook Islands. I gained insight into how policies are structured, how they can be strengthened, and how they balance economic interest with environmental protection. This reinforced my desire to study environmental law and contribute to the development of strong, effective legislation in the future. In addition to office-based work, I also had the opportunity to hike up Te Kou to check nesting sea bird monitoring cameras and visit the Takitumu Conservation Area. These experiences allowed me to see conservation efforts in action and deepened my appreciation for the biodiversity of our island. Being out in nature reminded me why environmental protection is so important, and why it deserves dedicated advocacy and careful management.

Overall, it is through these experiences that I was able to strengthen my knowledge of the environment and identify areas where we need to take action to preserve it. By analysing different policies and regulations I got to gain valuable insight into the legal aspect of protecting our environment, which I am very grateful for. In terms of impact, I have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges our environment faces, and I hope to use this knowledge to advocate for positive change in the future.

My aspirations are to continue my studies of law, with a focus on sustainability and conservation of the environment. I aim to work towards creating and implementing effective environmental policies that will protect our island for future generations.