AGP Executive Report

Aitutaki Lagoon: The new 2026–2030 management plan calls for stronger ra’ui and fisheries enforcement, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal. Mayor Nicholas Henry urged renewed stewardship of the lagoon. Deep-Sea Mining: Deep Sea Minerals has proposed a US listing and says it is evaluating opportunities in the Cook Islands. Separately, companies’ US claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover an area about half the size of seabed areas set aside by the international regulator, raising concerns about oversight and marine impacts. Native Conservation: Takitumu Conservation Area is drawing cruise visitors while protecting native birds and plants, including the endangered Kakerori, whose population once fell to just 29. Climate Resilience: Work to strengthen Mauke Hospital includes a new roof, improved rainwater collection and storage, climate-resilient materials and planned solar infrastructure. Regional Support: The Asian Development Bank’s new five-year Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands, with priorities covering climate-resilient infrastructure and essential services.

Pacific Resilience: The Asian Development Bank’s new five-year strategy includes the Cook Islands and prioritises climate-resilient infrastructure, essential services and stronger local capacity. Aitutaki Lagoon: A new 2026–2030 management plan calls for stronger ra’ui protection and fisheries compliance, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal to safeguard the lagoon. Mauke Hospital: Climate-resilient upgrades are underway, including a new roof, better rainwater collection and storage, and planned solar infrastructure. Conservation: Takitumu Conservation Area continues to draw international visitors, showcasing efforts to protect native birds and plants, including the once critically endangered kakerori. Ocean Protection: A US company’s application seeks permission to explore and potentially mine a 65,000-square-kilometre area of the Pacific seabed. The proposal has not been approved and has raised concerns about marine impacts and international ocean governance.

Lagoon Stewardship: Aitutaki has launched its 2026–2030 lagoon plan, calling for stronger ra’ui protection and fisheries enforcement, coral restoration, crown-of-thorns starfish removal and possible commercial-user licences to help fund care. Conservation: Takitumu Conservation Area’s guided tours are drawing international visitors to see native wildlife and learn how conservation helped bring the endangered kakerori back from the brink. Climate Resilience: Work at Mauke Hospital includes a stronger roof, improved rainwater collection and storage, and plans for solar infrastructure, as part of a Cook Islands-wide resilience project. Cyclone Recovery: After early-season Cyclone Wati struck Aitutaki, clean-up and damage assessments began. Prime Minister Mark Brown said the storm’s timing underscored concerns about changing weather patterns. Deep-Sea Mining: A U.S. company is seeking permits for a proposed 65,000-square-kilometre mining area in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone, raising concerns in the Cook Islands about unilateral seabed mining and risks to ocean governance and marine environments. Tourism Policy: Public consultation is open on a national tourism policy that aims to balance the industry’s contribution to communities, culture, the environment and the economy.

Lagoon Stewardship: Aitutaki launched its 2026–2030 lagoon plan, calling for stronger ra’ui protection and fisheries compliance, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal. Conservation: Takitumu Conservation Area is drawing international visitors to learn about efforts to protect native birds and plants, including the endangered Kakerori. Climate Resilience: Work has begun to strengthen Mauke Hospital with climate-resilient materials, improved rainwater collection and storage, and solar infrastructure. Cyclone Wati’s early arrival has also sharpened concerns about changing weather patterns as communities shift to recovery. Deep-Sea Mining: A US company is seeking permission to explore and commercially mine a 65,000-square-kilometre area of the Pacific seabed—an application not yet approved that raises concerns for Cook Islands and international ocean governance.

Lagoon Stewardship: Aitutaki has launched its 2026–2030 lagoon plan, calling for stronger ra’ui protection and fisheries compliance, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal. The five-year plan now needs action to safeguard the lagoon for future generations. Conservation: Rarotonga’s Takitumu Conservation Area is welcoming international visitors to learn about the reserve’s native birds and plants, and its work to protect the endangered kakerori. Climate Resilience: Upgrades at Mauke Hospital include a stronger roof, improved rainwater collection and storage, and solar infrastructure to help the facility withstand climate impacts. Seabed Mining: A US application seeks a commercial recovery area of about 65,000 square kilometres in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The permit has not been approved, but the push to mine beyond national waters raises concerns for ocean protection and the Cook Islands.

Climate-Ready Health: Work has begun to strengthen Mauke Hospital against climate impacts, including a new roof, better rainwater collection and storage, and plans for solar power. The upgrade is part of a wider Cook Islands programme to build more resilient health facilities. Deep-Sea Mining: U.S. companies are seeking rights to seabed areas in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone, with claims now rivaling half the area designated by the international regulator. One proposed commercial recovery area covers about 65,000 square kilometres. The permit has not been approved, but the unilateral U.S. process is raising concerns for the Cook Islands and ocean governance. Cyclone Recovery: After Cyclone Wati passed through the Southern Cook Islands, Prime Minister Mark Brown said damage assessments and clean-up were underway, with Aitutaki bearing the storm’s full force. Wati arrived before the official cyclone season, raising fresh concerns about changing weather patterns. Waste Solutions: A Cook Islands engineering team helped build and operate a waste-to-fuel plant in Bali, and is now looking to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Cyclone Recovery: Aitutaki is assessing damage and cleaning up after Cyclone Wati, which arrived before the official cyclone season. The early storm has renewed concern about changing weather patterns. Deep-Sea Mining: A US-backed bid to mine a 65,000-square-kilometre patch of the Pacific seabed is fuelling concern over marine impacts and international ocean governance. The permit remains unapproved, while wider US claims in the high seas are growing rapidly. Tourism Policy: Public consultation is open on a Cook Islands tourism policy intended to guide the industry’s impact on communities, culture and the environment. Waste Innovation: Cook Islands engineers helped build and operate a waste-to-fuel plant in Bali, and hope to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Tourism and Environment: Public consultation has opened on the Cook Islands’ draft National Tourism Policy, inviting communities to shape tourism’s impact on the environment, culture and local life. Deep-Sea Mining: US-backed claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover areas rivaling half the seabed designated by the international regulator. Te Ipukarea Society warns a US application for a 65,000-square-kilometre recovery area could threaten ocean governance and the Cook Islands’ interests; no permit has been approved. Cyclone Recovery: After Cyclone Wati hit Aitutaki, Prime Minister Mark Brown says clean-up and damage assessments are under way, with support being organised for affected communities. The storm arrived before the official cyclone season, renewing concern about changing weather patterns. Waste Solutions: Cook Islands engineers helped build and run a Bali plant that converts waste into fuel, and are looking to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Climate Resilience: The Asian Development Bank’s new five-year Pacific strategy puts climate resilience and island-ready infrastructure among its priorities, including for the Cook Islands. Tourism and Environment: Public consultation is open on the draft Cook Islands National Tourism Policy, which aims to shape tourism’s contribution to communities, culture and the environment. Cyclone Recovery: After early-season Cyclone Wati struck Aitutaki, Prime Minister Mark Brown says clean-up and damage assessments are under way, with support being organised for affected communities. Deep-Sea Mining: Cook Islands environmental advocates warn a US bid to pursue seabed mining in international waters could threaten ocean governance and the marine environment; the proposed area is about 1,000 times the size of Rarotonga. Waste Innovation: A Cook Islands engineering team helped build a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel and hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Deep-Sea Mining: US companies’ claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover seabed areas approaching half the size designated by the international regulator. A proposed 65,000-square-kilometre mining area has not been approved, but Cook Islands advocates warn that unilateral US permits could undermine ocean governance and put marine environments at risk. Cyclone Recovery: After Cyclone Wati struck Aitutaki, the government began clean-up and damage assessments. The storm arrived before the official cyclone season, renewing concern about changing weather patterns. Climate Resilience: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–2030 Pacific strategy puts climate resilience and infrastructure suited to island communities among its priorities. Tourism Planning: Public consultation has opened on the Cook Islands’ draft tourism policy, which aims to shape tourism’s contribution to communities, culture and the environment. Renewable Energy: A new partnership could install solar panels on suitable government rooftops across Rarotonga, supporting renewable power and public infrastructure.

Cyclone Recovery: After Tropical Cyclone Wati hit Aitutaki, Prime Minister Mark Brown says damage assessments and clean-up are underway, with support being organised for affected communities. The storm arrived before the official cyclone season. Deep-Sea Mining: A US company is seeking permits to explore and mine a 65,000-square-kilometre area of the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The bid raises concerns for marine life and international ocean governance; wider US claims now cover seabed areas about half the size of those designated by the international regulator. Tourism Policy: Public consultation is open on a national tourism policy, with residents invited to shape how the industry serves communities, culture and the environment. Renewable Energy: A new partnership could add solar panels to government rooftops across Rarotonga, generating clean power and potential revenue for public infrastructure. Waste Solutions: Cook Islands engineers helped build and operate a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel, and hope to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Cyclone Recovery: After Tropical Cyclone Wati struck Aitutaki, Prime Minister Mark Brown says clean-up and damage assessments are under way, with support being organised for affected communities. The storm arrived before cyclone season, raising fresh concerns about changing weather patterns. Regional Resilience: A new five-year Asian Development Bank strategy includes the Cook Islands and aims to strengthen climate resilience, infrastructure and essential services across 12 Pacific nations. Seabed Mining: US-backed applications to mine the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone are intensifying concerns about marine impacts and international ocean governance. One proposed recovery area covers about 65,000 square kilometres; Cook Islands advocates warn unilateral approvals could have far-reaching consequences. Clean Energy and Waste: A new partnership plans solar panels on suitable government rooftops in Rarotonga, while a Cook Islands engineering team hopes to bring Bali-tested waste-to-fuel technology home.

Deep-Sea Mining: U.S. companies’ claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now rival about half the area designated for mining by the International Seabed Authority. A separate application seeks permission to explore and mine 65,000 square kilometres, raising concerns about ocean protection and international oversight; it has not been approved. Cyclone Wati: Aitutaki escaped the Category 2 storm relatively unscathed, though rough seas, damaged power lines and evacuations affected residents. The early cyclone, developing during El Niño, adds to warnings of elevated activity this season. Renewable Energy: A new partnership aims to install solar panels on suitable government rooftops across Rarotonga, generating clean electricity and potential revenue for public infrastructure. Waste Solutions: Cook Islands engineers helped build and run a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel, and the company hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Seabed Mining: A US licensing bid for mining in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone is raising concerns for Cook Islands and ocean governance. The proposed area is about 1,000 times the size of Rarotonga; no permit has been approved. Cyclone Wati: Aitutaki escaped the Category 2 storm relatively unscathed, though rough seas, powerful winds and damaged power lines prompted evacuations and emergency preparations. Renewable Energy: Government rooftops across Rarotonga could host solar panels under a new partnership, adding clean power and potential revenue for public infrastructure. Waste Solutions: Cook Islands engineers helped build and operate a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel, and now hope to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Cyclone Wati: Aitutaki escaped major damage as Category 2 Wati swept through the Southern Cook Islands, but powerful waves and winds knocked out power lines and forced seven people from stilt homes. The system is moving southeast into open waters. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society warns a US company’s bid to mine a vast area of the Pacific could weaken ocean governance and affect Pacific states. The Cook Islands is also named as a place where Deep Sea Minerals Corp is assessing exploration opportunities. Clean Energy and Waste: A new partnership aims to install solar panels on suitable government rooftops in Rarotonga. Separately, Cook Islands engineers who helped build a Bali waste-to-fuel plant hope to bring the technology home.

Cyclone Wati: The early-season storm swept through the Southern Cook Islands as a Category 2 system. Aitutaki escaped major damage, though powerful winds, rough seas and evacuations tested island preparedness. Forecasters warn of elevated cyclone activity in parts of the Pacific this coming season. Renewable Energy: A new partnership could add solar panels to suitable government rooftops across Rarotonga, generating clean power and potential revenue for public infrastructure. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is backing Pacific conservation efforts, including work to advance the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society warns that a US company’s bid to pursue deep-sea mining under US law could undermine international ocean governance. The proposed area spans about 65,000 square kilometres; no permit has been approved. Waste Solutions: Cook Islands engineers helped build and operate a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel, and hope to bring the technology to Rarotonga.