AGP Executive Report

Cyclone Wati: A tropical depression in Cook Islands waters has strengthened into a Category 1 cyclone, unusually early ahead of the official season. Suwarrow is under a warning, with alerts for Palmerston and Aitutaki; officials urge residents to secure homes, check supplies and follow weather updates. El Niño is contributing to the early development. Renewable Energy: Government rooftops across Rarotonga could host solar panels under a new partnership, adding renewable power and potential revenue for public infrastructure. Ocean Protection: More than US$25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants will support conservation across five Pacific nations, including advancing the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Climate Impacts: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and fishing activity through 2027, while forecasters expect elevated cyclone activity in parts of the Pacific. Waste: Cook Islands communities collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish during September’s World Clean-up Day. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to assess commercial mining’s economic risks alongside its environmental and technical impacts.

Cyclone Alert: A tropical cyclone alert is in force as depression TD01F moves towards the Southern Cook Islands, with a possible category 1 system expected within 12–18 hours. Residents are urged to secure roofs and loose items and prepare for power outages. Renewable Energy: Government rooftops across Rarotonga could host solar panels under a new CIIC–Sunergise partnership, helping expand renewable generation and fund public infrastructure. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for Pacific conservation, including support to advance the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Climate Outlook: A strong El Niño could bring more cyclone activity and shift tuna distribution, with possible impacts on fisheries and the southern Cook Islands. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to assess economic risks alongside environmental concerns and call a moratorium. Community Action: World Clean-up Day efforts collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish across the Cook Islands.

Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including support to advance the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. The grants cover more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Cyclone Outlook: A regional forecast warns of seven to 11 named cyclones this season, with at least four potentially reaching Category 3 or higher. Activity may rise east of the International Date Line, and a strong El Niño could bring an early start. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to weigh economic risks alongside environmental concerns as it considers commercial mining; the society has called for a moratorium. Climate Pressures: El Niño is expected to shift tuna grounds and fishing activity into 2027, while the southern Cook Islands may face reduced rainfall. Community Action: Cook Islands clean-up efforts collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish from beaches, roadsides and villages across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.

Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including support for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. The grants aim to help protect and manage more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Severe Weather: A strong El Niño could bring an early start to cyclone season, with elevated activity forecast in parts of the Southwest Pacific. It may also shift tuna grounds and reduce rainfall in the southern Cook Islands, affecting fisheries and local communities. Waste: Cook Islands communities collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish during September’s World Clean-up Day, including waste from Rarotonga and Mauke. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to assess economic risks alongside environmental concerns as it considers commercial seabed mining. Climate Finance: Prime Minister Mark Brown joined Pacific leaders in calling for climate funding to reach vulnerable communities faster, saying the region cannot wait for more promises.

Cyclone Outlook: A strong El Niño could bring an early start to the November–April cyclone season, with elevated activity forecast across parts of the Southwest Pacific. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for Pacific conservation, including work to advance the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. El Niño Impacts: Warmer seas are expected to shift tuna fishing patterns into 2027; the southern Cook Islands are also among areas warned of possible reduced rainfall. Pa Enua Resilience: A New Zealand-led mission to Penrhyn installed solar stills and improved water infrastructure, supporting the remote atoll’s resilience. Climate Finance: Cook Islands leaders are pressing for funding to reach vulnerable communities faster, while new pledges to the Pacific Resilience Facility remain well below its target. Waste: Cook Islands communities collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish during September’s World Clean-up Day. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging rigorous assessment of economic and environmental risks as the country considers commercial deep-sea mining.

Climate Finance: Pacific Islands Forum chair Surangel Whipps urged greater climate investment, pushing back at criticism focused on the cost and attendance of Pre-COP. Cook Islands leaders say funding must reach communities faster, while the Pacific Resilience Facility remains below its targets. El Niño: A very strong event is expected to disrupt tuna fisheries into 2027 and could bring reduced rainfall to the southern Cook Islands. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is granting more than US$25 million for Pacific conservation, including work to advance the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Waste: Cook Islands communities collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish during World Clean-up Day, including waste from Rarotonga and Mauke. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to weigh economic risks carefully and calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.

Penrhyn Resilience: A six-week New Zealand Defence Force mission upgraded water systems, school facilities and cyclone shelter infrastructure on remote Tongareva, including solar stills and water tanks. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is granting more than US$25 million across five Pacific nations, supporting Cook Islands efforts to advance the Marae Moana vision. Climate and Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna distribution and fishing activity into 2027, while bringing reduced rainfall to the southern Cook Islands. Climate Finance: At Pre-COP31, Prime Minister Mark Brown urged partners to turn climate pledges into funding that reaches vulnerable communities faster. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is calling for a moratorium and stronger scrutiny of the economic and environmental risks of commercial deep-sea mining. Community Action: Cook Islands clean-ups collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish, while seabird research highlighted the birds’ role in supporting island and reef ecosystems.

Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is directing more than US$25 million to conservation across five Pacific nations, including support for advancing the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Fisheries and Climate: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna grounds and disrupt Pacific fisheries into 2027; the Southern Cook Islands may also face reduced rainfall. Climate Finance: Prime Minister Mark Brown joined Pacific leaders in pressing for faster, more accessible climate funding. The Pacific Resilience Facility has raised just under US$200 million, short of its US$500 million target for COP31. Local Clean-up: Cook Islands communities collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish during World Clean-up Day, including over 1.1 tonnes on Rarotonga. Seabed Mining: As exploration continues, Te Ipukarea Society is urging rigorous scrutiny of economic risks and calling for a moratorium on commercial mining.

Penrhyn Support: A six-week NZDF exercise has delivered infrastructure and hydrographic support to remote Penrhyn, working alongside local residents. Fisheries Outlook: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates through 2027, while bringing drier conditions to the southern Cook Islands. Ocean Protection: More than US$25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants will support Pacific marine conservation, including expanding protection in the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana. Climate Finance: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown joined Pacific leaders in calling for climate funding to reach vulnerable communities faster; new pledges for the Pacific Resilience Facility remain well below its targets. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging rigorous assessment of economic risks as exploration continues, with no commercial mining approved. Clean-up: Cook Islands communities collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish during World Clean-up Day, including over 1.1 tonnes on Rarotonga. Island Biodiversity: The National Environment Service says seabirds help nourish island soils and nearby reefs, strengthening the case for linking seabird monitoring with habitat restoration and predator control.

El Niño Watch: A very strong El Niño is more than 90% likely to develop, with effects expected into 2027. Southern Cook Islands may face reduced rainfall, while warmer seas could shift tuna grounds and disrupt catches. Ocean Protection: Jeff Bezos’s Earth Fund is backing Pacific marine conservation, including expanded protection for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana park. Waste Action: World Clean-up Day efforts across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish, including plastics, glass and bulky waste. Climate Finance: At Pre-COP31, Prime Minister Mark Brown urged partners to turn pledges into support that reaches communities, warning that island families cannot wait. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is calling for rigorous assessment of economic risks alongside environmental concerns as the Cook Islands continues exploration.

Fisheries & Climate: A strengthening El Niño could shift tuna grounds and fishing activity through 2027, while bringing reduced rainfall to the southern Cook Islands. Ocean Protection: More than US$25 million in new Pacific marine-conservation funding includes support to expand protection in Marae Moana. Climate Finance: Prime Minister Mark Brown joined Pacific leaders in pressing donors to get adaptation funding to communities faster; new Pacific Resilience Facility pledges remain well below its targets. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging rigorous assessment of economic risks and a moratorium as Cook Islands mineral exploration continues. Local Action: World Clean-up Day crews collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.

Climate Action: At Pre-COP31, Prime Minister Mark Brown urged climate finance to reach communities faster. Pacific leaders say the region’s resilience fund remains below its US$500 million target, while a further US$300 million for Pacific projects is due before the Green Climate Fund board. Local Priorities: The Government and UN reviewed a US$15.4 million programme, including work on climate change, agriculture and biodiversity. Waste: World Clean-up Day volunteers collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, while a National Environment Service campaign also promoted ways to reduce and reuse plastic. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is calling for closer scrutiny of commercial mining’s economic risks and a moratorium as the Cook Islands continues exploration. Island Ecology: New findings highlight seabirds’ role in carrying marine nutrients onto islands, supporting land productivity and nearby reefs—a case for linking bird monitoring with habitat restoration and predator control.

Community Clean-ups: World Clean-up Day volunteers collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, including plastics, glass and bulky waste. Further Pa Enua results are still coming in. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging a moratorium, warning that economic risks deserve as much scrutiny as environmental impacts. The Seabed Minerals Authority says exploration—not commercial mining—continues, with licences due for renewal in 2027. Climate Finance: At Pre-COP31, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown pressed partners to turn repeated promises into funding that reaches communities. New pledges bring the Pacific Resilience Facility to just under $200 million, still short of its $500 million target; a further $300 million in Green Climate Fund financing may go before its board this month. Nature and Pollution: The National Environment Service highlighted seabirds’ role in sustaining island and reef ecosystems, while a Plastic2Paradise competition encouraged practical ways to reduce and reuse plastic.

Community Clean-up: World Clean-up Day volunteers collected more than 1.2 tonnes of rubbish across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, clearing beaches, roadsides, passages and villages. Deep-sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging a moratorium and stronger assessment of economic as well as environmental risks, while the Seabed Minerals Authority says exploration will continue and no commercial mining has been approved. Climate Finance: After Pre-COP31 talks in Tuvalu and Fiji, Prime Minister Mark Brown said the Pacific cannot wait for promised support, pressing for climate finance to reach communities faster. New funding pledges for the Pacific Resilience Facility bring its total to just under $200 million—well short of its $500 million target after COP31. Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund has committed more than $25 million to ocean projects across five Pacific nations, including the Cook Islands. Island Ecology: Cook Islands environment officials say seabirds help move marine nutrients onto islands, supporting land productivity and nearby reefs; they are exploring improved monitoring and habitat restoration.

Climate Action: Prime Minister Mark Brown returned from Pre-COP31 saying the Pacific cannot wait for promised help. He wants climate finance to reach communities faster, and says lessons from Tuvalu’s coastal adaptation project could guide Cook Islands planning. Climate Funding: Pacific leaders say years of talks have brought too little practical support. New pledges of about US$15 million leave the Pacific Resilience Facility below US$200 million, short of its US$500 million goal; another US$300 million in Green Climate Fund support is due for consideration. Island Ecosystems: Cook Islands environment officials brought home lessons from a seabird conference, where researchers highlighted how seabirds carry nutrients from sea to land and can support island, coastal and reef ecosystems. Plastic Pollution: The National Environment Service’s Plastic2Paradise competition showcased community ideas for reducing, reusing and repurposing plastic. Seabed Minerals: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says exploration will continue, with no commercial mining approved; any future proposal would require environmental assessment and relevant approvals.

Climate Finance: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown joined Pacific leaders in demanding climate funding that reaches communities faster. The Green Climate Fund may put another US$300 million in regional support to its board this month, while new Pacific Resilience Facility pledges of about US$15 million bring its total to just under US$200 million—well short of its US$500 million post-COP31 target. Seabird Protection: Cook Islands National Environment Service researchers highlighted how seabirds carry marine nutrients onto islands, supporting land and reef ecosystems. The conference findings point to the value of pairing seabird monitoring with predator control and habitat restoration. Ocean Conservation: More than US$25 million in Bezos Earth Fund grants will support conservation across five Pacific nations, including the Cook Islands, covering more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Seabed Mining: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says exploration will continue, with no commercial harvesting approved; exploration licences come up for renewal in 2027. Plastic and Biodiversity: A National Environment Service competition promoted ways to cut and reuse plastic, while a report on common mynas recalled how birds introduced to control coconut pests later spread and harmed native species and crops.