Concerns Over Seabed Mining in Cook Islands

Local environmental groups in the Cook Islands are urging the government to conduct a comprehensive survey to determine public support for seabed mining before further action is taken.

The Issue at Hand

Marine biologist Dr Teina Rongo, chairperson of non-governmental organisation Korero o te Orau, called for balanced education and awareness campaigns to ensure all Cook Islanders, including those on the outer islands, are fully informed about the potential impacts of seabed mining.

Dr Rongo made this call after a Facebook exchange between Korero o te Orau and the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), where Korero o te Orau’s logo was included in a presentation slide during SBMA’s consultation in New Zealand, implying the NGO’s involvement and support for seabed mining.

NGO Criticism of SBMA

Korero o te Orau criticised the presentation as misleading, stating that it was a misuse of their logos.

“Your heading is misleading as it states we are involved but doesn’t clarify how. It’s a misuse of our logos,” Korero o te Orau stated in a statement on its Facebook page.

SBMA acknowledged Korero o te Orau’s comment and committed to removing logos from future presentations.

Criticism from Opposition Leader

Opposition leader Tina Browne earlier stated that the trip to New Zealand was a “promotion not consultation”.

Browne suggested that the SBMA did not include any opposition members or representatives from non-government organisations, “so that only one view was promoted at the meetings”.

Concerns Over Economic Benefits and Environmental Impacts

Dr Rongo also criticised the lack of meaningful engagement with local NGOs, saying their roles in the Technical Advisory Group for Marae Moana often feel tokenistic.

June Hosking, president of Te Ipukarea Society (TIS), another Rarotonga-based NGO, said the Government must rethink its consultation processes.

“Representatives from the four pillars of society – community, culture, economy, and environment – be included to provide a more balanced perspective,” she suggested.

Renewable Energy and Seabed Mining

Hosking also challenged the notion that seabed mining is essential for the transition to clean energy.

“At the Blue Planet Alliance forum, they made it clear that DSM (deep-sea mining) is not necessary for renewable energy. If ecosystems are destroyed in the process, can we really call it clean energy?”

Environmental Groups Stress Prioritisation of Natural Heritage

Environmental groups are stressing that the Government must prioritise the interests of Cook Islanders and the country’s natural heritage over economic gains.

“This is about more than just the economy; it’s about protecting our environment and ensuring that decisions are made with the full knowledge and consent of our people,” TIS’s Hosking said.

Conclusion

The debate over seabed mining in Cook Islands highlights concerns over economic benefits, environmental impacts, and public engagement. Local environmental groups stress the need for a comprehensive survey to determine public support before further action is taken.

-This article was first published by Cook Islands News.