AGP Executive Report

Lagoon Stewardship: Aitutaki’s 2026–2030 management plan calls for stronger ra’ui protections, fisheries compliance, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal, with commercial-user licences proposed to help fund conservation. Digital Language Preservation: A Mauke-born advocate is building a website using his IT skills to make Cook Islands Māori words, dialects and inherited knowledge more accessible online. Seabed Mining: A U.S. company is seeking permission to explore and mine a vast area of the Pacific’s international waters. The application has not been approved, but its unilateral route raises concerns for ocean governance and the Cook Islands. Health Research: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to check claims that nearly 72 per cent of adults are obese. Coral Science: Researchers at a Cook Islands coral nursery are studying why some corals withstand heat better than others, work that could inform conservation as ocean temperatures rise.

Lagoon Stewardship: Aitutaki’s 2026–2030 lagoon plan calls for stronger ra’ui protection, fisheries enforcement, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal. Language Technology: Mauke-born advocate Marcel Teraimana is developing a website to preserve Cook Islands Māori words, dialects and knowledge online. Deep-Sea Mining: A U.S. company is seeking permits to explore and mine a 65,000-square-kilometre area of the Pacific seabed. The application is not approved, but its unilateral process raises concerns for Cook Islands and regional ocean governance. Coral Research: UC Davis scientists are studying why some Cook Islands corals withstand heat better than others, research that could inform conservation as ocean temperatures rise. Health Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to verify estimates that nearly 72 per cent of Cook Islands adults are obese.

Lagoon Stewardship: Aitutaki’s new 2026–2030 management plan calls for stronger ra’ui protection, fisheries compliance, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal. Language Technology: A Mauke-born advocate is building a website to preserve Cook Islands Māori words, dialects and knowledge online. Coral Research: UC Davis scientists are studying at a Cook Islands coral nursery why some corals survive heat better than others. Seabed Mining: A U.S. company has applied to mine a vast area of the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone through a U.S. process, raising concerns for Cook Islands and international ocean governance; the application has not been approved. Health Data: Te Marae Ora says it is collecting its own obesity data to check widely cited estimates that rank the Cook Islands among the world’s highest.

Lagoon Stewardship: Aitutaki’s 2026–30 management plan calls for stronger ra’ui protection and fisheries compliance, coral restoration and crown-of-thorns starfish removal. Digital Language: Mauke-born advocate Marcel Teraimana is using his IT skills to build a website preserving Cook Islands Māori words, dialects and knowledge. Seabed Mining: A U.S. company is seeking permits to mine a 65,000-square-kilometre area of the Pacific high seas—about 1,000 times Rarotonga’s size. NOAA is reviewing the application, which has not been approved, amid concerns for ocean governance and the Cook Islands. Health Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own obesity data to check the country’s reported global ranking and establish a more accurate picture.

Deep-Sea Mining: US companies’ claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover an area about half the size of seabed already designated by the international regulator. A proposed 65,000-square-kilometre project has not been approved, but the unilateral US process raises concerns for Pacific nations, including the Cook Islands. Coral Research: Scientists are studying coral at a Cook Islands nursery to understand why some survive marine heat better than others, research that could help protect reefs as oceans warm. Local Health Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own obesity data, saying it wants more accurate figures than the global ranking that places the Cook Islands third. Waste Technology: Cook Islands engineers helped build and operate a waste-to-fuel pyrolysis plant in Bali, and hope to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Ocean Surveillance: A Pacific fisheries operation used satellite monitoring and remote sensing across 30.5 million square kilometres, recording more than 27,000 satellite detections and helping identify vessels of interest.

Deep-Sea Mining: A U.S. permit bid covering about 65,000 square kilometres in the Pacific is raising concern in the Cook Islands. The application would bypass the International Seabed Authority’s process; it has not been approved. Health Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own figures to check a global ranking that places the Cook Islands third for obesity, with nearly 72% of adults classified as obese. Local Engineering: Cook Islands technicians helped build and run a waste-to-fuel plant in Bali, and the company hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Marine Science: Researchers at a Cook Islands coral nursery are studying why some corals withstand heat, in a long-term project that could inform climate resilience. Pacific Surveillance: The Fisheries Agency’s latest regional operation used satellite monitoring and remote sensing to track vessels across 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean.

Seabed Mining: A US push to approve deep-sea mining outside international rules is raising concerns for the Cook Islands. Companies’ Pacific claims now cover areas rivaling half the seabed set aside by the International Seabed Authority. Metals Company USA’s proposed 65,000-square-kilometre recovery zone has not been approved, but the competing legal systems could reshape ocean governance and put Pacific interests at stake. Health Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own figures to check claims that nearly 72% of Cook Islands adults are obese, saying it needs more reliable local data. Clean Technology: Cook Islands engineers helped build and run a Bali plant that converts waste into fuel, and the company hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Coral Research: UC Davis researchers are studying why some Cook Islands corals withstand heat better than others, work that could help guide efforts to protect reefs as oceans warm.

Coral Research: UC Davis scientists are studying heat resistance at a Cook Islands coral nursery, investigating why some corals survive warming waters better than others. Deep-Sea Mining: U.S. claims and applications in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover areas equal to about half the seabed already designated for mining by the International Seabed Authority. A proposed U.S. permit remains under review, raising concerns for Pacific nations, including the Cook Islands. Health Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own figures to check a global ranking that puts the Cook Islands third for obesity and estimates nearly 72% of adults are obese. Waste Technology: Cook Islands engineers helped build and run a waste-to-fuel plant in Bali, and the company hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga.

Deep-Sea Mining: U.S. companies have sought rights in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone covering seabed equal to about half the area designated for mining by the International Seabed Authority. One application proposes commercial recovery across 65,000 square kilometres, but has not been approved. Cook Islands advocates warn that the unilateral U.S. process could undermine ocean governance and put marine environments at risk. Public Health Research: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data after an index ranked the Cook Islands third globally for obesity, estimating nearly 72 per cent of adults are obese. Waste-to-Fuel Engineering: A Cook Islands-led team helped build and operate a waste-to-fuel plant in Bali, and hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Pacific Surveillance Technology: A regional fisheries operation used satellite monitoring to track activity across 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean, identifying 13 vessels of interest and leading to one apprehension.

Deep-Sea Mining: U.S. companies’ claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover an area about half the size of seabed already designated for mining by the international regulator. One proposed commercial zone is about 1,000 times Rarotonga’s size. Permits have not been approved, but the unilateral U.S. process is raising concerns for Cook Islands and Pacific ocean governance. Health Data: Te Marae Ora is collecting its own data to verify a global ranking that puts nearly 72 per cent of Cook Islands adults in the obese category. Pacific Surveillance: A regional fisheries operation used satellite monitoring to scan 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean, recording more than 27,000 detections and helping apprehend one vessel. Waste Technology: A Cook Islands-led engineering team helped build and run a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel, with plans to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Conservation Science: Decades of rat control helped the endangered kākerōri recover from just 29 birds in 1989 to at least 618 in a 2022 count.

Deep-Sea Mining: U.S. companies’ claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover an area roughly half the size already designated for mining by the International Seabed Authority. A separate 65,000-square-kilometre permit application is under review, raising concerns for Cook Islands’ marine interests and ocean governance. Pacific Voyaging: New DNA research links the settlement of Hawaii to seafarers from the Easter Island region, adding to evidence of the remarkable voyages that shaped Polynesia. Waste-to-Fuel Engineering: A Cook Islands-led team helped build and run a waste-to-fuel plant in Bali, and hopes to bring the pyrolysis technology to Rarotonga. Fisheries Surveillance: The Pacific Fisheries Agency used satellite monitoring in its largest surveillance operation of 2026, recording more than 27,000 detections across 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean. Conservation Science: Decades of rat control helped Rarotonga’s endangered kākerōri recover from just 29 birds in 1989 to at least 618 in a 2022 count.

Seabed Mining: New analysis finds U.S.-backed claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone cover areas equivalent to about half the seabed already designated for mining by the international regulator, with some claims overlapping. A separate U.S. permit bid covering 65,000 square kilometres has raised concerns about ocean governance and risks for the Cook Islands. Pacific Surveillance: A regional fisheries operation used satellite monitoring to scan 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean, recording more than 27,000 detections and apprehending one vessel. Waste Technology: Cook Islands engineers helped build and run a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel; the company hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Pacific Research: A new DNA study links the settlement histories of Hawaii and Rapa Nui, shedding light on the long-distance voyages that shaped Polynesia. Cyclone Science: Cook Islands forecasters tracked early-season Cyclone Wati as it moved through local waters, urging communities to prepare for damaging winds, heavy rain and rough seas.

Seabed Mining: A U.S. company has applied for permission to explore and mine a 65,000-square-kilometre area of the Pacific seabed under U.S. law, outside the International Seabed Authority process. The application is not approved, but the bid raises concerns for Cook Islands and regional ocean governance. Waste-to-Fuel Engineering: A Cook Islands-led team helped build and run a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel, and hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Ocean Protection: More than US$25 million in grants will support marine conservation across the Pacific, including work to advance the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Fisheries Surveillance: A regional operation used satellite monitoring to track activity across 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean, recording 27,000 detections and apprehending one vessel. Pacific Science: New DNA research suggests Polynesian voyagers settled Hawaii from the Easter Island region, extending migration routes previously traced through the Cook Islands.

Seabed Mining: The Metals Company USA has applied for U.S. permits to explore and mine a 65,000-square-kilometre Pacific zone, using a domestic process outside the International Seabed Authority. NOAA has not approved the permits; public comments are open through 19 October, with potential consequences for Cook Islands ocean governance. Waste-to-Fuel Engineering: A Cook Islands-led team helped build and run a Bali plant that turns waste into fuel, and hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Ocean Monitoring: A regional fisheries operation used satellite surveillance to record more than 27,000 vessel detections across 30.5 million square kilometres, strengthening efforts to spot illegal fishing. Cyclone Science: As Cyclone Wati brought risks of heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas, Cook Islands meteorologists urged residents to follow official updates and prepare. Pacific Research: A new DNA study suggests voyagers from the Easter Island region settled Hawaii, extending research into Polynesian routes that passed through the Cook Islands. Ocean Conservation: Bezos Earth Fund grants will support the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision and other Pacific protection efforts.

Seabed Mining: Deep Sea Minerals welcomed U.S. Treasury support for considering deep-sea mining and said it is evaluating Cook Islands opportunities. The move comes as a U.S. application to mine a vast Pacific area faces opposition from Te Ipukarea Society; NOAA has not approved the permits, and public consultation closes today. Cyclone Monitoring: Tropical Cyclone Wati prompted Cook Islands weather alerts as it moved toward the southern islands, with officials urging residents to follow updates and prepare for strong winds, rain and rough seas. Waste-to-Fuel Engineering: A Cook Islands-led team helped build and run a Bali plant that converts waste into fuel, and hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Fisheries Surveillance: The Pacific’s largest fisheries monitoring operation of 2026 used satellite detection and remote-sensing tools across 30.5 million square kilometres, recording more than 27,000 satellite detections and identifying 13 vessels of interest.

Cyclone Monitoring: Tropical Cyclone Wati, the region’s first cyclone of the season, is moving toward the Southern Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Meteorological Service warned of damaging winds, heavy rain and rough seas near Aitutaki, urging residents to follow updates and prepare. Waste-to-Fuel Engineering: A Cook Islands-led team helped build and run a waste-to-fuel pyrolysis plant in Bali. The project has passed Indonesian environmental testing, and its company hopes to bring the technology to Rarotonga. Deep-Sea Mining: Te Ipukarea Society warned that a US bid to approve seabed mineral exploration and mining could affect Pacific ocean governance. The application is under review, not approved, and public consultation closes October 19. Conservation Science: Decades of rat control have helped Rarotonga’s endemic kākerōri rebound from just 29 birds in 1989 to at least 618 counted in 2022. Fisheries Surveillance: The Pacific fisheries agency’s largest surveillance operation of 2026 used satellite monitoring and remote sensing across 30.5 million square kilometres, identifying 13 vessels of interest and resulting in one apprehension.