AGP Executive Report

Cyclone Watch: A tropical cyclone alert is in force as depression TD01F moves towards the Southern Cook Islands, with strengthening possible within 12–18 hours. Secure loose items, check emergency supplies and follow official updates; boat operators should avoid unsafe conditions. Indigenous Research: Rarotonga will host more than 600 delegates in November for a gathering on Indigenous health, environmental knowledge and emerging technologies, including AI. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is granting more than US$25 million across five Pacific nations, including support for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Island Science: Cook Islands environment officials say seabird research is exploring tools such as acoustic recorders, drones and AI, with targeted monitoring of local species a possible next step. AI’s Footprint: A Cook Islands commentary warns that AI’s behind-the-scenes energy and water demands raise ethical questions for island communities, even as the tools help local groups create content and prepare proposals.

Indigenous Research: Rarotonga will host more than 600 delegates in November for a conference on Indigenous health, environmental knowledge and emerging technologies, including AI. Health Technology: Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga identified AI, health data and research as priorities for stronger regional health systems. Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is providing more than US$25 million for Pacific marine protection, including advancing the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Climate and Fisheries: A strong El Niño could shift tuna fishing grounds and reduce catches into 2027, while also raising cyclone risks across parts of the Pacific. Local Science: Cook Islands environment officials are considering acoustic recorders and other monitoring tools to study seabirds, including the Kopeka and Mo‘omo‘o. Seabed Research: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says the country remains in exploration and research, with no commercial seabed mining approved.

Indigenous Research: Rarotonga will host more than 600 delegates in November for an international conference on Indigenous health, environmental systems and advanced technologies, including AI. Climate and Fisheries: A developing strong El Niño could raise cyclone activity across the Southwest Pacific this season and shift tuna distribution and catches through 2027, with potential impacts on the southern Cook Islands. Remote Island Resilience: A New Zealand-led deployment to Penrhyn completed school and community upgrades, installed five solar stills and carried out maritime surveying. Ocean Conservation: Bezos Earth Fund grants worth more than US$25 million will support ocean protection across five Pacific nations, including advancing the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Digital Health: Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga named AI, health data and research as regional priorities. Skills Training: CITTI electrical and construction students teamed up to build and wire a cabin, gaining practical experience across trades.

Indigenous Knowledge & Technology: Rarotonga will welcome more than 600 delegates to a November Indigenous health and knowledge conference, with advanced technologies and AI among the topics and a dedicated youth forum. Climate Risks: A developing strong El Niño could bring an early, more active cyclone season across parts of the Southwest Pacific; the same climate pattern is expected to disrupt tuna fisheries through 2027, including in Cook Islands waters. Remote Services: A New Zealand-led Pacific exercise brought infrastructure upgrades, healthcare and maritime surveying to Penrhyn, including solar stills and improved water systems. Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is backing conservation efforts across five Pacific nations, including work advancing the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Digital Health: Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga put AI, health data and research on the regional cooperation agenda. Island Science: Cook Islands environment officials are considering acoustic recorders and other tools to monitor native seabirds, with research and community consultation guiding future work.

Remote-Island Infrastructure: New Zealand Defence Force teams completed six weeks of work on Penrhyn, including solar stills, water upgrades and maritime surveying, alongside healthcare services. Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund announced more than US$25 million for Pacific conservation, including support for advancing the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Fisheries and Climate: A strong El Niño could shift tuna fishing grounds into 2027 and bring reduced rainfall to the southern Cook Islands. Research Tools: Cook Islands environment officials are exploring acoustic recorders to monitor seabirds, while conference research highlighted drones, cameras and AI as possible tools—chosen to fit the monitoring need. AI and Health: Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga put AI, health data and research on the regional agenda; a local commentary also raised AI’s environmental costs and ethical questions. Technical Training: CITTI electrical and construction students teamed up to build and fit out a cabin, gaining hands-on experience across trades.

Penrhyn Upgrade: Nearly 50 New Zealand Defence Force personnel completed six weeks of work on water systems, solar stills, schools and community facilities on remote Tongareva, alongside health services and maritime surveying. Ocean Protection: The Bezos Earth Fund is granting more than $25 million for conservation across five Pacific nations, including support for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision. Fisheries Outlook: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and disrupt fishing through 2027, while bringing drier conditions to the southern Cook Islands. AI and Health: Cook Islands commentary highlights AI’s hidden demands for electricity and water; health leaders meeting in Rarotonga also put AI, health data and research on the regional agenda. Island Research: The National Environment Service is exploring tools such as acoustic recorders to monitor seabirds, whose nutrients can support island and reef ecosystems. Seabed Mining: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says the country remains in exploration, with no commercial mining approved; current licences come up for renewal in 2027.

Ocean Conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund is committing more than $25 million across five Pacific nations, including support for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana vision and protection of ocean habitats. Fisheries and Climate: A strong El Niño could shift tuna fishing grounds and catch rates through 2027, while bringing drier conditions to the southern Cook Islands. AI and Island Communities: A Cook Islands commentary weighs AI’s convenience for local groups against the electricity, water and land demands of the data centres behind it. Regional Health Tech: Health leaders meeting in Rarotonga put AI, health data and research on the agenda for Pacific cooperation. Science and Conservation: Cook Islands environment officials are exploring acoustic recorders to monitor native birds, while conference research highlighted seabirds’ role in supporting island and reef ecosystems. Skills Training: CITTI electrical and construction students teamed up to build and wire a cabin, gaining hands-on experience across trades.

Fisheries and Climate: A strong El Niño could shift tuna grounds and catch rates across the Pacific into 2027, while bringing drought risks to the southern Cook Islands and flooding risks elsewhere. AI in Island Communities: A Cook Islands commentary weighs AI’s quick benefits for local groups against the electricity, water and environmental costs of the data centres behind it. Pacific Research: A new account connects the Cook Islands’ scientific exploration today, aboard the RV Anuanua Moana, with the multidisciplinary voyages of the past. Health Technology: Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga put AI, health data and research on the regional cooperation agenda. Nature Monitoring: The National Environment Service is exploring tools such as acoustic recorders, drones and cameras to support seabird research and conservation. Skills and Training: CITTI electrical and construction students teamed up to build and wire a cabin, gaining practical experience working across trades.

Fisheries & Climate: A strengthening El Niño could shift Pacific tuna grounds and catch rates through 2027. Southern Cook Islands are also among areas warned of reduced rainfall. AI & Health: Cook Islands commentary weighs AI’s convenience for local groups against data centres’ heavy electricity and water use. Meanwhile, Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga put AI, health data and research on the regional cooperation agenda. Science & Learning: Almost 2,000 students from Rarotonga and the Pa Enua attended the Cook Islands Science Expo, exploring the ocean and science. CITTI trades students also teamed up to build and wire a cabin, gaining hands-on experience across construction and electrical work. Environment & Research: The National Environment Service is considering acoustic recorders to support research on Cook Islands bird species, following a seabird conference that highlighted tools including AI, cameras and drones. The Seabed Minerals Authority says Cook Islands activity remains in the exploration and research phase, with no commercial harvesting approved.

Fisheries & Climate: A very strong El Niño is more than 90% likely, with shifting tuna grounds and catch rates expected to challenge Pacific fisheries through 2027. Southern Cook Islands could also face reduced rainfall. AI in the Cook Islands: A local commentary weighs AI’s convenience for small businesses and community groups against the heavy electricity and water demands of the data centres behind it. Digital Health: Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga put AI, health data and research on the regional cooperation agenda. Island Research: Cook Islands environment officials highlighted seabird monitoring tools such as acoustic recorders, drones and AI, and the role seabirds play in supporting island and reef ecosystems. Science Education: The Cook Islands Science Expo brought nearly 2,000 Rarotonga students and 45 Pa Enua students together for hands-on learning about the ocean.

AI and Island Resources: A Cook Islands commentary urges communities to look beyond AI’s convenience to the electricity, land and water used by data centres, especially as local groups adopt AI for creative and administrative work. Pacific Research: A feature links the historic Endeavour voyage with today’s Pacific science missions aboard RV Anuanua Moana. Skills and Training: CITTI electrical and construction students teamed up to build and wire a cabin, gaining hands-on experience across trades. Health Technology: Pacific health leaders meeting in Rarotonga named AI, health data and research as priorities for regional cooperation. Conservation Science: The National Environment Service is exploring tools such as acoustic recorders, drones and AI to support seabird monitoring and island restoration. Science Education: Nearly 2,000 Rarotonga students and 45 from the Pa Enua attended the 2026 Climate Change Cook Islands Science Expo. Seabed Research: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says exploration will continue through 2032; no commercial mineral harvesting has been approved.

Skills and Technology: Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute students from electrical and building trades teamed up to build and wire a cabin, gaining hands-on experience coordinating on a real project. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund may put a further US$300 million toward Pacific projects, with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown urging investment in climate resilience. Island Science: National Environment Service staff returned from a seabird conference with ideas for monitoring Kopeka and Mo‘omo‘o using acoustic recorders, cameras, drones and AI. Science Education: Nearly 2,000 Rarotonga students and 45 from the southern Pa Enua attended the Cook Islands Science Expo, exploring the ocean’s role in island life. Seabed Research: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says deep-sea work remains in the exploration and research phase, with no commercial mining approved.

Trades Training: Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute students from electrical and construction programmes teamed up to build and wire a cabin, gaining experience working across trades on a real project. Island Science: The National Environment Service is exploring acoustic recorders to monitor seabirds such as the Kopeka and Spotless Crake, alongside tools including drones, cameras and AI. Conference research highlighted seabirds’ role in carrying marine nutrients to islands and reefs. Climate Funding: The Green Climate Fund says a further US$300 million for Pacific projects could go before its board this month. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown urged more investment in climate resilience. Seabed Minerals: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says exploration will continue, with licences due for renewal in 2027; no commercial mining has been approved. Science Education: The 2026 Climate Change Cook Islands Science Expo drew almost 2,000 students from Rarotonga and 45 from the Pa Enua, with an ocean theme and hands-on activities.

Island Science: Cook Islands National Environment Service staff took seabird research lessons from a Hobart conference, including how acoustic recorders, drones, cameras and AI can support monitoring. The agency is considering recorders to study Kopeka and Mo‘omo‘o, while linking seabird data with habitat restoration and predator control. Youth and Research: Nearly 2,000 Rarotonga students and 45 Pa Enua students attended the 2026 Climate Change Cook Islands Science Expo, exploring science under the theme “The Ocean That Connects Us.” Deep-Sea Minerals: The Seabed Minerals Authority says the Cook Islands remains in an exploration and research phase, with no commercial harvesting approved. Three exploration licences come up for renewal in 2027. Pacific Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund says a further US$300 million for Pacific projects could go before its board this month. Prime Minister Mark Brown says investment can buy the region time to respond to climate threats. Island Ecology: A study revisits the common myna’s introduction to the Cook Islands in 1915 to control coconut pests—and its later spread as a threat to native birds and crops.

Island Ecology: Cook Islands’ National Environment Service joined 670 delegates at the World Seabird Conference, where research highlighted how seabirds carry marine nutrients onto islands and support land and reef ecosystems. The conference also explored monitoring with acoustic recorders, drones, cameras and AI; NES is considering recorders for local bird research. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund says another US$300 million for Pacific projects could go before its board this month. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told leaders that investment can buy the region time to respond to climate threats. Seabed Research: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says exploration will continue, with licences due for renewal in 2027, and no commercial mining approved. Any future move beyond exploration would require legal and regulatory steps, including environmental assessment. Science Education: Nearly 2,000 Rarotonga students and 45 students from the southern Pa Enua attended the 2026 Climate Change Cook Islands Science Expo, focused on the ocean and its importance to island communities.

Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund could put another US$300 million toward Pacific projects, with funding due before its board later this month. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says investment can buy the region time to respond to climate threats. Seabed Minerals: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says work remains in the exploration and research phase through 2032. Licences come up for renewal in 2027, but no commercial mining has been approved. Science Education: Nearly 2,000 Rarotonga students and 45 from the Pa Enua attended September’s Climate Change Cook Islands Science Expo, exploring the ocean through hands-on activities. Ocean Protection: New Bezos Earth Fund grants include support for conservation in the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana ocean park, as part of a wider Pacific effort to protect more than 625,000 square miles of ocean. Child Health: WHO figures cited in a new report put obesity at 37% among Cook Islands children and adolescents aged 5–19, highlighting a major public health challenge.