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The Cook Islands

International Waters Project

Strengthening the Management of Freshwater in the Cook Islands

What is the focus of the Cook Islands International Waters Project?

The IWP is finding ways to help communities in the Cook Islands protect the quality of their freshwater resources. The need to protect the freshwater resources of Rarotonga was identified as a priority issue to be addressed in the Priority Environmental Concerns Report (2002).

What is the problem?

There is currently no water treatment in Rarotonga and locals and tourists are advised to boil their drinking water.

The IWP is working together with the Takuvaine Community which is located on the watershed bordering the main town area on the northern side of capital island Rarotonga. The Takuvaine community is divided into four tapere (smaller communities); Tutakimoa, Parekura, Takuvaine town and Takuvaine valley.

A boy drinks untreated water from the Takuvaine Water Intake

This community was selected because the Takuvaine water catchment supplies much of the water for the town area in Rarotonga but the water quality is coming under increasing pressure of contamination due to the unrestricted access of people and animals to the catchment area.

The Takuvaine water catchment area is 161ha and a gricultural activities, such as the cultivation of water taro are taking place above the Takuvaine water intake. Every year thousands of tourists and locals use the popular “Te Kou Trek” to walk directly past the intake and higher into the catchment area.

What are the project's objectives?

• to develop and implement a management plan to help minimise any harmful activities above the water intake
• to raise awareness of the problem and work with stakeholders to develop a freshwater management strategy for Rarotonga and, ultimately, for the Cook Islands

Who manages the Cook Islands IWP?

The lead agency responsible for managing the Cook Islands IWP is the Cook Islands National Environment Service. The IWP Cooks project manager is Ms. Tania Temata. The National Coordinator is Mr. Tauraki Raea and the Assistant National Coordinator is Ms. Deyna Marsh.

A National Task Force made up of key stakeholders from government, non-government agencies, and the local community, is responsible for overseeing the Project. This Task Force is also responsible for finding ways to use the community-based activities to improve the management of freshwater resources throughout Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

Where to next?

IWP Cook Islands National Coordinator, Tauraki Raea standing next to the Takuvaine intake.

An economic evaluation of Rarotonga’s watersheds is currently being conducted. With the completion of the evaluation and the legislation review, the final major activity would be to facilitate the development and implementation of a management plan, in conjunction with the landowners, for the Takuvaine water catchment. The lessons learnt from this activity will hopefully lead to specific measures to protect all water catchment areas in Rarotonga by the end of 2006.

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