A recent additional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to enable the WWF to further operate and run programs in the Cook Islands. The MOU was signed 18 January 2006.

Prime Minister Jim Marurai signed on behalf of government while WWF’s officer in the Cook Islands Mona Matepi represented the organisation. Matepi says the MOU is a continuation from the first one that was signed five years ago in 2000. The MOU is for another five years. WWF started in the Cook Islands in the later 90s but nothing was official until the first MOU.

“The MOU will make sure that the work we do here is in line with the nation’s plans,” Matepi said. “Currently we are working on a project for an education program to change the attitude because we find that most people are not aware of the impact of the things they do. “We need to educate and we do that with students but also the community. We have been working toward an environmental education manual for integration in both the formal education curriculum and communities. This work has been ongoing for nearly 2 years. The manual is now in the final stages of drafting and scheduled for pre-testing with teachers and community practitioners by March/April this year.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Cook Islands National Environment Service, and WWF South Pacific Programme thus kick starting the Europe Aid funded project- UNFCCC: Facilitating Implementation and Participation in the Pacific.

The MOU was signed on Thursday, 6th October 2005, by the Director of the Cook Islands National Environment Service, Mr. Vaitoti Tupa, and the Conservation Director (WWF SPP), Ms. Kesaia Tabunakawai. The Cook Islands is one of the countries that WWF SPP will be working with in this project.

The MOU will enable project activities to take place, to strengthen the participation of the Cook Islands and Tuvalu, at international climate meetings (UNFCCC).

» View the MOU

Members of the Cook Islands Koutu Nui (traditional leaders) attended a three day capacity building session which began on 27 June 2005. Local experts, including WWF's Mona Matepi, gave talks on strengthening environmental legislation. In the sessions, leaders were encouraged to enforce the raui system through customary law.

»Read full story

During February 2005, the Cook Islands suffered five cyclones during a four week period. Cyclone Meena struck on the 6th of February, mostly affecting the northern part of the island, where the main town of Avarua is situated. Cyclone Nancy struck just one week later, affecting the east coast severely. Two days later, Cyclone Olaf arrived, which affected the western part fo the island, where most of the bigger resorts are located. Two weeks later, Cyclone Percy's effects were felt, and lastly Cyclone Rae arrived only three days later.

» Read the full story