About Te Ipukarea Society
Te Ipukarea Society is a (small but effective membership-based non-government organisation (NGO) that has been in existence since 1996. Over this period, we have grown our reputation for completing environmental projects and being a credible source of independent, research-based evidence, information and expertise on environmental issues impacting the Cook Islands.
While we advocate, promote and educate to ensure environmental sustainability and undertake projects to conserve, restore and protect our natural capital, we are clear we are not a regulator. This is the role of the National Environment Service (NES), Ministry of Health (MoH) and Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) and other Government institutions.
Our current dynamic team of four employees (Dec 2024), supported volunteers, are muti-skilled and highly experienced and are known by others to “be the people who do the work”, producing substantial and valued outputs. We are seen to “walk the talk” and to be “value for money” by funders. While individual and family membership is relatively small, corporate membership is strong and effective.
Use of Funds
- BIODIVERSITY. Local experts in conducting rat eradication programmes, Biodiversity monitoring and invasive species control support to the Takitumu Conservation Area, outer island seabird surveys, Turtle monitoring through Citizen Science;
- WASTE minimisation and management awareness within the community and private sector, Reusable feminine hygiene promotion;
- ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT which currently focuses on raising awareness on the environmental, cultural and economic impacts of seabed mining;
- YOUTH environmental related education programmes achieved during school sessions or planned school holiday programmes.
- CLIMATE CHANGE, promoting alternative coastal protection options such as geo-textile sand bags and the planting of native coastal vegetation to prevent coastal erosion
