MAHI TAAPOI

Sustainable Tourism Development

 
 

The TMPIAP included a range of protect designed to protect and enhance the environment  and resources including:

  1. Bulleta tourism industry solid waste management strategy;

  2. Bulleta Rarotonga Parks and Reserves Assessment;

  3. Bulletsupporting the establishment of raui on Rarotonga; and

  4. Bulletundertakeing a range of projects on the Aitutaki lagoon.

Tourism industry solid waste management strategy

This project set up an awareness programme for the tourism industry to promote the concept of “rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle” and to develop waste reduction plans with a range of tourism operators.  Its aim was to reduce the volumes of refuse sent to the landfills by the tourism industry by 20%.  The main approach was the provision of technical assistance to tourism operators to assess their opportunities to cut the volume of refuse they produced and to advise them on implementation through the preparation of waste reduction plans.  A phone service was provided to give on-going support and to deal with specific issues as they arose.  The project included pre- and post-programme assessments of solid waste volumes and demonstrated that the targeted waste reduction was achievable.

 

TMPIAP: Environment and Resources  

Home

Projects

Cook Islands Case Studies

CITMP Implementation

Project list

Amenities

Business and product development

Infrastructure

Education and training

Environment and resources

Information/publications

Visitor statistics/market information

Personnel

Contact Us

Rarotonga Parks and Reserves Assessment

There have been numerous proposals for parks and reserves on Rarotonga in the past but few have come into existence.  This project took a multi-faceted approach to identify appropriate land and marine areas for protection; address issues related to public access to beaches, the lagoon and the inland tracks; develop an interpretation programme for the natural and historic heritage of Rarotonga; prepare a plan for track signage, safety aids and maintenance; and develop conditions and standards related to natural and cultural heritage values to be incorporated in the national tourism accreditation scheme.

Rarotonga Raui

This is the first project to flow on from the Rartonga parks and reserves assessment.  The Koutu Nui took the intiative to encourage the establishment of raui (traditional fishing bans) Five raui, at Nikau, Matavera, Tikioki, Puaikura, and Muri (between the Avana river and Aroko) were established starting from 2nd february 1998.  The TMPIAP provided funds for signage, markers, and promotion including radio  and television advertising.  WWF has also supported the project with funding for the preparation of a management plan for one of the raui.

Aitutaki Lagoon Coral Survey

A baseline survey of the corals at 16 sites on the western fore-reef and in the lagoon was undertaken in August 1994.  The sites have since been resurveyed twice, the latest in January 1996.   The initial survey found a high proportion of dead coral both on the reef and in the lagoon and a significant Taramea problem on the western fore-reef.  The project changed its method in late 1997 with a switch to recording the sites on video and still film.

Aitutaki Lagoon  Fisheries Survey

A fisheries survey was undertaken by CICS and Ministry of Marine Resources with the support of a consultant.  The survey identified a range of symptoms of stress in the fishery.  The work included a survey of fishers, Aitutaki residents, and visitors.

Aitutaki Lagoon Taramea Control

A significant problem with Taramea on the western fore-reef was identified in the first coral monitoring survey.  Six drench guns were supplied to enable the Taramea to be injected with copper sulphate by Neil Mitchell of Aitutaki Scuba and other divers.  Two community days to collect Taramea from inside the lagoon supported by the Programme have been held and a bounty system jointly funded by the Island Council has now been adopted.

Aitutaki Lagoon Fish Reserve Establishment

This project assisted in the establishment of marine reserves in the lagoon, one  near Maina and the other between Motukitiu/Tapuaetai and Moturakau.  Support was provided for technical assistance from the Department of Conservation in New Zealand.  It included a visit to Manuae to film the fish and other marine life as part of an awareness programme prior to community meetings about the proposed reserves on Aitutaki.  A television programme was been prepared in advance of village meetings.  Revisions of the fisheries by-law were prepared and implemented.  Materials were supplied for markers to signal the position of the fish reserves. 

Ewan Smith