Environmental advocates have renewed their concerns as the Cook Islands government commences the second round of overseas public consultations on seabed mining in Queensland, Australia. The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has been criticized for excluding independent environmental experts from participating alongside its government delegation, despite persistent calls from organizations like the Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) and Korero o te Orau.
Prime Minister Mark Brown, leading an 11-member delegation for consultations in Australia, previously formed a similar delegation to New Zealand in November 2024, where he consulted with the Cook Islands diaspora. The current consultation aims for an “open dialogue” regarding seabed exploration activities.
TIS President June Hosking expressed her dissatisfaction after only learning about the Australian consultations shortly before they began. She had urged the inclusion of members from the Marae Moana Technical Advisory Group in the discussions to present a balanced perspective, essential for informed community consent as stipulated by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). However, the SBMA’s refusal to integrate these voices into the official program has left her feeling insulted and sidelined.
Hosking highlighted that the government’s response indicated they intend to maintain an exclusive government-led program, which she argues limits transparency and public engagement. She described the previous consultations as lengthy and one-sided, lacking comprehensive information on environmental risks associated with mining. Specifically, she observed that feedback mechanisms were inadequate, suggesting that more time should be allocated for discussions after presentations to ensure community issues could be effectively addressed.
In defense of the government’s strategy, Prime Minister Brown maintains that the current phase is only exploratory, insisting that no mining decisions have been made and emphasizing the use of scientific research in guiding their approach. He mentions that TIS and Korero o te Orau had representatives present during the consultations in New Zealand, where participants were able to raise concerns and engage in dialogue.
Despite the government’s claims of fostering inclusion and transparency, environmental advocates argue that true informed consent cannot occur if consultations lack diverse representation. They call for the inclusion of independent voices in future discussions to ensure that community members are fully informed about the implications of seabed mining.
As discussions unfold in Australia from May 29 to June 6, the hope remains that the Cook Islands can find a path that balances economic opportunities with environmental preservation—ensuring that the unique marine ecosystems are protected while addressing local communities’ concerns.
Hope persists for a constructive outcome that prioritizes both the economic aspirations of the Cook Islands and the vital health of its marine environment, as the government and local advocates grapple with these complex issues.
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