Recognising Te-Ara Henderson’s contribution to SBMA
Te-Ara Henderson Senior Legal and Policy Officer
The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is acknowledging the contribution of Senior Policy and Legal Officer Te-Ara Henderson, who has departed the Authority after more than five years of service.
Te-Ara joined SBMA in March 2021 as a Licensing and Compliance Officer in the Licensing and Compliance Division. Over time, his responsibilities expanded alongside the Authority’s own development, and he became involved in a broad range of legal, policy, and regulatory work during a key stage in the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector.
His time at SBMA spanned a period of steady development for the Authority, as the Cook Islands continued through the exploration and research phase and strengthened the systems needed to support careful, informed, and accountable decision-making.
One of the major milestones during Te-Ara’s time at SBMA was the first exploration licensing process in the Cook Islands, which led to the signing of three exploration licences on 23 February 2022.
During this process, Te-Ara contributed to legal and regulatory support for the development review and progression of draft licence documentation and associated compliance requirements. His role helped support the careful legal and procedural steps required during a significant point in the Authority’s early regulatory work.
Te-Ara also contributed to policy and legal work within the Policy and Regulatory Oversight Division, including support for regulatory analysis, drafting, and internal review processes that helped strengthen SBMA’s readiness and oversight functions as the sector continued to develop.
Beyond his work within the Authority, Te-Ara also represented the Cook Islands in regional and international settings. In 2024, he attended Part I of the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority Council in Kingston, Jamaica, where negotiations continued on rules for seabed minerals activities in the international seabed Area.
In 2025, he completed the second phase of the Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme, followed by an 11-week regulatory secondment with the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining. SBMA said at the time that the secondment gave him an opportunity to observe an established regulatory system and bring back practical insights relevant to the Cook Islands context.
For SBMA, Te-Ara’s contribution reflects more than one role or one workstream. It reflects a period in which the Authority was growing its policy and legal capability, building its systems, and taking on increasingly complex national and international responsibilities.
SBMA Commissioner Beverly Ataera said Te-Ara was integral to the Authority during an important stage in its development, but more importantly. "Te-Ara has been someone colleagues could rely on. He brought a calm presence to the office, a careful mind to the work, and a willingness to support others when needed. He is a highly respected teammate, and we thank him for the contribution he has made during his time at SBMA."
Policy and Regulatory Oversight Director Latishia Maui-Mataora said Te-Ara had been a steady and trusted member of the team.
"Te-Ara has made a valued contribution across legal and policy work, and he has done so with diligence, thoughtfulness, and a strong sense of duty. He has approached complex work with care, and he has always remained grounded in the importance of getting the details right. His presence in the team will be missed."
SBMA colleagues said Te-Ara would be remembered not only for his work, but also for the way he worked alongside others.
Te-Ara said his years at SBMA had been a meaningful part of his professional journey.
"My time at SBMA has been an important chapter in my life and career. I joined the Authority at a time when both the organisation and the sector were continuing to develop, and I am grateful to have been part of that journey. The work challenged me, taught me a lot, and gave me the opportunity to contribute to something that matters to the Cook Islands. I leave with appreciation for the people I have worked with and for the experiences I have had along the way."
As Te-Ara moves on to new opportunities, SBMA thanks him for his service and acknowledges the work he has contributed since 2021. That contribution remains part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to build the legal, policy, and regulatory foundations that support responsible seabed minerals governance in the Cook Islands.