SBMA Release: SBMA strengthens regional relationships at Murihiku Regeneration Wānanga in New Zealand
The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) was represented at the Murihiku Regeneration: Energy, Infrastructure and Opportunities Wānanga in Invercargill, New Zealand, on 27–28 May 2026, with Partnerships and Cooperation Director Edward Herman attending on behalf of the Authority. According to Herman, the gathering brought together a wide mix of New Zealand businesses, community organisations, government agencies, and iwi representatives, with more than 200 people attending.
Hosted by Murihiku Regeneration, the two-day wānanga focused on regional economic development and a regenerative future for the South Island region. The event theme, “Leveraging our energy transition and relative strengths,” centered on practical action, research, science and innovation, climate and sustainability challenges.
Herman said the wānanga offered a valuable opportunity to share the Cook Islands perspective in a forum that was otherwise strongly focused on New Zealand regional priorities. SBMA’s participation sat within the programme’s broader regional perspective discussions.
Herman presented the vision and status of the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector. The presentation was well received and led to strong follow-up discussions and questions after the session. From key iwi governance leaders who expressed interest in the presentation and in exploring possible future engagement and collaboration, particularly around science and investment potential. The discussions also opened the door to a possible invitation for SBMA to take part in a future economic summit later this year.
For SBMA, the visit was an opportunity to strengthen relationships and better understand how other regions are approaching long-term development, energy transition, and community prosperity. It also reinforced the value of engaging with indigenous leaders and regional institutions that are thinking carefully about science, investment, and sustainability in their own contexts.
Herman said those conversations were useful because they showed the importance of bringing people together across different sectors to discuss shared challenges and opportunities.
“What stood out was the strong focus on practical action, long-term thinking, and how regional development can be shaped in a way that reflects both community priorities and future opportunities. It was valuable for SBMA to be part of that conversation and to share the Cook Islands perspective.”
The Authority will strengthen engagement with Murihiku Regeneration, and other potential New Zealand and iwi stakeholders as part of its ongoing partnerships and cooperation work.
For further information or media queries, please contact: sbma.media@cookislands.gov.ck