Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
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News & Press Releases

 
 

You can read all the latest news and updates on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector here.

 
Posts tagged Cook Islands
SBMA strengthens regulatory capability through South Australia exchange
SBMA strengthens regulatory capability through South Australia exchange

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) hosted two officers from South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) in September as part of a regulator to regulator exchange focused on compliance, monitoring, enforcement procedures and regulatory systems.

The placement builds on an earlier exchange supported through the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network (AELERT), which saw former SBMA Senior Policy and Legal Officer Te-Ara Henderson undertake a secondment with DEM in South Australia from May to July 2025. 

The latest exchange brought that cooperation to Rarotonga, allowing DEM officers to work directly alongside SBMA staff on practical areas of regulatory oversight.

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Dede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, South Australia Department of Energy and Mining, DEM, Simon Matthews, Daniel Radulovic, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Beverly Ataera, Regulatory Capability, Compliance Monitoring, Regulatory Oversight, Enforcement Procedures, Exploration Regulation, Licence Compliance, Exploration Licence Renewal, Regulatory Systems, Monitoring and Reporting, Compliance Framework, Policy and Regulatory Oversight, Regulator to Regulator Exchange, South Australia Exchange, AELERT, Australiasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network, Institutional Capacity, Knowledge Exchange, Professional Development, Regulatory Cooperation, Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, Exploration and Research Phase, Seabed Minerals Governance, National Regulatory Framework, Cook Islands Law, Responsible Ocean Governance, National Interest
Cook Islands-led science strengthens deep-sea habitat understanding
Cook Islands-led science strengthens deep-sea habitat understanding

Cook Islands scientists have completed a major review of more than 11,000 deep-sea observations, working with research partners in Hawai‘i to improve how seabed habitats are classified and analysed for future environmental management. 

The work was advanced during meetings at the Deep-sea Animal Research Centre at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in September 2026, where Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) Knowledge Management staff Chloe-Ane Wragg and Dr John Parianos presented a revised Cook Islands approach to classifying deep-sea substrates and geological features. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Hawaii, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, NOAA, United States Geological Survey, Chloe-Ane Wragg, Dr John Parianos, Deep-Sea Habitats of the Cook Islands, Geological Substrate Atlas of the Cook Islands, Deep-Sea Science, Marine Biodiversity, Environmental Management, Ocean Research, Cook Islands Science, Marae Moana
Kiribati delegation visits Cook Islands for seabed minerals governance study tour
Kiribati delegation visits Cook Islands for seabed minerals governance study tour

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) welcomed the Honourable Ribanataake Tiwau, Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Resources of the Republic of Kiribati, and his delegation to the Cook Islands for a study tour focused on seabed minerals governance, regulation, institutional development and knowledge exchange. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Ribanataake Tiwau, Beverly Ataera, Seabed Minerals Governance, Regulatory Frameworks, Institutional Development, Licensing, Environmental Safeguards, Fiscal Governance, Public Oversight, Science Based Decision Making, Pacific Cooperation, Pacific Knowledge Exchange, Regional Partnerships, Pacific Island Countries, Government to Government Engagement, Capacity Building, Seabed Minerals, Exploration and Research, Ocean Governance, Stakeholder Engagement, Public Information, National Interest, Responsible Ocean Stewardship
Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston
Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston

The Seabed Minerals Authority’s Policy and Regulatory Oversight team represented the Cook Islands at the International Seabed Authority Council meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, from 13 to 24 July 2026. 

Policy and Regulatory Oversight Director Latishia Maui-Mataora and Policy and Legal Officer Lynn Mataora attended the second part of the 31st Session of the International Seabed Authority Council, where Member States continued discussions on the international rules and responsibilities for seabed minerals activities in the Area. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, ISA Council, 31st Session, Kingston Jamaica, Policy and Regulatory Oversight, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Lynn Mataora, Seabed Minerals Regulation, Draft Exploitation Regulations, The Area, UNCLOS, Sponsoring States, Responsibilities, Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement, Inspections, Regulatory Capability, Legal Capability, Policy Development, Ocean Governance, Deep-Sea Minerals, Science-Based Decision Making, Cook Islands Law, Exploration and Research Phase, Responsible Stewardship
SBMA Knowledge Management team prepares for 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
SBMA Knowledge Management team prepares for 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer

The Seabed Minerals Authority’s Knowledge Management team is preparing to take part in the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, a 26-day scientific cruise taking place from 19 July to 13 August 2026 in deep waters off the Cook Islands. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, NOAA Ocean Exploration, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Deep-Sea Exploration, Research Cruise, ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), Remotely Operated Vehicle, ROV, ROV Research Cruise, Deep Discoverer, Seirios, Seafloor Mapping, Oceanographic Research, Water Column Science, Deep-Sea Biology, Marine Geology, Deep Ocean Science, Knowledge Management Team, Dr John Parianos, Rima Browne, Tanga Morris Jnr, Chloe Ann Wragg, Cook Islands Scientists, National Capacity Building, Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone, Manihiki Plateau, Extended Continental Shelf (ECS), Abyssal Plains, Seamounts, Marae Moana, Pacific Ocean
SBMA continues Rarotonga community kōrero across Takuvaine/Tutakimoa, Tupapa Maraerenga and Nikao
SBMA continues Rarotonga community kōrero across Takuvaine/Tutakimoa, Tupapa Maraerenga and Nikao

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has continued its Rarotonga community kōrero sessions across Takuvaine/Tutakimoa, Tupapa Maraerenga and Nikao, creating space for open discussion, shared learning, and direct engagement with local communities on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Rarotonga community Korero Sessions, Community Engagement, Public Consultations, Takuvaine Tukaimoa, Tupapa Maraerenga, Nikao, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Community Dialogue, Public Awareness & Education
Clear Facts, Careful Process: Where the Cook Islands Stands on Seabed Minerals
Clear Facts, Careful Process: Where the Cook Islands Stands on Seabed Minerals

Public discussion on seabed minerals has raised questions about transparency, representation, science, and decision-making. Here is where the Cook Islands currently stands, what the law requires, and why the country remains in an exploration-only phase. Those questions are fair. People should expect answers that are clear, straight, and respectful. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Cook Islands, SBMA, Ocean Governance, Exploration Phase, Science Based Decisions, Environmental stewardship, Marae Moana, Public Consultations, Transparency, Policy and Regulation, Licensing Process, National Environment Service (NES), Advisory Committee, Community Engagement, Ocean Nation, Cook Islands Government, Deep Sea, Marine Policy, Evidence Based Approach