Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
Runanga Takere Moana
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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 Policy and Regulatory Oversight
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
Recognising Te-Ara Henderson’s contribution to SBMA
Recognising Te-Ara Henderson’s contribution to SBMA

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. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Te-Ara Henderson, Staff Recognition, Senior Policy and Legal Officer, Policy and Legal, Regulatory Development, Legal and Compliance, Policy and Regulatory Oversight, Licensing and Compliance, Public Service, Institutional Development
Parliament approve improvements to the Seabed Minerals Act
Parliament approve improvements to the Seabed Minerals Act

Parliament unanimously approved the Seabed Minerals Amendment Bill 2024 yesterday.

The purpose of the amendments were to improve the overall seabed minerals regime. This included making the intent of some sections clearer, as well as changes to enable the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) to fulfil its functions more effectively.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Exploration, Government, Parliament, Seabed Minerals Act, Seabed Minerals Amendment Bill 2024, Seabed Minerals Authority, Mark Brown, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Te-Ara Henderson, Crown Law Office, New Zealand Parliamentary Council's Office, Seabed Minerals Act 2019, Exploration Regulation, Cabinet, Tina Pupuke Browne, Vaitoti Tupa, Alex Herman, Policy and Regulatory Oversight, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Brown, Bill, support, amendment, SBM, minerals, seabed, changs, policy, process, harvesting, purpose, improve, standards, now, activities, collection, nodules, management, clearer, continue