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 Rarotonga
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
Cook Islands–U.S. science partnership delivers new maps, samples and deep-ocean knowledge
Cook Islands–U.S. science partnership delivers new maps, samples and deep-ocean knowledge

More than 52,000 square kilometres of seafloor mapping, almost 500 scientific samples and extensive deep-sea imagery collected during the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration are now supporting continuing research involving Cook Islands scientists and international partners. 

EX2605, the 26-day expedition aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer from 19 July to 13 August 2026, was a partnership between the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), NOAA Ocean Exploration and scientific partners. Cook Islands scientists contributed directly to ROV operations, mapping, sample collection and processing, and science planning. 

For SBMA, the value of the expedition did not end when the vessel left Cook Islands waters.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, NOAA Ocean Exploration, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, Cook islands, Rarotonga, Marae Moana, University of Hawai'i, United States Geological Survey, Smithsonian Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University of Rhode Island, National Museum of the Cook Islands, Deep-Ocean Science, Ocean mapping, Marine Biodiversity, Environmental DNA, Bathymetry, Polymetallic Nodules, Ocean Research, Deep-Sea Exploration, Science Partnerships
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
New camera technology shows the Cook Islands seabed in unparalleled detail
New camera technology shows the Cook Islands seabed in unparalleled detail

The first dive of the NA176 marine scientific cruise has delivered exceptional results.

One of the cruise participants, Deep Sea Power and Light, provided cutting edge new camera technology [1] and a small team of experts to commission and maintain the equipment. This is the first time this technology has been deployed to such depths anywhere in the world.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, SBMA, Marae Moana, NA 176, E/V Nautilus Live, Deep Sea, Ocean Science, Conservation, Seabed Research, Deep Sea Corals, Marine Biodiversity, Science In Action, NOAA, OET, Deep Sea Power and Light, Rarotonga, Manihiki Plateau, Pacific Oceanscape, Sustainable Oceans, Blue Economy, Environmental Stewardship, Marine Tech, Underwater Imaging, Exploration, Data For Decision Making, Public Science, New Release, Watch Now, Photo Gallery, Behind The Scenes
Cook Islands Welcomes E/V Nautilus for 21-Day Deep-Sea Science Research Cruise
Cook Islands Welcomes E/V Nautilus for 21-Day Deep-Sea Science Research Cruise

Later this week, the Cook Islands will welcome the arrival of the exploration vessel E/V Nautilus, a world-class platform for deep-sea discovery. Over the course of a 21-day science mission beginning 1 October 2025, the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) and its partners will work alongside the Nautilus team to explore and better understand the hidden depths of Marae Moana.

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Joint ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, Rarotonga, SBMA, Seabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), E/V Nautilus, National Environment Service (NES), NES, Deep Sea Science, Marae Moana, Cook Islands Science, Ocean Exploration, Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA Ocean Exploration, International Partnerships, Science Collaboration, Pacific Research, Marine Biodiversity, Seabed Research, Ocean Stewardship, Sustainable Oceans, Science First, Precautionary Principle, Pacific Oceans, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, Marae Moana Leadership
Global Lessons, Local Impact: SBMA’s Te-Ara Henderson Returns from South Australia Secondment
Global Lessons, Local Impact: SBMA’s Te-Ara Henderson Returns from South Australia Secondment

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) proudly welcomes home its Senior Policy and Legal Officer, Te-Ara Henderson, following the successful completion of an 11-week regulatory secondment with the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining (DEM), an exchange facilitated through the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network (AELERT). 

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Press ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Te-Ara Henderson, South Australia, AELERT, Global Learning, Local Impact, AELERT Network, Cook Islands Leadership, Seabed Minerals, Regulatory Excellence, Pacific Innovation, Knowledge Exchange, Ocean Governance