Rarotonga Cook Islands introduces eco certification for the tourism industry

What Mana Tiaki means to the Cook Islands and to you!

“TIAKI MEANS KEEPER OR GUARDIAN AND MANA TRANSLATES AS INFLUENCE OR POWER. IT MEANS GUARDIANSHIP WITH SACRED PURPOSE, TO PRESERVE IT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE KEEPER HAS THE POWER OR ABILITY TO KEEP OUR CULTURE AND HERITAGE ALIVE. MANA TIAKI ALSO REFERS TO OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS GUARDIANS OF THESE ISLANDS AND ENVIRONMENT”.

(Source: www.kiaorana.cookislands.travel)

During 2019 the Cook Islands, as a nation, moved further towards protecting its ‘Little Paradise’ with the launch and introduction of Mana Tiaki Eco Certification designed for businesses, particularly tourism-related, to contribute to a sustainable future for the Cook Islands. Attending the official launch of Mana Tiaki Eco Certification (MTEC) at the Discover Marine & Wildlife Eco Centre in Arorangi was Prof. Simon Milne of Auckland University of Technology, whose highly regarded ongoing Cook Islands Visitor Survey provided background on why this certification scheme is important to the sustainability of the islands. “The Cook Islands International Visitor Survey highlights the number one reason for visitor interest in the Cook Islands as our pristine natural environment. With increased numbers of visitors, comes a strain on our biodiversity, infrastructure and local communities. It is vital that these issues are carefully managed and that responsibility lies within our communities, government, and our private sector,” said Prof. Milne. Also in attendance was Kelvin Passfield, the technical director of the eco-active NGO environmental organisation, Te Ipukarea Society, who run the certification program: “Mana Tiaki Eco Certification comes as the country notches up record numbers of visitors, but there is a genuine desire to curb the impact visitors have on the natural environment”. For some time now, the original Mana Tiaki program has enabled visitors to engage with local conservation efforts by supporting the work of Te Ipukarea Society financially. Donations to the Mana Tiaki program are primarily made through Mana Tiaki collection boxes at various tourism outlets, including accommodation, attractions, and food and beverage outlets. Monies collected go to various Te Ipukarea Society projects. However, the MTEC moves an important step closer to supporting the Te Ipukarea Society mission to “Protect a Little Paradise”. The steady growth of tourism in the Cook Islands has made the protection of the country’s natural environment more critical to the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry. And, the tourism industry is aware of the contribution they can make through MTEC, whereby an eco accredited business follows a set of standards established to embed biodiversity considerations and basic conservation efforts into its day-to-day operations. Business operations that achieve Mana Tiaki EcoCertification are rewarded with the recognition that this type of ‘green accreditation’ can bring, particularly the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry. Mana Tiaki Eco-Certification (aka ‘eco accreditation’ or ‘green accreditation’) is jointly undertaken between the National Environment Service through the ‘Ridge to Reef’ project, the Te Ipukarea Society, the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, and the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council. Sue Fletcher-Vea, president of the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council, said at the launch: “I would like to encourage everyone in tourism to step up and become certified. I can't emphasis enough how important it is that we in the private sector protect the very reason our international visitors come to the island. “It is absolutely our responsibility to ensure that whilst enjoying the financial benefits of tourism that we do it in such a way that we are protecting our beautiful ‘little paradise’ for future generations.” The CEO of the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, Halatoa Fua, said at the launch: “We are here today to mark a great milestone in our tourism industry, which is the introduction of Mana Tiaki Eco-Certification. “Our natural environment, together with culture and traditions, are the most important assets of any tourism industry. This certification is a ‘step up’ strategy to protect the essence of our growing tourism industry.” Since the launch dozens of tourism operators have already earned their MTEC. Look for the MTEC logo around the Cook Islands, and support and recognise its membership.

Nature guru Pa Teuruaa is spiritually connected to the ecosystems of Rarotonga.

NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR AN A1 MEITAKI AWARD

Mana Tiaki Week

The Mana Tiaki Eco-Certification launch and Green Expo at the Discover Marine & Wildlife Eco Centre in Arorangi, coincided with the annual Mana Tiaki Week in Maire Nui Park in Avarua, where Cook Islands Tourism ‘Kia Orana Ambassador’ legends Aunty Nane Papa and Aunty Lydia Nga presided. Nane and Lydia are great friends who have known each other from school days at Titikaveka College; one year apart in age, Lydia admits to being the eldest. They have worked together for over ten years at Cook Islands Tourism; now both are the most recognised public faces of Tourism, not only as Kia Orana Ambassadors, but also featuring together in Cook Islands Tourism promotional videos, print ads, posters, and TV commercials. Nane said: “As Kia Orana Ambassadors, we are pretty much the ears and eyes of Tourism out in the community. We visit schools, businesses and community groups making presentations about the Kia Orana Values. There is three core values of Kia Orana: Kia Orana, Meitaki and Mana Tiaki. “Kia Orana is both a blessing and a wish for good fortune, and Kia Orana communicates the essence of our people and islands. Meitaki, which means thank you, also refers to how we are feeling if we are feeling good. And, Mana Tiaki that refers to our responsibility as guardians of these islands and the environment”. Lydia added: “We both love what we do! We don’t count the minutes, and that includes the ‘meet & greet’ at the airport all hours of the day and night; and we happily attend openings of businesses, buildings and events representing Cook Islands Tourism.

Aunty Lydia and Aunty Nane are not just great friends, they are the embodiment of Kia Orana Values

Alana Smith shows off one of Te Ipukarea Society’s more recent initiatives: 800ml insulated thermo-flask bottles, which keep their contents hot or cold for up to 24 hours. There are five colours to choose from: red, silver, black, blue and gold. A great souvenir from Rarotonga too! Help reduce the amount of plastic bottles entering the waste stream; say ‘no’ to single use plastic bottles, and refill a reusable bottles instead! They cost around $30.00 and can be purchased from the Te Ipukarea Society’s office, next door to Bamboo Jacks, on the main road at Tupapa, near Avarua. All profits go into Te Ipukarea Society projects. Simply complete an A1 Meitaki Award form at any Cook Islands Tourism Information Centre, or at Rarotonga International Airport, and nominate an individual or a business in the Cook Islands for excellence in service to a visitor. When an A1 Award is given, the recipient receives nothing more than grateful acknowledgement and a certificate.

YOUR CHANCE TO SAY MEITAKI!

Reward excellent service in the Cook Islands by nominating an individual or a business for an A1 Meitaki Award.