National Parks and Conservation Areas

The protection of areas and species of special significance is not a new concept in the Cook Islands. The concept of reserves has existed in the Cook Islands for hundreds of years in one form or another.

The imposition of the raui system: a traditional system whereby access to a particular resource or area is forbidden for a given period, is still being practised in the Cook Islands.

Although it appears that the raui system aims at the conservation of food resources, rather than a specific environmental protection mechanism, it is in essence the protecting of ecological system in the lagoons and reefs and other marine resources.

Suwarrow Atoll was the first area to be formally established as a National Park in the Cook Islands since 1978 for the protection of the wildlife and the marine resources that it possesses. In 2000 the Nikao Social Centre was declared a National Park under the protection of the Environment Act.

The Island of Takutea a breeding ground for birds has been a Wildlife Sanctuary since 1903. The traditional leaders of Atiu who, are the trustees of Takutea still manage the island as a conservation area for wildlife.

Cook Islands Protected Areas