The Goldman Environmental Prize is a prize awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists.
32-651: Marae Moana is a multiple-use marine protected area created on 13 July 2017, when the Parliament of the Cook Islands passed a bill creating the largest multiple-use marine protected area in the world at the time of its passage. Marae Moana covers the Cook Islands ' entire exclusive economic zone of over 1.9 million square kilometers. Kevin Iro, an environmentalist, first proposed the idea in 2010. Upon its passage, Iro said, "It's
64-414: A historic time, particularly because everyone supported it, including our traditional leaders who spearheaded the whole thing." The bill had support from all parties in the legislature. The name of the marine park was created in 2014 during a naming competition won by Bouchard Solomono, a student at Tereora College. Some media speculated that this legislation was the most significant since the independence of
96-530: A majority. The Prime Minister leads the government; the King's Representative appoints the Prime Minister from the party or coalition that has or appears to have enough support to govern. The Prime Minister and Cabinet hold office until the next election, or until they are defeated on a motion of confidence. The Cook Islands has a two-party system , though independent members are not uncommon. The Prime Minister
128-614: A prominent marine biologist and Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient who was openly critical of the government's plans for seabed mining was replaced as director of the park by instruction of the Office of the Prime Minister. Evans was responsible for developing the Marae Moana policy and the Marae Moana Act, and since the Act's passage in 2017 has, amongst other things, worked on raising funding for
160-485: A ten-year moratorium was proposed on seabed mining in the protected area at the Pacific Islands Forum creating both national and international debate. Due to significant support within the government for seabed mining the bill was not passed. Although any mining activity must be kept to certain areas of the park where impact on the marine ecosystems will be limited, the failure of the bill has drawn criticism due to
192-430: A volcanic island, upraised limestone islands, and a sand cay. It is home to 136 species of coral , over 600 species of fish, and 21 species of cetacea (whales and dolphins). It is also home to three threatened species of turtles, as well as some tuna species. Marae Moana is also home to five species of reef sharks and eleven pelagic shark species. Marae Moana is also home to many birds and plants as well. In late 2018,
224-563: Is currently Mark Brown of the Cook Islands Party and the leader of the opposition is Tina Browne , who leads the Democratic Party . Summary of the 1 August 2022 Cook Islands election results: The Cook Islands Parliament follows the model common to other Westminster systems for passing Acts of Parliament . Laws are proposed to Parliament as bills . They become Acts after being approved three times by Parliament and receiving
256-705: Is governed by a cabinet and Prime Minister commanding a majority in Parliament. The Speaker of the House is currently Tai Tura . The Deputy Speaker is Tingika Elikana . The Cook Islands Parliament is descended from the Cook Islands Legislative Council established in October 1946. Established to provide for political representation and better local government in the islands, the Legislative Council
288-755: Is often referred to as the Green Nobel . The Goldman Environmental Prize was created in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman . As of 2019 , the award amount is $ 200,000. The winners are selected by an international jury who receive confidential nominations from a worldwide network of environmental organizations and individuals. Prize winners participate in a 10-day tour of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony and presentation, news conferences, media briefings and meetings with political, public policy, financial and environmental leaders. The award ceremony features short documentary videos on each winner, narrated by Robert Redford through
320-504: Is scrutinised by select committees , which must consist of between five and seven members. Committees have the power to send for witnesses and records to assist in their deliberations. As in other Westminster Systems, the proceedings of select committees are protected by Parliamentary privilege . The number and roles of subject committees is regulated by Standing Orders. Currently the following subject committees exist: In addition there are three standing select committees tasked with
352-432: The Cook Islands government began consultations to revise the seabed minerals act, which would facilitate exploration for deep sea mining . An estimated value of US$ 146 billion worth of manganese nodules are to be found six kilometres down on the ocean floor, particularly around the northern islands. The mining methods used to retrieve the minerals will likely be violently damaging to the local ecosystems. In August 2019,
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#1732863203916384-577: The Island Councils , presided over by the Resident Commissioner . Later regulations provided for the unofficial members to be split between the various islands, 3 from Rarotonga, 6 from the outer islands and 1 representing the islands' European population. The island representatives were elected annually, while the European representative was elected to a three-year term. The Legislative Council
416-532: The first-past-the-post system from single-seat constituencies. Ten MPs are elected from constituencies on the main island of Rarotonga , three each from the islands of Aitutaki and Mangaia , two from Atiu , and one each from the islands of Manihiki , Mauke , Mitiaro , Penrhyn , Pukapuka and Rakahanga . The executive branch of the Cook Islands government (the Cabinet ) draws its membership exclusively from Parliament, based on which party or parties can claim
448-506: The Committee of the Whole. When a bill reaches the Committee of the whole House stage, Parliament resolves itself "into committee", forming a committee of all MPs present to consider it. Each Member may speak up to three times on each clause or proposed amendment, for up to 10 minutes at a time, but debate is restricted to the details of the bill rather than its principles. The Committee may amend
480-648: The Cook Islands. Iro, who is a co-chair of the Cook Islands Marine Park Steering Committee, which was tasked with Marae Moana's legal designation, said this bill and marine park signifies “the sacredness of how Cook Islanders view our ocean space. It links us to our ancestors – it’s more than just the ocean.” The legislation also creates fifteen marine protected areas extending to 50 nautical miles around each island where no large scale commercial fishing or seabed minerals activities are permitted. Fishing and mineral exploration will still exist in
512-514: The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, stated that a motivation to introduce deep-sea mining was a factor in the government's support of the Marae Moana: "We have minerals in our ocean, it’s just a matter of coming up with the technology to exploit it but not damage the environment. That’s why we’re keen to [set up] this marine park first so that it sets the standards for any exploitation: that’s why we’re doing it". In September 2019, Jacqueline Evans,
544-510: The assent of the King's Representative . Most bills are introduced by the government, but individual MPs can also promote their own bills, and one day a week is set aside for member's business. Debate is severely limited, with no debate on the First or Third readings , and possibly none on the Second. Voting is by voice vote or division, and there is no provision for proxy voting. The first stage of
576-469: The bill as it sees fit, provided the amendments are relevant to the subject matter of the bill and the particular clause, and not inconsistent with any clause already agreed to. Amendments may be introduced during the debate, or in writing and placed on the Order Paper . When all clauses have been debated and amendments agreed to or negatived, the bill is reported back, and there is a final vote on whether
608-588: The bill is approved, then its long title is read, and it is either committed for the Committee of the whole House, or sent by motion to a Select Committee or to the House of Ariki . If a bill is intended to be sent to Select Committee or the House of Arikis, the Second Reading is pro forma , and there is no debate. Bills may be sent to a Select Committee or to the House of Ariki for consideration. The committee or House of Ariki typically has three months to consider
640-441: The bill, though this time may be extended. Parliament may give instructions extending or restricting the terms of the committee's or House or Ariki's consideration. Following consideration, the House votes on whether to adopt the committee or House of Ariki's report. If the motion passes, the bill goes straight to its Third Reading, without a Committee of the whole. Alternatively, the bill may be recommitted for consideration by
672-702: The exclusive economic zone, but is to be done sustainably. The Prime Minister, Henry Puna , said, “Socially, economically and spiritually we must all take care of it – and it is imperative that all those that live and exist both within and beyond its boundaries do recognise and respect its sanctity,”. “We do not only recognise that the ocean brings us revenue in terms of fishery and tourism and potentially sea bed minerals – it also provides us with clean air, clean water, and clean food to nourish and sustain us.” “So this bill aims to sustain our livelihoods by protecting species and ecosystems as well as our cultural heritage that we inherit and pass on to future generations.” Iro
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#1732863203916704-528: The national legislature upon independence in 1965. The Parliament consists of 24 members directly elected by universal suffrage from single-seat constituencies. Members are elected for a limited term, and hold office until Parliament is dissolved (a maximum of four years). It meets in Avarua , the capital of the Cook Islands, on Rarotonga . The Cook Islands follows the Westminster system of government, and
736-534: The park, expanding policy and regulations and developing a plan that designates permitted areas for industrial activities. Her removal as director has attracted local media criticism. Parliament of the Cook Islands Opposition (10) The Parliament of the Cook Islands ( Cook Islands Māori : Te Marae Akarau Vānanga o te Kuki Airani ) is the legislature of the Cook Islands . Originally established under New Zealand administration, it became
768-553: The process is the First Reading. The bill is formally presented to Parliament, and the short title is read by the Clerk. There is no debate, and no vote. For the purposes of the First Reading a bill may consist only of its short title. The Second Reading may take place at any time up to a month after the first. There is normally a debate on the general principles and merits of the bill, with speeches of up to 20 minutes long. If
800-541: The regulation of parliament. These are: The Parliament is currently in its 18th term. Goldman Environmental Prize Awardees are named from each of the world's six geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America. The award is given by the Goldman Environmental Foundation headquartered in San Francisco, California . The Prize
832-441: The report of the committee is adopted by the House. The Third Reading may be taken on the same day as a bill is reported back by the Committee of the whole, the House of Ariki or Select Committee. Minor amendments may be proposed for correcting errors or oversights, but no material amendments may be proposed. There is no debate. If the bill is passed, it is referred to the King's Representative for their assent. Legislation
864-621: The unclear determination of what areas of the park can be mined. Technical Director of the Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) Kelvin Passfield displayed concern about the lack of information available regarding potential mining sites, saying “we’re not saying no to seabed mining, [but] it depends on more information than we’ve got now". The Cook Islands government has also faced a history of accusations of exploiting its national waters, including selling fishing licenses to foreign companies. Henry Puna ,
896-529: Was a subordinate legislature. It was empowered to legislate for the "peace, order, and good government" of the islands, but could not pass laws repugnant to the laws of New Zealand, appropriate revenue, impose import or export duties, or impose criminal penalties in excess of one year's imprisonment or a £100 fine. The council consisted of 20 members, ten "official" members appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand and ten "unofficial" members drawn from
928-494: Was abolished. The original three-year term was increased to four years in 1969, and five years in 1981. A referendum to reduce it to four years failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority in 1999, but passed in 2004. The Cook Islands Parliament takes the British House of Commons as its model. It consists of 24 members, known as " Members of Parliament " (MPs). Members are elected by universal suffrage using
960-420: Was inspired to create this legislation from his experience with the islands and ocean and seeing environmental decay such as pollution and overfishing. "When I moved back here (from New Zealand) about 16 years ago I saw what was happening to the lagoons and reefs and really wanted to protect them for my kids," he said. "I want them to have the same experience I did as a boy growing up." The park includes atolls ,
992-425: Was renamed the Parliament of the Cook Islands in 1981. Both the size and term of Parliament have fluctuated since independence. In 1965, it consisted of 22 members elected for a period of 3 years. The size was increased to 24 members in 1981, and again to 25 in 1991. It was reduced again to 24 members in 2003 when the overseas constituency created under the 1980–81 Constitution Amendment
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1024-648: Was reorganised in 1957 as the Legislative Assembly with 22 elected members and 4 appointed officials. Fifteen of the members were elected directly by secret ballot, and seven were elected by the Island Councils. In 1962, the Assembly was given full control of its own budget. In that year it also debated the country's political future and chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. On independence in 1965 it gained full legislative power. It
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