Kia Orana Tatou katoa toa. My name is Charlee McLean. I’m from an Island called Rarotonga located in the Cook Islands; a descendent from the Ngati Maoate and Ngati Tiakareva lineage. I was fortunate enough to have been raised by my grandparents who passed down stories of our culture, genealogical and spiritual connection to the land and always reminded me that we don’t own the land, we are only the care takers and have a responsibility to protect our ancestral grounds, communal resources and environment for future generations.

1. Kia Orana Tatou katoa toa. My name is Charlee McLean. I’m from an Island called Rarotonga
located in the Cook Islands; a descendent from the Ngati Maoate and Ngati Tiakareva lineage. I
was fortunate enough to have been raised by my grandparents who passed down stories of our
culture, genealogical and spiritual connection to the land and always reminded me that we don’t
own the land, we are only the care takers and have a responsibility to protect our ancestral
grounds, communal resources and environment for future generations.

2. My ancestors were sea voyagers that sailed through the Pacific Ocean in search of land,
undaunted by the rough seas; like an artist looking at his masterpiece, They sought guidance from
their spiritual ancestors and looked to the stars to map their journey to find the Islands that make
up the Cook Islands nestled in the South East Pacific of Oceania.
This place is my home.

3. Our forefathers, pre-colonisation, lived a simple sustainable lifestyle growing their own food and
using natural resources from the land to build their homes. They planted by the moon growing
root crops such as taro, kumara (sweet potato) and maniota (arrowroot), using natural fertilisers.
They practiced natural medicines using plants. They fished the reefs freely without depleting the
lagoon observing the customary practice called the Ra’ui.

4. The Ra’ui is a valuable custom of special significance in our culture. The Ra’ui system is
the traditional method and practice for the conservation and preservation of any or all
resources whether on land, sea or air. The marine resources were perceived to be under
threat from over-harvesting and fishing, pollution and, in more recent time, climate change.
The intention of the Ra’ui was to allow marine species to rejuvenate. This ancient
methodology of the Ra’ui ensures the sustainability of fish stock, sea food or any
resources that threatens the food security of a community.

5. In 2017, A large-scale Marine Park within the Cook Islands, covering an area of just under 2
million square km, was legislated under the Marae Moana Act 2017. The vision of Marae
Moana, translated into English is: “Our Marae Moana – our nourishing source of life;
respected, cared for and used wisely, today and for generations to come.” It provides a
broad framework within which to plan the conservation and sustainable use of our ocean
resources. This includes protection of large areas of open ocean and the deep ocean. It
allows for the protection of large areas that cover a species life cycle. Marae Moana is also
intended to provide support at the smaller scale, including support for coastal traditional
marine protected areas or marine reserves.

6. Tourism has become one of the most important economic activities in the Pacific islands. For
Cook Islanders, tourism is our largest income earner. As a result of tourism our communities,
environment, traditions, social structures and cultural practices are faced with many challenges.
One of the main challenges is waste management. Rarotonga has only an area of 67.19 km
square (26 square miles) already limited with land space due to the development of tourism
accommodation and related industries. Our landfill is reaching its maximum capacity and the
island is running out of space. Some examples are:

7. 1.The construction of beachfront houses and accommodation = runoff from septic tanks
contaminating not only the lagoon but also food chains - fish, shells fish (ciguatera poisoning)
2.The building of houses and accommodation = left over resources, timber, plastic pipes, etc.
No area for landfill - what to do with the rubbish - put in containers and ship o/seas: majority of
people do not think about where it goes AND do not care.
3.Use of land once used for agriculture now being used to build accommodation - Result
backlog of water creating flooding of adjacent and adjoining properties.

8. There is saying in the Cooks, “no building is to be taller than a coconut tree” – this is a principle
that guides local construction and acts as a security measure to prevent chain resorts and
companies from dominating the tourism industry. We are faced with a catch twenty-two; whilst
our people are benefiting from the increase in the tourism economy, our environment is
suffering the consequences. We are torn between the needs of our people and the needs of our
land. As a nation, many Cook Islanders are reverting back to our traditional practices. Aligning
ourselves again with our ancestors way of life; navigating by the stars, harvesting by the moon,
utilising our natural produce to feed our families.

9. So I say again “we don’t own the land, we are only the care takers. As indigenous people I
believe we hold the key solutions to preserve and to protect our ancestral grounds, communal
resources and environment for future generations.”

10. Meitaki ma’ata (Thank you)
Kia Manui (Best wishes)
Charlee McLean