Environmentalists in the Cook Islands have criticised former Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) head Henry Puna for joining the board of a deep sea mining company.
Puna has now joined the board of deep sea mining company Cobalt Seabed Resources (CSR) – a joint venture between the Cook Islands government and the Belgium company Global Sea Mineral Resources.
CSR is currently undertaking exploration in the Cook Islands EEZ, along with two other companies. It also has an exploration licence in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, located in the high seas in the central Pacific Ocean.
Environmental advocates say Puna’s new role conflicts with his conservation work.
The Te Ipukarea Society said Puna was interested in the deep sea mining industry while simultaneously pushing for the creation of Marae Moana during his time as Prime Minister.
