Bio-diversity

The Vaka Taunga-Te Rito O Te Vairakau Maori Inc. was established in 1999 on Rarotonga and Incorporated in 2000. The primary aim of the Organization is to assist the traditional healers and to encourage them to openly practice their trational healing practices. As an Incorporated body, the members are guided by the rules of the Organization. In 2004, under the National Biodiversity Stategic Action Plan Programme (NBSAP) coordinated by the National Environment Service and funded by UNDP, The Incorporation was able to establish branches on the islands of Magaia and Mitiaro. With its current membership of 16 on the island of Rarotonga, 19 on Magaia and 12 on Mitiaro, the Organization proposes to encourage healers on the islands of Muk, Aitutaki and Aitu to join the Organization. Ultimately, the Organization intends to bring the traditional healers of the Cook Islands under the umbrella of the Vaka Taunga and to encourage them to practice openly. This, no doubt, considering that the practice utilizes local plants and fauna, it will have a significant impact on the level of protction of biodiversity in the Cook Islands.

Cook islands