Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced the Cook Islands’ intention to establish Ra’ui To’ora, a Dynamic Ocean Protection Zone for whales, a Pacific-led innovation grounded in Indigenous stewardship and cutting-edge marine science.
Unveiled at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), Ra’ui To’ora will provide seasonal protection for the endangered Oceania sub-population of humpback whales as they migrate through the Cook Islands’ waters. This visionary initiative draws from the traditional concept of ra’ui, a customary conservation practice applied at oceanic scale for the first time.
“The To’ora, or whale, is not just a species to us, it is a spiritual and cultural symbol of who we are as Cook Islanders. With Ra’ui To’ora, we are bringing forward an ancient practice in a modern form to protect a sacred migratory journey,” said Prime Minister Brown.
The sanctuary is designed to be adaptive and informed by 25 years of whale research, including satellite tagging. Initial mapping suggests the zone will encompass over 400,000 square kilometres of ocean, reinforcing national obligations under the Marae Moana Act and contributing toward Cook Islands’ “30 by 30” conservation commitment.
“Ra’ui To’ora reflects a growing global truth: that traditional knowledge and science can work together to shape powerful solutions,” the Prime Minister added. “With regional cooperation, this could become the foundation of the Pacific’s first transboundary whale protection corridor, charting a course that blends tradition, science and sovereignty.”
The Cook Islands Government, with the House of Ariki, is leading discussions on governance and implementation mechanisms, with support from the Ministry of Marine Resources and the Marae Moana Coordination Office.
