Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
NZ’s furious act towards tiny island nation
The Geelong Advertiser
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand’s government halted aid to close partner the Cook Islands on Thursday because of a row over agreements the Pacific island nation struck with China. New Zealand “paused” the payments and would not resume them until the Cook Islands took...
Air Tahiti Unveils TERAIEFA: A New ATR 72-600 Honoring Tuamotu Heritage
FTN News
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June 27, 2025
Air Tahiti has introduced TERAIEFA, a new ATR 72-600 aircraft that embodies both technological advancement and deep cultural roots. With a name drawn from the Tuamotu archipelago’s Reo Mihiroa language meaning “the appearing sky” or “the skies...
Reader photo pick of the week: Shells
The Post & Courier - South Carolina
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June 27, 2025
The beaches along South Carolina's coastline provide us with ample opportunities to scout for items of intrigue during a leisurely stroll. I've spotted sand dollars, jellyfish, a large horseshoe crab and swaths of seashells. From Ronald Allan...
Mangaia seeks clarity on seabed mining, welcomes engagement
Cook Island News
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June 18, 2025
Three of the traditional leaders in Mangaia under the leadership of Mangaia’s Numangatini Ariki Tangitamaiti Tereapii during the consultation. TALAIA MIKA/ 25061713 Concerns over proposed seabed mining in the Cook Islands are beginning to ease in...
Building Pacific capacities to support trade and market access
Pacific Community (SPC)
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To strengthen the skills of Pacific biosecurity, border control, exporter representatives and relevant stakeholders in using Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) databases and platforms, a regional capacity-building workshop is underway in...
Letter: New Zealand aid
Cook Island News
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June 26, 2025
Dear Editor, There is a claim by some doing the rounds, that New Zealand’s economy is struggling, and the aid freeze is just a convenient excuse to pull back funding. TBH (to be honest) think it through, that’s highly unlikely, budgeted foreign...
Budget debate starts as PAC backs $336 million spending
Cook Island News
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June 17, 2025
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chair Teokotai Herman in Parliament on June 16, 2025. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25061623 The 2025/26 Cook Islands National Budget, totalling $336,135,968, has been scrutinised and reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee...
Seabed mining company aims to win Pa Enua opinion with 'facts'
Cook Island News
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June 16, 2025
One of the three seabed mining companies exploring the Cook Islands seabed for deep-sea nodules will be visiting the Southern Pa Enua for the first time this week as part of its expanded community engagement programme. The crew including CI News...
Pacific news in brief for 18 June
RNZ
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June 17, 2025
Last year, the late Kiingi Tuheitia and Cook Islands Kaumaiti Nui Toa Ariki signed a treaty that seeks to grant more protections for whales. Photo: Supplied: Operation Cetaces Tonga - whales Tonga's princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho is...
Global Tobacco Epidemic: WHO Warns of Rising Industry Interference
MedEdge MEA
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June 27, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, warning that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control as rising...
China in the Pacific – Joint statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
The Fiji Times
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June 26, 2025
FROM May 28 to 29, 2025, the People’s Republic of China and Pacific Island Countries having diplomatic relations with China (hereinafter referred to as “All parties”) held the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The...
Pacific news in brief for 27 June
RNZ
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June 26, 2025
USP Photo: Facebook / USP Papua New Guinea - education The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape has announced that PNG students at the University of the South Pacific (USP) campuses will receive govenment financial support. He also said...
Asia New Zealand Foundation poll shows more Kiwis see China as threat, US trust hits new low
The New Zealand Herald
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June 16, 2025
New Zealanders’ perception of China as a threat rose from 28% in November 2024 to 40% in March 2025. The shift comes after developments in the Pacific region such as China’s naval exercises in the Tasman Sea and the signing of a strategic...
ADB’s Director General for Pacific in Honiara
Solomon Star
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June 25, 2025
Director General (DG) of the Pacific Department within the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) is on a five-day visit to the Solomons. Emma Veve who was appointed to the position in late February 2025 arrived in Honiara on Monday and has been visiting...
Hawaiian cultural group connects with roots in Rarotonga
Cook Island News
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June 25, 2025
The Nā Pua 'Āhihi Lehua Mai Pihanakalani cultural group from Hawai‘i is currently in Rarotonga on a week-long cultural exchange visit. The group are pictured at the Beach Hut in Ngatangiia. Nani Welch Keliihoomalu/25062401 The Nā Pua 'Āhihi Lehua...
Pacific leaders call for peace amid Middle East tensions as Melanesia eyes regional solidarity
Pacific Media Network
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Pacific leaders have voiced their worries about the ongoing political unrest around the world, especially the conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The concerns were shared during a meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group...
Ministry of Agriculture boosts capacity in plant and soil health
Cook Island News
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June 19, 2025
Two specialists from the Pacific Community (SPC) are in Rarotonga this week delivering vital training to help the Ministry of Agriculture build more sustainable farming systems. Standing from left: Dr Rohit Lal, a soil scientist, William Wigmore,...
Atiu’s Areora Hard Courts reopen for sports
Cook Island News
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June 25, 2025
The newly resurfaced Areora Hard Courts in Atiu are set to be officially opened today, celebrating an important occasion for sports and youth development on the island. Plexipave New Zealand/25062310 The newly resurfaced Areora Hard Courts in Atiu...
Police record highest drunk driving arrests in single night
Cook Island News
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June 10, 2025
Cook Islands Police checkpoint outside of Police Headquarters in town. COOK ISLANDS POLICE SERVICES/25060913 Cook Islands Police detained five drivers for drunk driving, the highest number in a single night, and are investigating the Rarotonga...
Bay News: Century-old notebook reveals early UV water sterilisation method
Northern Advocate
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“It’s Purdie’s observations of a method of water sterilisation that are particularly remarkable,” says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Northland manager Bill Edwards. “What he describes is sterilising water using ultra-violet light generated...