Cook Islands PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead a 11-member delegation to Australia this week for an “open dialogue” on seabed exploration activities. The delegation includes: Sonny Williams – Associate Minister for Seabed Minerals, Travel Tou...

Deep sea mining decision already made, Cook Islands opposition leader says

Cook Islands nodule field - photo taken within Cook Islands EEZ. Photo: Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority The Cook Islands' opposition leader believes the government has already decided it wants to pursue deep sea mining despite the science...

Stat of the week: In 2024, the Cook Islands recorded a negative trade balance of -161,697 USD

In 2024, the Cook Islands recorded a negative trade balance of -161,697 USD. This means the value of imports exceeded exports, highlighting ongoing economic pressures and reliance on external goods. As small island economies like the Cook Islands...

Cook Islands holds national consultations on the BBNJ Agreement

The Cook Islands government, in collaboration with the Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner (OPOC), held the national consultations on the Ratification and Implementation of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the...

Cook Islands PM assured AUKUS deal will not breach Rarotonga Treaty

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has said he has received assurances that the recent Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) proposals will not contravene the Treaty of Rarotonga. PM Brown, who undertook a series of high-level...

New Zealand withdraws millions in aid from Cook Islands

New Zealand has abruptly halted nearly $NZ20 million ($US11 million) in funding to the Cook Islands in retaliation for a partnership agreement the tiny Pacific Island nation concluded with China in February without consulting Wellington. NZ...

Cook Islands joins Pacific media in push for ‘Loss and Damage’ climate action

Journalists from across the region, including Cook Islands, are in Samoa for the three-day training to touch base on the losses and the damages being experienced in the Pacific due to climate change. SPREP The ongoing battle against climate change...

Bridging Divides: A call for new dialogue amid NZ's suspension of aid to the Cook Islands

As a Cook Islander and political analyst, I am deeply concerned by the New Zealand Government’s recent decision to pause core budgetary aid to the Cook Islands. The action was taken in response to the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic...

Cook Islands proud to stand as part of GEF constituency

Participants of the Asia-Pacific GEF Constituency Meeting and Operational Focal Point Training held at the Edgewater Resort last week. NES / 25051845. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Tingika Elikana says the Cook Islands has had a...

Cook Islands secures funding for climate, energy projects

The Cook Islands will receive USD $188,750 to roll out four major projects aimed at protecting the ozone layer and reducing harmful emissions from cooling systems. The Cook Islands will receive USD $188,750 to roll out four major projects aimed at...

Watch: Preparing for the biggest Cook Islands festival in Aotearoa

Te Maeva Nui NZ is seen as the largest Cook Islands cultural festival outside of the Cook Islands. Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor went along to an audition night for the only team outside of Auckland, Oire-Te Whanganui a Tara with camera man Mark Papalii....

'Puts New Zealand in a weaker position' - expert on Peters' Cook Islands move

The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...

China could be major beneficiary of New Zealand's move on Cook Islands - security expert

The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...

New Zealand Halts Funding Amid Cook Islands-China Ties

In a significant diplomatic move, New Zealand has suspended millions in funding to the Cook Islands due to growing concerns about the Pacific nation’s agreements with China. Officials from the New Zealand Foreign Minister’s office announced that...

New Zealand halts funding to former colony the Cook Islands over China deals

New Zealand has halted funding to the Cook Islands over what it considers the small Pacific nation's deepening ties with China. While the Cook Islands is a self-governing country, New Zealand remains its largest funder, and has paused $16.9...

New Zealand halts aid to Cook Islands over China deals

WELLINGTON — 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...

New Zealand halts millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over deals with China

The self-governing Cook Islands, a country of 17,000 people, has a “free association” relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand, which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence read more New...

Cook Islands nurses plea for ‘real action’ on International Day

Cook Islands nurses joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Nurses Day yesterday. Cook Islands chief nursing officer Ngatamariki Manea says a sustainable and effective health system is one that includes nurses at the...

Stars align for unity: Matariki unites NZ and Cook Islands amidst tensions

A little performance at the Matariki celebration based on the importance of Matariki. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25061816 Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga hosted the annual Matariki celebration, emphasising...

Hawaii Coast Guard crew wraps up enforcement mission in Cook Islands

1/2 Swipe or click to see more AUSTIN WILEY / U.S. COAST GUARD / JUNE 7 A 26-foot over-the-horizon small boat carrying Coast Guard crew, two Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources fisheries officers and a translator from the U.S. Marine Corps...