Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
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...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
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...
Owner: Todd Carpenter & Canso Investment Counsel
Cook Islands is Chair for Pacific Region’s GEF ISLANDS Project
Halatoa Fua. Photo: Supplied/20102821 The Cook Islands is the chair for the Pacific Region’s Project Steering Committee (PSC), which has the largest portion of the GEF ISLAND fund. GEF ISLANDS is the largest singular project by the Global...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
USCGC Harriet Lane Conducts Maritime Law Enforcement Operations With Cook Islands Partners
From Coast Guard 14th District External Affairs, June 16, 2025 RAROTONGA, Cook Islands – The U.S. Coast Guard concluded bilateral maritime law enforcement operations alongside Cook Islands law enforcement partners offshore Rarotonga Friday. The...
Owner: Navy League of the United States
Tensions rise as New Zealand freezes millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over China deals
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...
Owner: Evgeny Lebedev
Decades of climate uncertainty: Cook Islands grower speaks
After more than 30 years of farming on her Takuvaine plantation, Jean Tekura Mason says climate change has disrupted everything she understood about farming. “I’ve been a planter, gardener for over 30 years basically and what I’ve noticed over...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane and Cook Islands successful joint operation
From left, Bernnan Augustine, Bermy Ariihee, Sai Sarau and Tyler Broch. US Coast Guard and Maritime Cook Islands TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25061334 Two officers from the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) recently collaborated with the US Coast Guard in...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
Xi to Luxon: No China-New Zealand conflict, even as Cook Islands pivot raises eyebrows
BEIJING, June 20 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said today that Beijing had “no fundamental conflicts of interest” with New Zealand, as he welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on an official visit. Luxon’s trip comes at a time of tension with...
Owner: Dato' Siew Ka Wei
GSTC and Content With Purpose create new digital travel series on sustainable tourism
GSTC and Content With Purpose launch Travel Redefined, a global digital series showcasing sustainable tourism solutions through films, case studies, and expert interviews. Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in partnership with Content With...
Owner: Theodore Koumelis and Vicky Karantzavelou
Coastal studies to combat erosion and climate risks
NES Environmental Compliance team with Beca International Consultants. NES/25081404/ 25081407 Coastal feasibility studies have commenced on Rarotonga and Aitutaki through the National Environment Service (NES) and international consultancy firm...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
Cook Islands part of Global Chemical Safety talks
Halatoa Fua (left), Director of the National Environment Service and Temarama Anguna-Kamana, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture are pictured at the 2025 Basel-Rotterdam-Stockholm Conference of the Parties (BRS COP), which concluded in Geneva...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
Strengthening crisis planning between Australia and Cook Islands
Australia’s Pacific Coordinator in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Crisis Preparedness and Management Branch, Angela Johnson (third from left), visited Rarotonga to enhance cooperation on crisis response and consular planning. She is...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
Geospatial training empowers Cook Islands agencies in marine management planning
The Marine Spatial Planning workshop in May brought together participants from key national agencies, including the National Environment Services (NES), Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR), Ministry of Transport...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
Cook Islands environment group calls on govt to speak out against U.S Trump’s deep seabed mining order
Cook Islands’ leading environmental lobby group is hoping that the Cook Islands government will speak out against the recent executive order from United States President Donald Trump aimed at fast-tracking seabed mining. Te Ipukarea Society (TIS)...
Owner: Kalafi Moala
Climate insecurity hits Pacific, police minister warns
Police Minister Paula Piukala urges urgent action on climate-driven security risks. The Minister for Police, the Hon Paula Piveni Piukala, has told the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference climate change poses the “greatest security...
Owner: Kalafi Moala
UN report: Five charts showing how global deforestation is declining
The amount of forest lost around the world has reduced by millions of hectares each year in recent decades, but countries are still off track to meet “important” deforestation targets. These are the findings of the Global Forest Resources...
Owner: Carbon Brief Ltd
Cook Islands environment group calls on govt to speak out against…
Neutral
Pacific News Service
·
Cook Islands’ leading environmental lobby group is hoping that the Cook Islands government will speak out against the recent executive order from United States President Donald Trump aimed at fast-tracking seabed mining. Te Ipukarea Society (TIS)...
Owner: The Pacific Islands News Association Ltd
Cook Islands environment group calls on govt to speak out against US Trump’s deep seabed mining order
Hundreds of people peacefully rallied at sea to protect the ocean from seabed activities in August 2024. TE IPUKAREA SOCIETY/24091830/24091831/24091832 Cook Islands’ leading environmental lobby group is hoping that the Cook Islands government will...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
Pickleball Cook Islands launches membership drive with big growth plans
Pickleball Cook Islands enthusiasts, the Power Puff pickles team of Tiare Kora (left) and Manine Lynch celebrate the Trader Jacks tournament. MELINA ETCHES/25052601 Pickleball Cook Islands (PCI) has officially launched its 2025 membership drive,...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods
Cook Islands marks World Red Cross Day with fundraiser, quiz
This year, the Cook Islands Red Cross Society is celebrating World Red Cross Day with a splash of red, a dose of community spirit and a fun challenge for all ages. Held every year on May 8 (today), World Red Cross Day recognises the work of Red...
Owner: Liz Woods & John Woods