Cook Islands and Republic of Poland establish diplomatic relations

Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Kairangi Samuela, and the Polish Head of Mission, Patryk Blaszczak, at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Wellington yesterday. Cook Islands High Commission/25032424 Cook Islands has established...

‘Become a Māori again’: Rebuilding education the Cook Islands way

The first Ranga Ia Te Korero - Historic Education and Heritage Symposium, held over four days, drew100 attendees each day. MELINA ETCHES/25050822 A significant national event dedicated to revitalising education through culture, language and...

Cook Islands continues to advocate for a balanced approach

The Cook Islands delegation at the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships, 18th session. MFAI/25032021 The Cook Islands advocates for a balanced maritime levy, ensuring Small Island Developing States...

Cook Islands host visits by diplomatic envoys for Czech Republic, Portugal

Tepaeru Herrmann. 23101352 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) welcomes to the Cook Islands diplomatic envoys from the Portuguese Republic, Ambassador António Albuquerque de Vilhena Moniz, and the Czech Republic, Ambassador Jana...

Circle Cook Islands leads the way in upcycling

Circle-Cook-Islands. 25042808 Circle Cook Islands evolved out of Sabine Janneck’s unwavering commitment to protecting the environment. A self-described eco-warrior, Janneck turned to upcycling during the COVID-19 pandemic when tourism dried up,...

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...

Autonomous Benthic Mini Landers Deployed to Obtain Subsea Data">

Odyssey Marine Exploration successfully deployed two ABMLs in the Cook Islands’ EEZ. The systems, engineered by Develogic GmbH for Odyssey, will collect in situ environmental data from ~4,900 meters depth to build long-term datasets supporting the...

Pacific Churches back ICJ Climate ruling, Call for deep-sea mining ban and rights of nature

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) landmark climate ruling, describing it as a “watershed for climate justice” and backing a regional ban on deep-sea mining while urging the recognition...

Pacific Islands News Roundup – October 17 – 23, 2025

Political Leadership and Regionalism, Peace and Security Outspoken Former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani Passes Away (In-depth Solomons) New Caledonia: FLNKS concerned about the postponement of provincial elections, “satisfied” with the green...

Cook Islanders 'completely sucked in': Deep sea mining companies accused of infiltrating society

Cook Islands nodule field - photo taken within Cook Islands EEZ. Photo: Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority Deep sea mining companies in the Cook Islands are being accused of using charity to change public perception. However, one mining...

Cook Islands NGOs highlight threats of seabed mining

Apii Avarua students with copies of Te Ipukarea Society’s new children’s books: “Treasures of the Deep”, which highlights the value of polymetallic nodules for marine life and the wider ecosystem, and “Unbroken”, which explores the cycles of life....

Pacific Churches back ICJ Climate ruling, Call for deep-sea mining ban…

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has welcomed the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) landmark climate ruling, describing it as a “watershed for climate justice” and backing a regional ban on deep-sea mining while urging the recognition...

'Die very quickly': Cook Islands sanctuary raises alarm over malnourished turtles

Turtles have unique facial patterns that can be used to identify them, like a human's fingerprints. Photo: Supplied / Te Ipukarea Society A Cook Islands animal sanctuary is raising the alarm about malnourished turtles washing up dead on...

After UN court says countries can sue over climate damage, Christian leader warns: ‘The real crisis is spiritual’

File photo of the judges of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands. Michel Porro/Getty Images In a landmark legal development with global implications, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion on...

Former Audit Director reveals deep-rooted cultural influence behind Cook Islands corruption

Paul Raui Pokoati Allsworth at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands Campus on Thursday night. TALAIA MIKA / 25042102. Former Director of Audit, Paul Allsworth, claims that cultural ties and environmental factors are strong...

Cook Islands women summit sets action plans for key issues

Cook Islands National Council of Woman (CINCW) wrapped up its three-day Uikaraurau (summit). Pictured are the new office bearers: vice president (Southern Group) Nga Teao-Papatua (left), president Vaine Wichman, and Rosie Blake, a founding member...

In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the US and China emerges

Deep below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the seafloor is dotted with clusters of brown and black rocks, each containing valuable metals. The rocks, known as polymetallic nodules, hold reserves of critical minerals that could be used to power...

Five ways Pacific island nations are tackling climate change

Pacific island nation Vanuatu has triggered a landmark court ruling that has set out the big polluters' responsibilities when it comes to climate change. Hindered by their isolation and lack of economic clout, Pacific island nations have...

Letter: Taxing Shell exports from the Cook Islands

Dear Editor, a proposal to someone in government that is in-charge of maintaining marine life. Each year, thousands of visitors come to our beautiful shores and collect seashells as souvenirs, seemingly harmless tokens of their island experience....

Smartie: Cook Islands tech start-up selected for prestigious expo

Cook Islands-based tech company Smartie has been selected as one of only nine start-up tech companies from across the Pacific to attend Viva Technology 2025 – Europe’s largest start-up and tech expo, which will be held in France. Smartie founder...