Cook Islands says in talks with China on deep-sea mining

Cook Islands says in talks with China on deep-sea mining by AFP Staff Writers Sydney (AFP) Feb 14, 2025 Cook Islands officials said Friday they had discussed seabed minerals research with China as the small Pacific island mulls deep-sea mining of...

Deep-rooted cultural influence behind Cook Islands corruption – former audit director

Swire Shipping announced that three of its vessels serving the South Pacific have made the switch to B24 and B30 2nd generation biofuel blends. The voluntary move supports Swire Shipping’s long-term sustainability ambitions and will provide more...

‘The Biggest Climate Case in History’: Behind the Campaign That Inspired the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change

As the International Court of Justice is set to present its long-awaited advisory opinion on climate change on Wednesday, Earth.Org recaps how we got here and what we can expect from the court’s opinion. — “Young people around the world stepped...

Cook Islands PM defends China pact

Cook Islands PM defends China pact by AFP Staff Writers Sydney (AFP) Feb 18, 2025 The Cook Islands' prime minister on Tuesday defended a new partnership pact with China and urged his country not to depend on handouts from "big brother" New...

Cook Islands must find new solutions to old gender equality problems, says Tuarae

The Cook Islands National Council of Women (CINCW) 2023 Annual General Meeting on 1st August. MELINA ETCHES/23080129 Despite global efforts, the Cook Islands National Council of Women’s three-day summit this week highlights that the core gender...

Cook Islands PM accuses NZ media, experts of thinking ‘we are too dumb’

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, left, shakes hands with China's Premier Li Qiang. REUTERS RAROTONGA (Cook Islands News/Pacnews) — Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has hit out at the New Zealand media and experts for their "ludicrous"...

Cook Islands new security policy highlights climate, economic context for Pacific

A new national security policy launched by the Cook Islands in the margins of a regional meeting of Pacific security advisers has brought the security dimensions of climate and economic crises into the spotlight. “Maintaining economic stability is...

Pacific region sets out climate targets at UN Bonn dialogue

At the UN climate talks in Bonn, Pacific nations called for urgent and fairer climate finance to deliver NDC3.0, warning that delays are costing lives and stalling action. Pacific Island countries are calling for faster and fairer access to...

Cook Islands seeking New Zealand expertise for Sovereign Wealth Fund

Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament on February 24, 2025. TALAIA MIKA/25022415 The Cook Islands government has taken further steps towards establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), with officials currently in New Zealand holding discussions...

Cook Islands China deal riles allies as West's grip loosens

Katy WatsonPacific correspondent ShareSave The remote and resource-rich Cook Islands has antagonised old allies over a deal with China The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty and his signing of a range of deals...

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...

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 Islands deal sparks concern

An archipelago of 15 islands in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands has found itself at the center of geopolitical competition. Its recent decision to sign an action plan for a “comprehensive strategic partnership...

Cook Islands strikes deal with China on seabed minerals

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: RNZ Pacific / Caleb Fotheringham The Cook Islands said Saturday it has struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching the Pacific nation's seabed mineral riches. A...

Cook Island/China deal far worse than we possibly feared – this is a direct challenge to NZ sovereignty and MFAT caused it!

Now the scale of what the Cook Islands has secretly signed with China is clear, NZ has every right to be furious at the Cook Islands treason. The deal is far worse than we feared. It is an immediate green light to China building a Port and that...

Cook Islands and China Partner on Sustainable Seabed Resource Development

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Blue Partnership in the Field of Seabed Minerals Affairs with the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, reinforcing a shared...

Cook Islands eyes China investment in blue economy

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 14, 2025. Brown is here for the closing ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)/25021438...

Building momentum for sustainable catchment and lagoon health

The University of Newcastle (UoN), Australia during their water catchment assessments in Rarotonga earlier this month. NES /25071605. As part of the ongoing GEF7-funded Project ENUA (Enhancing Nature’s Unique Areas), the University of Newcastle...

Cook Islands signs strategic agreement with China

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown completed a week-long state visit to China on February 14, signing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to boost relations with Beijing. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks during a plenary...

2025 Air NZ Cook Islands Tourism Awards sponsorship launched

The Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Industry Awards was last hosted in 2020, before the Cook Islands came to a halt when borders shut. Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president, Tere Carr has announced and welcomed the sponsors for the...