New Zealand's concerns over Cook Islands' shadow fleet revealed in OIA request

a photo taken on December 28, 2024 off Porkkalanniemi, Kirkkonummi, in the Gulf of Finland, shows oil tanker Eagle S (R), which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands, next to Finnish border guard ship Uisko (back C) and tugboat Ukko (front L)....

Cook Islands reaffirms climate leadership amidst U.S withdrawal from Paris Agreement

Cook Islands has called for continued global cooperation to address climate crisis and for the global community to fill any funding gaps left by the United States after its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. This comes after the United States...

Cook Islands' diplomatic snub to NZ will be noticed - commentator

NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Cook Islands PM Mark Brown. Photo: RNZ/Pacific Islands Forum/123RF A snub by the Cook Islands prime minister will be watched by any nations keen to see how deep New Zealand's partnerships in the region really...

Coaching duo leading Cook Islands U16 women’s team to OFC Qualifiers

Tupou Brogan (head coach) and Claudine Robati (assistant coach) of the Cook Islands U16 women’s national football team. CIFA MEDIA/25033130 As the Cook Islands prepares to host the U16 OFC Women’s Championship League Qualifying Stage, Cook Islands...

Pacific islands push back against growing climate threats

The Cook Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are separated by around 6,000 kilometres of Pacific Ocean. Despite the vast stretch of water between them, the two small island nations share a common challenge: how to protect their people...

Cook Islands dicusses deep-sea mining research with China

Peter Roberts is Australia’s new High Commissioner to Fiji. He will replace Ewen McDonald who is moving to Papua New Guinea. Roberts is currently the Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Tokyo. “Australia and Fiji share a deep relationship...

Cook Islands’ China deal raises New Zealand’s concerns

New Zealand has expressed “significant concern” over the Cook Islands’ plan to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is set to visit Beijing from February 10 to 14 to sign a joint action...

Cook Islands police hit by 'realities of job market' amid staff shortages

Rarotonga police station Photo: RNZI / Mary Baines Cook Islands police are struggling with a personnel shortage due to "remuneration levels" and a lack of opportunities for career advancement within the force. Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt told...

Te Ipukarea Society: Filling knowledge gaps on rare seabirds in the Cook Islands

Recent seabird surveys confirm the breeding status of three petrels and shearwaters on Rarotonga including the IUCN Near Threatened Tahiti petrel. TIS/25040401 Petrels and shearwaters make up a unique group of seabirds. Their beaks have a...

Cook Islands, NZ reaffirm strong ties on Waitangi Day celebration

Prime Minister Mark Brown, High Commissioner of Aotearoa New Zealand Catherine Graham, celebrate Te Tiriti o Waitangi and acknowledge the Cook Islands 60th anniversary of self-governance. MELINA ETCHES/25020701 New Zealand and the Cook Islands...

Cook Islands ‘failed to properly consult’ on China deal, says New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister

Prime Minister Mark Brown and New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters at the PM’s Office in Avarua on February 7, 2024. CANDICE LUKE/ 24020788 The diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand over the China...

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

AFP 14 Feb, 2025 07:12 AM3 mins to read Subscribe to listen Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe now ‌ Save Share Share this article Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter/X LinkedIn Reddit...

Otago's Cook Islands community creates ‘home away from home’ for overseas students

The Cook Islands community in Otago is dedicated to making overseas students feel welcome and at home. On Sunday, Te Vaka Cook Islands of Dunedin organised a warm and heartfelt church service for young Cook Islanders and other Pacific students who...

Cook Islands: Communities Activate To Ready Safety Shelters

Cook Islands Investment Incorporation (CIIC), Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) & Office Of The Prime Minister (OPM) Joint Press Release RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS, 03 February 2025. Following the announcement of the launch of the Rarotonga...

Cook Islands political crisis – China is directly encroaching on Realm of NZ

Mark Brown on China deal: ‘No need for New Zealand to sit in the room with us’ The Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with China, which is expected to be penned in Beijing next...

Majority of businesses report structural, coastal damages in Cook Islands

Cook Islands businesses have rallied round in the wake of last week’s flooding as they prepare for another battering. The king tides, which reached as high as 4.5 metres on the south side of Rarotonga, are expected to return on today, with some...

Cook Islands committed to global efforts to end plastic pollution

The Cook Islands was represented by a delegation of 10 from the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Infrastructure Cook Islands, National Environment Service, University of Melbourne and the Secretariat of the Pacific...

Cook Islands backs down from passport proposal

The Cook Islands has backed down from its controversial passport proposal after New Zealand warned it was "willing to punish Cook Islanders", its prime minister, Mark Brown, says. Cook Islands operates in free association with New Zealand. The...

Cook Islands PM aims to boost trade ties during China visit

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will visit China next week, the first visit by a leader of the small South Pacific state in a decade, to help improve ties ranging from trade, climate and investment to tourism and...

Environmentalists question Henry Puna's role in deep sea mining firm

Henry Puna. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Environmentalists in the Cook Islands have criticised former Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) head Henry Puna for joining the board of a deep sea mining company. Puna, who finished his term as...