Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Cook Islands-China deal details to be revealed ‘in the coming days’ – Mark Brown
Island Times
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February 14, 2025
RAROTONGA (RNZ PACIFIC) — Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is aware of the strong interest in the outcomes of his visit to China. The New Zealand government said that the Cook Islands failed to properly consult it on proposed...
Twenty local actors cast in groundbreaking Cook Islands film project
Cook Island News
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March 18, 2025
David Testa and Jesse Totini observe Terence Tangatapoto on camera with Stan Wolfgramm, filming auditions for Film Raro. KARIN WILLIAMS/25031715 In an exciting development for the local film industry, 20 aspiring Cook Islands actors have been cast...
Cook Islands beauty pageant leaders to tackle controversy at key meeting
Pacific Media Network
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A patron of the Cook Islands beauty pageant wants to resolve the controversies surrounding the recent Miss Pacific Islands event in the Solomon Islands. A meeting will be held on Friday afternoon to determine the future direction of Maini Kuki...
Vaka Puaikura electrifies Te Maeva Nui with powerful tribute to leaders
Cook Island News
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July 31, 2025
Vaka Toa Puaikura thrilled the audience with their fantastic ura pa’u on Tuesday night at the Are Karioi Nui. MELINA ETCHES/25073049/25073057/25073059 Vaka Toa Puaikura electrified the stage on Tuesday night with a power-packed performance that...
Cook Islands PM faces no-confidence…
Waatea News
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Role Funding: 0000 The Cook Islands Parliament have filed a motion of no confidence against their Prime Minister Mark Brown and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and their...
Online scammers impersonate friends, fake banks in Cook Islands
Cook Island News
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March 17, 2025
Vulnerable Cook Islanders are being targeted by online scams involving fake prizes and fraudulent financial documents, leading to financial losses and potential security risks. The Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (CIFIU) has detected two...
Cook Islands, UN collaborate on sustainable development priorities
Cook Island News
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February 12, 2025
Minister for Foreign Affairs Tingika Elikana, middle, with UN Resident Coordinator, Themba Kalua, and members of the UN agencies and local participants. TALAIA MIKA/25021107 Cook Islands hosted one-day workshop aimed at enhancing the collaboration...
Cook Islands, China to sign comprehensive strategic partnership on Friday
Cook Island News
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February 12, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown and his delegation visit the National Deep Sea Centre in China. OPM/25021209 The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the Cook Islands and China will be signed this Friday (Thursday, Cook Islands time)....
Workshop aims to uncover and combat gender violence in Cook Islands
Cook Island News
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March 20, 2025
Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI) in collaboration with the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre (FWCC), are facilitating a two-week workshop. From left: Elina Cagilaba – counsellor supervisor, Linda Sanday – regional administrator, Sharon Kareroa – PTI,...
Cook Islands dicusses deep-sea mining research with China
Islands Business
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February 17, 2025
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 says it’s in talks with China on deep-sea mining
The New Zealand Herald
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February 14, 2025
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...
Cook Islands’ ‘strategic’ deal with China angers New Zealand
The Financial Times
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February 10, 2025
Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. The Cook Islands will this week sign a strategic agreement with China, in a move that has rattled the south Pacific...
Deep sea mining frontrunner set to sidestep UN oversight — pivots to US
Samoa News
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May 23, 2025
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Deep sea mining frontrunner The Metals Company (TMC) has confirmed it will not apply for a mining license through the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in June, instead it will exclusively apply through US...
Cook Islands crisis: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?
Asia Pacific Report
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February 10, 2025
The Cook Islands finds itself in a precarious dance — one between the promises of foreign investments and the integrity of our own sovereignty. As the country sways between partners China and Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cook Islands News asks: “Do...
Cook Islands ‘failed to properly consult’ on China deal, says New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister
Cook Island News
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February 9, 2025
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...
New Zealand’s record of colonial oppression of the Cook Islands
World Socialist Web Site
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March 14, 2025
Last month, New Zealand’s political and media establishment erupted in outrage over the decision by the Cook Islands government to sign a wide-ranging strategic partnership agreement with China without consulting Wellington. Map of the south-west...
What’s behind Aotearoa NZ’s row with the Cook Islands over China?
Green Left
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March 13, 2025
A diplomatic row broke out in February between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Cook Islands, after the Cook Islands government signed a range of strategic partnership deals with China. NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters accused Cook Islands Prime...
US takes a another step toward opening the seabed for mining
Hawaii Tribune Herald
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May 22, 2025
Commercial mining on the miles-deep Pacific Ocean floor came one step closer to reality with an announcement late Tuesday by the U.S. Interior Department that it would evaluate a request from a California-based company to extract metals off the...
Cook Islands drops passport bid, forges ahead with China talks
Pacific Media Network
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The Cook Islands government has scrapped plans for a national passport as questions surrounding its upcoming engagement with Beijing are fueling further debate. The controversial move was abandoned following extensive criticism from New Zealand’s...
Landmark Deepsea Environment Moorings Successfully Deployed in the Cook Islands
Ocean Mining Intel - Florida
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The Cook Islands has reached a significant milestone with the first-ever deployment of three deep-sea environmental monitoring mooring arrays north of Aitutaki (figure 1). Conducted under approved exploration licenses, this initiative was a joint...