AGP Executive Report

Maritime Security: Cook Islands agencies are training with the US Coast Guard on search and rescue, disaster response and maritime security. Regional patrols supported by New Zealand have also monitored Cook Islands waters for illegal fishing and unreported vessels. Rugby League: An eligibility proposal from Cook Islands Rugby League has led to a rule change allowing players to represent a country based on a great-grandparent’s heritage, widening the pool for smaller nations. Community Care: A veterinary outreach in Mangaia desexed almost all dogs identified as needing the procedure. Climate and Water: El Niño is raising water-scarcity risks in the Southern Cooks, while northern islands are seeing more rain. Local Development: Two CITC employees became the first Cook Islands-based apprentices to earn New Zealand trade butchery qualifications. Punanga Nui Market: CIIC says Mareko’s relocation is needed to improve parking, pedestrian access and the market layout, amid vendor concerns.

Maritime Security: US Coast Guard-led training is bringing police, ports, immigration and customs together to practise responses to emergencies, search and rescue and maritime threats. Rugby League: A Cook Islands proposal has helped secure a major eligibility change: players can now represent a nation linked to a great-grandparent. Samoa and Tonga have also been elevated to Tier 1 status. Animal Welfare: Te Are Manu’s outreach in Mangaia desexed nearly all dogs identified as needing the procedure. Public Safety: Police are seeking witnesses to the motorbike bag-snatching of a female tourist in Rarotonga; officers say the weekend was otherwise relatively low-key. Climate and Water: A strong El Niño is increasing water-scarcity risks in the Southern Cooks, while the Northern Cooks have seen more rain. Tourism Workforce: Immigration is developing a 2027 pilot to make short-term hospitality work easier for young overseas visitors, with registered employers and set conditions.

Rugby League: Australia and New Zealand meet in Sunday’s World Cup final. The Cook Islands also helped drive a new eligibility rule allowing players to represent a nation through great-grandparents, widening the pool for smaller teams. Water Security: A strong El Niño is worsening water risks across the Pacific; the Southern Cooks are more vulnerable to shortages while the Northern Cooks are seeing more rain. Jobs: Immigration officials are developing a 2027 pilot to make short-term hospitality work easier for young overseas visitors. Two Rarotonga apprentices have become the first locally trained graduates of a recognised butchery qualification. Community Safety: Pokoinu Meeting House in Nikao has reopened after a $122,000 upgrade, becoming the sixth hall strengthened as an emergency shelter. Maritime Patrols: Cook Islands Police and Royal New Zealand Navy personnel inspected 82 vessels during a regional operation targeting illegal fishing.

Water Security: A strengthening El Niño is putting the Southern Cook Islands at greater risk of water shortages, while the Northern Cooks are seeing more rain. Experts say local water-treatment skills and safely managed rainwater harvesting can help communities cope. Rugby League: The 2030 World Cup will be hosted across the Pacific and the United States, with more teams in both tournaments. A Cook Islands submission also helped secure a rule allowing players to represent a country through a great-grandparent, widening the pool for smaller nations. Maritime Patrols: Cook Islands police, backed by New Zealand Navy personnel, inspected 82 vessels during a regional operation targeting illegal fishing. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to explain the risks of a proposed US$1 billion company merger involving Cook Islands exploration licences before approving any arrangements.

Rugby League: A Cook Islands submission has helped secure a major eligibility change: players can now represent a nation if a great-grandparent was born there, widening the player pool for smaller teams. New Zealand Election: Preliminary results put Cook Islands Māori politician Alfred Ngaro back in Parliament with NZ First, as Pacific representation is set to rise from six MPs to eight; special votes could still change the narrow government majority. Maritime Patrols: Cook Islands police, backed by four New Zealand Navy personnel, inspected 82 vessels during a regional operation targeting illegal fishing across the western Pacific. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to explain the risks of a proposed US$1 billion company merger involving Cook Islands exploration interests, warning against rushed approvals.

Maritime Security: Cook Islands police inspected 82 vessels during a vast Pacific fisheries patrol, with four Royal New Zealand Navy personnel supporting the operation against illegal fishing. Rugby League: A new international rule will let players qualify for the Cook Islands through a great-grandparent, widening the pool for coach Karmichael Hunt and other Pacific teams. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the government to explain the risks of a proposed US$1 billion company merger tied to Cook Islands exploration licences, warning against rushed approvals. Local Economy: A Rarotonga conference drawing about 650 delegates is bringing business to accommodation, restaurants and other local operators; a new $2 million mall is also planned to open next year. Disaster Readiness: Cook Islands meteorologists are strengthening tsunami warnings, while local efforts aim to make weather alerts more accessible as El Niño risks intensify.

Rugby League: A new international eligibility rule will let players qualify through great-grandparents, widening the pool for the Cook Islands and other Pacific teams. Cook Islands coach Karmichael Hunt had pushed for the change as the nation’s population shrinks. Tsunami Readiness: Cook Islands meteorological staff are bringing home lessons from an international training programme to strengthen warnings, agency coordination and community preparedness. Government: Aitutaki is emerging as the front-runner for the Cook Islands Party’s seventh ministerial post, as opposition MPs seek to block the incumbent from a fifth consecutive term. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society is urging the Government and Seabed Minerals Authority to fully explain the risks of a proposed US$1 billion company merger involving exploration licences, warning against rushed approvals. Rarotonga Development: Work has begun on a $2 million mall, billed as the country’s largest, with its 1,700-square-metre timber structure due to open mid-next year. Business and Tourism: A Rarotonga conference attracting about 650 delegates is bringing a lift to accommodation, food, transport and other local businesses.

Government: Aitutaki MP Teokotai Herman is emerging as the Cook Islands Party’s leading candidate for its seventh ministerial post, as opposition MPs try to prevent the government securing a fifth consecutive term. Seabed Mining: Te Ipukarea Society wants the government to fully explain the risks of a proposed US$1 billion company merger tied to Cook Islands exploration licences, warning against rushed approvals driven by corporate financial deadlines. Local Economy: Work has begun on the $2 million Raro Mall, billed as the country’s largest shopping centre; it is expected to open next year. A Rarotonga conference is also bringing about 650 delegates and business to the islands. Fisheries: New Zealand Navy sailors joined Cook Islands patrol boat Te Kukupa II for a regional operation targeting illegal fishing. Safety: Police have raised concern over a spate of motorcycle bag-snatchings targeting female tourists in Rarotonga. Climate: Cook Islands officials are preparing for a potentially intense cyclone season, while local groups are working to make weather warnings accessible to everyone.

Maritime Security: Four Royal New Zealand Navy sailors joined Cook Islands patrol boat Te Kukupa II for a regional operation targeting illegal fishing. The 17-nation effort recorded 149 vessel sightings, 82 inspections and more than 27,000 satellite detections. Visitor Safety: A third motorcycle bag-snatching incident targeting tourists has raised alarm in Rarotonga, with police warning the attacks threaten public safety and the country’s reputation. Climate Readiness: A workshop is helping people with disabilities understand weather warnings and El Niño risks, as Cook Islands agencies work to make alerts accessible to all. Regional Diplomacy: After its dispute with Wellington, the Cook Islands has reaffirmed its strategic independence, keeping ties with China while pursuing a minerals framework with the United States and rejecting nuclear weapons. Repatriation: Sri Lanka’s government and a Wellington trust are working to bring home a woman stranded in the Cook Islands after transit visa refusals. Visitor Services: Tourists can now apply online for a Cook Islands visitor driver licence before travelling.

Cook Islands–NZ Relations: Prime Minister Mark Brown is due in New Zealand next week for his first major visit since the diplomatic row over Cook Islands’ agreements with China. A new analysis says the dispute has eased, but Avarua is maintaining ties with Beijing, pursuing a minerals framework with Washington and rejecting nuclear weapons. Climate Readiness: Climate forecasters and media representatives from four Pacific nations are meeting in Rarotonga to improve how warnings and climate information reach communities. Visitor Services: A new online driver-licence system lets visitors apply and complete theory tests before arriving; applications should be submitted at least 48 hours ahead. Stranded Traveller: Sri Lanka’s government and a Wellington trust are working to bring home a woman stuck in the Cook Islands after transit visa refusals blocked her route through New Zealand and Australia. Local Sport: The 37th Raro 7s has brought 27 teams to Rarotonga, including local clubs and youth sides from Australia. Youth Games: Cook Islands athletes are competing at the Dakar Youth Olympics, with the beach handball team arriving ahead of its opening matches.

Diplomacy: The Cook Islands and New Zealand have formally ended an 18-month dispute, but the reset does not mean Avarua is choosing sides in the region’s great-power rivalry. Prime Minister Mark Brown is due in New Zealand next week for his first major visit since the row. Climate Readiness: Pacific climate officials and media representatives are meeting in Rarotonga to improve how warnings reach communities, as residents are also urged to prepare for a cyclone season shaped by El Niño. Fisheries: Cook Islands officers and New Zealand navy personnel joined a regional operation targeting illegal fishing, while the country pressed its priorities at Pacific fisheries talks. Visitor Services: Police have launched an online driver-licence system, letting visitors apply before arrival. Repatriation: Sri Lanka’s government and a Wellington trust are working to bring home a Sri Lankan woman stranded in the Cook Islands after transit visa refusals. Community: Raro 7s has opened with 27 teams competing across men’s, women’s and youth divisions.

Raro 7s: The three-day tournament has kicked off in Rarotonga, bringing 27 teams together across men’s, women’s and youth divisions. Local clubs face visiting sides, while the Newcastle All Blacks and TOA Pathfinders are using the trip to connect young players with Cook Islands heritage. Visitor Services: Visitors can now apply online for a Cook Islands driver licence before travelling, including completing the theory test and booking a practical test. Fisheries: Cook Islands officials are coordinating regional positions ahead of Pacific fisheries talks, while New Zealand Navy personnel recently joined patrols to help detect illegal fishing. Repatriation: Sri Lanka and a Wellington trust are working to help a Sri Lankan woman stranded in the Cook Islands return home after repeated transit visa refusals. Weather Readiness: Authorities are urging residents to prepare for cyclone risks as El Niño strengthens, while tourism operators are asking visitors to conserve water during the dry spell. Women’s Safety: A Cook Islands advocacy group has called for stronger protections, better-funded services and improved legal aid for survivors of gender-based violence.

Fisheries Enforcement: Four Royal New Zealand Navy sailors joined Cook Islands patrol vessel Te Kukupa II during a regional operation targeting illegal fishing across 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean. Women’s Safety: Punanga Turuturu Vaine is calling for stronger laws, better-funded support services and improved legal aid for survivors of gender-based violence. Cyclone Readiness: With El Niño raising the risk of up to three cyclones, residents are urged to secure roofs and check water supplies; tourism operators are also asking visitors to conserve water during the dry spell. Youth Sport: Cook Islands’ beach handball team has arrived in Senegal for the Youth Olympic Games, while swimmers Alicia Story and Carter Makira have begun their events. Voting: New Zealand voters in the Cook Islands can cast ballots at the Avarua High Commission or submit voting papers online until Friday evening.

Climate Readiness: Rarotonga is hosting Pacific climate-communications training as El Niño intensifies, while a US-funded $2.3 million early-warning upgrade will include the Cook Islands. Tourism officials are also urging visitors to conserve water amid an extended dry spell. Youth Sport: The Cook Islands’ under-15 footballers secured their first win at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup, beating St Lucia 2-1 after five losses. Swimmer Alicia Story and teammate Carter Makira are also representing the nation at the Dakar Youth Olympics. Voting Deadline: New Zealand voters in the Cook Islands have until Friday, November 6, to cast ballots in the general election; in-person voting is available at the High Commission in Avarua. Stranded Traveller: A Sri Lankan woman remains stuck in the Cook Islands after three years unable to secure a transit visa to fly home, with her family fearing for her.

Climate Preparedness: A five-day training in Rarotonga is helping meteorological services and media get climate information to communities as El Niño intensifies. The Cook Islands is also included in a $2.3 million regional upgrade to mobile early-warning systems, while tourism operators urge visitors to conserve water during the extended dry spell. Youth Olympians: Flagbearers Alicia Story and Carter Makira have begun the Cook Islands’ Dakar Youth Olympic campaign. Story placed 12th in the 100m butterfly and is set to race again. Stranded in the Islands: A Sri Lankan woman remains unable to fly home because of transit visa restrictions, with her family fearing for her welfare. Women’s Rights: A UN committee has urged the Cook Islands to develop a national action plan for women, strengthen dispute resolution and address online violence. Election Deadline: New Zealand voters in the Cook Islands can cast their ballots at the High Commission in Avarua or upload completed voting papers online until Friday, November 6.

Stranded in the Cook Islands: A Sri Lankan woman has been unable to leave for three years because Australia and New Zealand have refused transit visas. Her family says her mental health is suffering, and she hopes to return home for her son’s wedding. Rugby League: The Aitu are out of the World Cup after a 66–6 loss to Australia. Coach Karmichael Hunt wants eligibility rules widened to include players with Cook Islands great-grandparents, arguing the small population limits the talent pool. Infrastructure and Safety: Cook Islands airports are set for upgrades under a record Pacific climate fund, while police warn that hard drugs are slipping through border gaps and call for stronger regional cooperation. Customary Title: The High Court has reserved its decision in the 32-year dispute over succession to the Makea Nui Ariki title. Seabed Mining: Pacific experts warn commercial mining could threaten marine environments and island sovereignty as the industry pushes ahead before international rules are settled.