Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
From tuna to treaty: Pacific powers push ocean agenda
Pacific Media Network
·
Pacific leaders continue to push for more investment, stronger political will, and recognition of traditional knowledge to protect the region’s ocean future. The United Nations’ Ocean Conference (UNOC), held every three years, reviews...
Cook Islands Parliament passes 2025/26 Budget
Cook Island News
·
June 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament on June 23, 2025. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU / 25062320 The Cook Islands Parliament on Tuesday passed the 2025/26 Budget after just over a week of debate, with Parliament sitting only half-days during this period....
New Zealand citizenship ‘by right, not privilege’, says Cook Islands PM Brown
Island Times
·
June 27, 2025
RAROTONGA (COOK ISLANDS NEWS)—Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens “not by privilege, but by right”, said Prime Minister Mark Brown in response to a recent poll conducted in New Zealand on citizenship rights. The nationwide poll, commissioned...
Cook Islands qualifies for 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Beach Handball
Cook Island News
·
June 24, 2025
Cook Islands men’s beach handball team has officially qualified for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, following a determined showing at the 3rd IHF Men’s Youth Beach Handball World Championship in Hammamet, Tunisia. SUPPLIED/25062303 History was made...
5 September 2024 and COI Report on Barbara Malimali. Former Deputy Acting Ficac Commissioner Francis Puleiwai wants Chief Justice Salesi Temo suspended before establishment of Tribunal for 'MISBEHAVIOUR'
Fiji Leaks
·
July 4, 2025
Can Chief Justice Salesi Temo Be Suspended for Misbehaviour for Allegedly Interfering With FICAC’s Prosecution of Barbara Malimali? Yes. If the allegation is proven — that the Chief Justice interfered with a pending or intended prosecution by...
Deep sea mining decision already made, Cook Islands opposition leader says
RNZ
·
June 26, 2025
Cook Islands nodule field - photo taken within Cook Islands EEZ. Photo: Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority The Cook Islands' opposition leader believes the government has already decided it wants to pursue deep sea mining despite the science...
Stat of the week: In 2024, the Cook Islands recorded a negative trade balance of -161,697 USD
Pacific Community (SPC)
·
In 2024, the Cook Islands recorded a negative trade balance of -161,697 USD. This means the value of imports exceeded exports, highlighting ongoing economic pressures and reliance on external goods. As small island economies like the Cook Islands...
Cook Islands PM confirms 25 businesses in arrears on Covid-19 loans
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 23, 2025
Twenty-five businesses are behind repayments of a business loan that was issued by the Cook Islands government to support them during the 2020 Covid pandemic. Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed this in response to questions raised by Matavera MP...
Heath and Smith named Cook Islands flag bearers
Cook Island News
·
June 25, 2025
Team Cook Islands co-flag bearer Alanna Smith, right, and Twinna Tangirere are teaming up in the national beach volleyball team for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. 25062416 Cook Islands beach volleyball players Brendon Heath and Alanna Smith...
400 Cook Islanders permitted to bring in medicinal cannabis
Cook Island News
·
June 25, 2025
Health Minister Rose Toki-Brown in Parliament yesterday. 25062410 About 400 Cook Islanders are now permitted to bring medicinal cannabis into the country, according to the Minister of Health, Rose Toki-Brown. About 400 Cook Islanders are now...
Cook Islands Prime Minister slams NZ aid freeze as ‘patronising’
Talanoa 'O Tonga
·
June 22, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand’s decision to pause development aid is patronising and will harm the country’s most vulnerable citizens. In a ministerial statement to Parliament on Thursday (Cook Islands time), Brown...
NZ Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll reveals nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands
RNZ
·
June 24, 2025
Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied / PMN A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union-Curia shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New...
Nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands, says poll
Asia Pacific Report
·
June 25, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New Zealand citizenship. Thirty percent of the 1000-person sample supported...
NZ Taxpayers' Union poll reveals nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands
RNZ
·
June 24, 2025
Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied / PMN A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New Zealand...
Cook Islands at 60: Do we really need New Zealand aid?
Cook Island News
·
June 21, 2025
Happier times … Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters in February last year. This week, New Zealand through Peters paused $18.2 million of core sector support funding for the Cook Islands, after its...
New Zealand withdraws millions in aid from Cook Islands
World Socialist Web Site
·
June 24, 2025
New Zealand has abruptly halted nearly $NZ20 million ($US11 million) in funding to the Cook Islands in retaliation for a partnership agreement the tiny Pacific Island nation concluded with China in February without consulting Wellington. NZ...
PAC flags concerns with Cook Islands Investment Corporation
Cook Island News
·
June 23, 2025
Public Accounts Committee chair Teokotai Herman in Parliament last week. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25061623 The Public Accounts Committee in review of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) annual and financial period for 2022-2023 has...
Cook Islands seeks to destabilise NZ on eve of China visit
The Daily Blog
·
June 20, 2025
NZ pauses nearly $20m in funding to Cook Islands after China agreements New Zealand has paused nearly $20 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China. New Zealand raised concerns in February, after...
Spoils Shared In OFC Women’s Nations Cup Group A Opener
Scoop
·
The OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 kicked off with the spoils shared by Tahiti and Cook Islands at Churchill Park in Lautoka today. Both 2022 quarter finalists were looking to start their campaigns strong, knowing that securing early points would be...
Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB political editor on the poll revealing less than a third of respondents support NZ giving Cook Islands services
Newstalk ZB
·
June 23, 2025
Less than a third of respondents to a poll believe the Cook Islands should still get New Zealand services. Last week, the Government paused aid after the Cooks signed a partnership with China, without sharing any details with New Zealand. The...