Concern over Cooks mining talks
Cook Islander Helena Keenan-Williams is calling for greater transparency and genuine consultation over the government’s controversial seabed mining
Cook Islands
Cook Islands supports Australia’s proposal to host Pacific COP
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signalled the Cook Islands’ full support for Australia’s proposal to host a future Pacific COP (Conference of the Parties), a regional climate summit that would foreground
Cook Islands seabed minerals consultations under fire for excluding environment groups again
Environmental groups are again raising red flags as the second round of overseas public consultations on seabed mining gets underway in Queensland, Australia, citing the Cook Islands government’s refusal to allow
Palmerston Island in the Cook Islands facing critical power shortage
Palmerston Island in Cook Islands is currently facing a critical power shortage due to the failure of its ageing diesel
Deep-rooted cultural influence behind Cook Islands corruption – former audit director
Former Director of Audit, Paul Allsworth, claims that cultural ties and environmental factors are strong contributing forces to corruption in the Cook Islands government.
Cook Islands government defends Eagle S case, reaffirms commitment to maritime compliance
The Ministry of Transport (MoT) and Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) have defended and clarified that the vessel MT Eagle S, which has been at the centre of international scrutiny following an undersea cable incident in the
US tariff affects Cook Islands Super fund
The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) experienced negative returns in early 2025 due to US tariff announcements causing global market declines, particularly in US stocks, though some losses have since
Cook Islands prime minister wants to rework ties to NZ to be more independent
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he will only re-work constitutional ties with New Zealand if the new agreement makes it clear his country is now “more independent” — risking a fresh brawl with
New Zealand’s concerns over Cook Islands’ shadow fleet revealed in OIA request
New Zealand is concerned about Cook Islands’ shipping registry following a link to Russia’s shadow fleet and has offered experts to help improve its standard, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Wellington eyes strategic denial in the Cook Islands
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ row with the Cook Islands government in February was every bit as odd as his January quarrel with the President of Kiribati. It arose after the Cook Islands Prime Minister,
Researchers find active volcanic hotspot in Cook Islands seabed
Researchers have discovered a potentially younger and active volcanic hotspot beneath the Cook Islands’ waters, prompting excitement for geological understanding and raising calls for caution regarding seabed
Cook Islands: Mangaia residents turn to land and sea amidst shipping delays
The residents of a Southern Group Island continue to endure ongoing hardships due to inconsistent shipping, driving up costs and forcing reliance on subsistence living, while awaiting government-promised shipping
Cook Islands seeking New Zealand expertise for Sovereign Wealth Fund
The Cook Islands government has taken further steps towards establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), with officials currently in New Zealand holding discussions with financial experts, Prime Minister Mark Brown told
Cook Islands PM’s challenges go beyond China
It’s a cold weekend in one of the coldest cities in Northeast China. Just before heading back to Rarotonga from a controversial mission to China, Prime Minister Mark Brown stepped outside to film one of his regular
Cook Islands secures $4 million ‘one off’ grant form China for future grants
Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million (US$2.29 million) from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week.
Cook Islands signs partnership deal with China
The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China, a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. Reuters reports that Cook
Cook Islands dicusses deep-sea mining research with China
Cook Islands officials discussed seabed minerals research with China during last week’s mission to Beijing. Cook Islands has licensed three companies to explore the seabed for nodules rich in metals such as nickel
Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM Mark Brown, Cook Islands-China deal details to be revealed ‘in the coming days’ – Mark Brown
A vote of no confidence motion has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership
New Zealand chides Cook Islands for ‘lack of transparency’
New Zealand criticised its close Pacific partner the Cook Islands on Wednesday for showing a “lack of transparency”, following reports that it is about to sign a cooperation deal with China. AFP reports that
Information and Empathy
Cook Islands was the first Pacific nation to pass laws relating to right to information, but Ombudsman Niki Rattle says it may be time to review it and “have a look and see how we can do things better”. The Freedom
Cook Islands government accused of misleading public on seabed mining
Cook Islands government is misleading the public into believing the country is undecided on whether to allow deep seabed mining, claims an advocate for ocean conservation and protection. Louisa Castledine’s