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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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New Zealand rejects Cook Islands passport plan

New Zealand has rejected a proposal by the Cook Islands to allow the creation of its own passports and citizenship, but said it could discuss independence. A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

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