Environmentalists slam ‘premature’ seabed minerals harvesting regulations
Cook Islands has enacted seabed minerals harvesting regulations despite concerns about the lack of 'meaningful
Cook Islands
Tepaeru Herrmann reappointed Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Tepaeru Herrmann has been reappointed as the Cook Islands Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Poll: Cook Islanders oppose deep sea mining
A recent online opinion poll conducted in the Cook Islands revealed that 66 per cent of residents oppose deep sea mining, while 49 percent disapprove of exploration. The government regulator overseeing seabed minerals
Peaceful protest calls for moratorium on deep-sea mining in Cook Islands
Hundreds of Cook Islanders and tourists Wednesday joined a peaceful protest against seabed mining, calling for a moratorium on deep-sea activities. The rally held at the Avarua Harbour was organised by Cook Islands
Cook Islands Opposition welcomes regulations, warns against premature mining
The Cook Islands Opposition leader has welcomed the regulatory framework for deep-sea mining but maintains the stance against any mining activities until ‘environmentally friendly technology’ is available and Cook
Pacific ministers gather to discuss water and wastewater challenges
Twenty Pacific islands ministers have gathered in Rarotonga this week to discuss solutions and ideas to combat water and wastewater threats. Held at the National Auditorium, the 8th Pacific Water and Wastewater
Cook Islands PM urges Pacific unity on deep-sea mining as leaders gear up for crucial talks
Cook Islands Prime Minister and former chair of the Forum, Mark Brown is urging Pacific Island leaders to come together on a collective stance on deep-sea mining, ahead of a key talanoa session set for next month. The
Court of Arbitration of Sport dismisses appeal brought by Lee Harmon, former President of the Cook Islands Football Association , against OFC Appeal Committee decision.
The Court of Arbitration of Sport has dismissed an appeal brought by Lee Harmon against a decision issued by the OFC Appeal Committee on 21 May 2024. The OFC Appeal Committee found Harmon had breached the OFC Code of
Outgoing Forum Chair Mark Brown reflects on challenging times
“We’ve been mindful that our region is of great interest from a geopolitical perspective over the last few years or so,” says Prime Minister of Cook Islands Mark Brown. “But the security issues that are seen by
Water: A Connector, Not a Sector
Pacific water expert, Pitolau Lusia Sefo-Leau says the Pacific region is “far from achieving” the goal of having universal access to water and sanitation by 2030 or SDG6. “I feel that there is something very wrong
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorse high-level mission to New Caledonia
Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders have endorsed a high-level mission to New Caledonia. This is in response to the request from New Caledonia to support a long-lasting resolution to the ongoing political
Pacific Islands welcome development partnerships amid rising regional tensions
Cook Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chair Mark Brown has emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts with various development partners in supporting Pacific Island countries. Speaking last week in Tokyo, PM
Cook Islands Health Ministry approves nearly 90 percent of tobacco vendor applications
Cook Islands Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health has approved 37 out of the 43 applications received for selling tobacco in the Cook Islands. The successful applicant can start selling tobacco from 01 August 2024, under
Medicinal cannabis now permitted in Cook Islands with prescription
Islanders and visitors can now bring in medicinal cannabis into the Cook Islands from New Zealand and Australia provided they meet certain requirements, says Te Marae Ora (TMO), Ministry for Health. Minister for Health
ANZ says in talks with Australian govt about shoring up Pacific Islands business
ANZ bank is in talks with the Australian government about ways to make its business in the Pacific Islands more viable as an exodus of Western financial services fuels concern about rising Chinese influence, its CEO
‘Talanoa’ key to Forum’s seabed mining approach
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, the Pacific Islands Forum outgoing chair, told the media in May that one of the outcomes of the Leaders meeting in Rarotonga last year on the issue was a “talanoa” (a Pacific
Cook Islands new minimum wage comes into effect, employers told to adhere
Employers in the Cook Islands are required to adhere to the new minimum wage rate that comes into effect today. The new minimum wage increases by 50 cents $9.00 to $9.50 per hour (US$5.47 – $5.77) from today,
Hokule’a’s babies: Cook Islands master navigator credits pioneers
In 2024 in Honolulu, the most venerated participants of the 13th Festpac are the voyagers who have arrived by reading the stars, the waves and winds, to close the circle begun by Hawaii’s Hokule’a canoe in the mid
FestPAC gathering strengthens Pacific identity
As the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) enters its second week, Cook Islands Consul General in Aotearoa New Zealand, Keu Mataroa, expresses his deep appreciation for the rich cultural artistry and
NZ commits $20m to Cook Islands budget, $10.5m for public service
Cook Islands has secured $20 million (US$12.30 million) in Core Sector Budget Support and an additional $10.5 million (US$6.45 million) for continued public sector strengthening during the 8th Cook Islands-New Zealand
Cook Islands Bill to safeguard Manatua Cable passed with fines up to $250,000
A monetary fine will be imposed on anyone who breaches the Manatua Cable Protection Bill 2024 in Cook Islands. The bill, passed by Cook Islands Parliament last Thursday, safeguards the Manatua One Polynesian Cable from
Proposed law on tainted cryptocurrency ‘terrible’ for human rights, says Cook Islands expert
A Cook Islands cryptocurrency expert is critical of a proposed law targeting tainted cryptocurrency, arguing it undermines human rights and doesn’t address the real channels of money laundering. In the rapidly
U.S. sanctions Cook Islands-flagged ships aiding Iranian drone shipment to Russia
Three Cook Islands-flagged vessels have been sanctioned by the United States for their involvement in the shipment of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moeroa Mamanu-Matheson,