‘Greenwashing’: Cook Islands Environment group slams ‘mineral harvesting’ in Seabed Mining Act
The introduction of the term ‘mineral harvesting’ in the legislation governing seabed minerals in the Cook Islands is an attempt to ‘greenwash this destructive industry’, says a local environment group. Te
Cook Islands Parliament makes changes to seabed mining law
The Cook Islands has made amendments to its Seabed Minerals Act this week, including replacing the term “mining” with “minerals harvesting … to reflect the actual activity that takes
Cook Islands Parliament approves amendments to Seabed Minerals Act
A Bill seeking to improve the overall seabed minerals regime was passed in Parliament Monday. Prime Minister Mark Brown presented the Seabed Minerals Amendment Bill 2024 for its second and third readings. The
Albert Nicholas appointed Cook Islands Deputy PM
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed the appointment of Albert Nicholas as the country’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM). The Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston MP holds the Infrastructure Cook Islands,
Cook Islands Foreign Minister urges global recognition of regional priorities
Cook Islands Foreign Affairs Minister, Tingika Elikana, Monday highlighted the need to drive discussions on regional priorities and forge inter-regional cooperation essential for global acknowledgment of these
Winston Peters and Shane Reti make Cook Islands climate change announcement
Tackling the impacts of climate change is a key focus for New Zealand, with a total of $16.5 million (US$10 million) to go to the Cook Islands to help fight the crisis. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs
Cook Islands Deputy PM and two former Govt officials found guilty in corruption case
Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former National Environment Service (NES) director Nga Puna, and his wife and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Diane Charlie-Puna have been found
US scores overdue increase in bigeye tuna catch limit, while American Samoa struggles to sustain its local tuna economy
The 20th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) was held December 4-8, 2023, in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The primary focus at this meeting was revising the conservation and
Opinion: Health service coverage: Asia and the Pacific swap places
According to the World Health Organization, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires that all people receive the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services they need and can afford.
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Cook Islands has concluded public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource
Te Ipukarea Society: Deep seabed mining and the emerging risk to our tuna fisheries
Last week saw the Cook Islands host one of the most significant meetings with respect to the shared tuna stocks in the region. That was the annual session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission,
Cook Islands Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill
Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner. This comes
New tuna harvest strategy
A new Tropical Tuna Measure was adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission 20th meeting which concluded early Saturday morning in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The measure will guide fishing controls for
Japan’s large Pacific bluefin tuna catch limit to be raised in 2024
An international commission responsible for managing Pacific bluefin tuna stocks has decided to allow Japan to effectively increase its catch limit for larger sizes in 2024, reflecting a recovery in their population,
Urgent calls for proactive measures at WCPFC to safeguard future of Pacific fisheries
The 20th session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission currently meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands must put in measures that would ensure the sustainability of our fisheries, says WWF Western and
Climate change, overfishing: Pacific tuna faces ‘unprecedented challenges’
The annual regional fisheries meeting to discuss and address crucial matters concerning tuna fisheries and the marine ecosystems they inhabit began Wednesday with a traditional welcome and official opening ceremony at
Sovereign rights not enough, regional cooperation needed for deep-sea mining: TIS
There needs to be a regional approach to deep-sea mining, as opposed to relying solely on the sovereign rights of individual nations, given the transboundary risks such activities can pose to the Pacific Ocean, says a
Cook Islands PM happy with Pacific Islands Forum meeting success
Forum Chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is happy with the outcome of the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting. “I am very happy with our outcomes as leaders. Of course, there are a number of
Forum outcomes cover environment, security and gender
Meeting in Cook Islands, Pacific Islands Forum leaders confirmed former President of Nauru Baron Waqa as the next Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat, taking over from Henry Puna in 2024. A major focus of the
Forum leaders appointed Baron Waqa as next Forum Secretary General, endorse the 2050 Strategy
Pacific Islands Forum leaders have reaffirmed the decision taken under the Suva Agreement with the appointment of former president of Nauru Baron Waqa as the next Secretary General. This was announced by Forum Chairman
Fiji PM disappointed with Nauru President for not turning up at the Leaders retreat in Aitutaki
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed disappointment at Nauru’s President David Adeang failure to attend the Leaders retreat in Aitutaki today. Adeang walked out of the Forum Leaders Plenary Wednesday
Niue’s Premier says complete phase out of fossil fuels ‘very hard’
Niue has nearly exhausted its climate mitigation options and its focus now is on adaptation, the island’s Premier Dalton Tagelagi says. Tagelagi told RNZ Pacific that Niue’s contribution to global warming is
The perfect challenge for Teuruaa
As part of Islands Business’ build-up to this month’s Pacific Games in Honiara, correspondent Alipate Pareti looks at 21-year-old Cook Islander decathlete, Max Teuruaa. Teuruaa, who is training in New Zealand in