Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Cook Islands Prime Minister slams NZ aid freeze as ‘patronising’
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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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...
Cook Islands at 60: Do we really need New Zealand aid?
Cook Island News
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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...
Thomas Wynne: Cook Islands’ fourth pillar
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
Thomas Wynne. We have grown up with a national consciousness that tells us our nation stands on three distinct pillars: our Ekalesia (church), our Ui Ariki (traditional leaders), and our Kavamani (government). But has there been another pillar...
Stars align for unity: Matariki unites NZ and Cook Islands amidst tensions
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
A little performance at the Matariki celebration based on the importance of Matariki. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25061816 Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga hosted the annual Matariki celebration, emphasising...
Cook Islands seeks to destabilise NZ on eve of China visit
The Daily Blog
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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...
Cook Islands PM decries New Zealand’s ‘patronising’ aid pause
The Straits Times
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June 20, 2025
Cook Islands PM Mark Brown defended his nation’s ties with China, saying they did not “compromise” its independence.PHOTO: AFP WELLINGTON – Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on June 20 condemned “patronising” neighbour New Zealand, which...
Cook Islands – trouble in Paradise as Wellington pulls the plug
Waatea News
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June 20, 2025
Role Funding: In December 2024, Prime Minister Mark Brown proposed issuing a unique Cook Islands passport—a move Wellington warned could signal constitutional independence. Although the passport plan was later shelved, it heightened sensitivity...
Cook Islands PM says China deals do not ‘compromise’ sovereignty
The Sun Daily
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June 20, 2025
WELLINGTON: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday defended a string of contentious deals with China, saying they did not “compromise” the Pacific island nation’s sovereignty. The agreements prompted major donor New Zealand to halt aid...
The politics, and politicians, of nostalgia
interest.co.nz
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By Chris Trotter* What do politicians do when the present is a mess and the future promises more of the same? Mostly, in these all-too-familiar circumstances, politicians turn for help and solace to the past. They go looking for policies that...
PM confirms 25 businesses in arrears on Covid-19 loans
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament in June. 25061850. 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...
Cook Islands nation scrambles to recover millions from New Zealand
World - North Carolina
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June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands’ foreign ministry on Wednesday said it was working to regain millions in funding New Zealand cut off earlier this month. The agency said New Zealand halted the funding due to concerns over a deal the Cook Islands signed with China...
Cook Islands saga another test for Govt’s China policy as Luxon hits Beijing
Newsroom
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June 19, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the “areas of risk” in the strategic deal between the Cook Islands and China include security, defence, sovereignty and international border arrangements. These risk factors are now being worked through by...
New Zealand pauses Cook Islands funding over deepening China ties
The Mainichi
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June 20, 2025
This combined photo shows New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, left, and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. (Kyodo) SYDNEY (Kyodo) -- New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands, the government said...
Luxon meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid Cook Island controversy
RNZ
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June 20, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands in front of photographers. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has held talks with one of the world's most powerful people - Chinese...
Xi to Luxon: No China-New Zealand conflict, even as Cook Islands pivot raises eyebrows
Malay Mail
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June 20, 2025
BEIJING, June 20 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said today that Beijing had “no fundamental conflicts of interest” with New Zealand, as he welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on an official visit. Luxon’s trip comes at a time of tension with...
New Zealand Freezes Cook Islands Aid Over Concerns About CCP Links
The Epoch Times
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June 20, 2025
While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Beijing encouraging CCP officials to increase trade and tourism with New Zealand, his Foreign Minister Winston Peters appears to have taken Cabinet by surprise by announcing a freezing of aid to the...
Cook Islands’ leading business fuels Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade
Cook Island News
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June 17, 2025
CITC proudly supports the Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade. From left, fire brigade volunteer Gavin Steiner, fire chief Jason Moorfield, and CITC brands manager George George. CITC/25061601 Cook Islands Trading Corporation (CITC) has proudly...
'Puts New Zealand in a weaker position' - expert on Peters' Cook Islands move
RNZ
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June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...
Bridging Divides: A call for new dialogue amid NZ's suspension of aid to the Cook Islands
Pacific Media Network
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As a Cook Islander and political analyst, I am deeply concerned by the New Zealand Government’s recent decision to pause core budgetary aid to the Cook Islands. The action was taken in response to the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic...
PM Brown: Cook Islands not consulted on NZ-China deals amid funding pause
Cook Island News
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon witnessed the signing of $871 million of commercial agreements between NZ businesses and their Chinese partners. Picture: CHRISTOPHER LUXON Cook Islands was “not privy to or consulted on” any agreements New Zealand...