Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
US eyes deeper ties with Cook Islands, help businesses form ties
Cook Island News
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August 9, 2025
The US delegation during their meeting with Cook Islands Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tepaeru Herrmann. US EMBASSY NZ/25080817 The United States is looking to build stronger ties with the Cook Islands following a historic...
FBI expands reach to Cook Islands
RNZ
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August 12, 2025
By Talaia Mika, Cook Islands FBI Director Kash Patel at the opening ceremony for a dedicated law enforcement attaché office in Wellington. Photo: Supplied/OLA THORSEN The United States is increasing its presence in the Pacific, including the Cook...
Chinese envoy stresses partnership agreement with Cook Islands 'has nothing to do with military or security agenda': media
Global Times
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China-Cook Islands relationship Photo: VCG The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 signed between China and the Cook Islands has "nothing to do with any military or security agenda," and that "everyone could see for themselves…...
New Zealand government snubs Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary celebration
World Socialist Web Site
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August 12, 2025
In a clear and deliberate diplomatic snub, the New Zealand government boycotted celebrations in the Cook Islands on August 4 marking 60 years of “self-government in free association with New Zealand.” Constitution Day, or Te Maeva Nui, is held...
Cook Islands confronts critical questions on identity as debate on deep-sea mining grows
Cook Island News
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August 9, 2025
Hundreds of people peacefully rallied at sea to protect the ocean from seabed activities in August 2024. TE IPUKAREA SOCIETY/24091830/24091831/24091832 As the Cook Islands approaches the end of its five-year seabed minerals exploration phase and...
Cook Islands proposes new regional strategy to Pacific leaders
Cook Island News
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August 7, 2025
Cook Islands delegation led by Minister for Internal Affairs Rose Toki-Brown (third from left) and INTAFF secretary Anne Herman (second from left). INTAFF/25080610 Minister for Internal Affairs (INTAFF) Rose Toki-Brown introduced the RARANGA 2050...
Cook Islands seeks balance as record tourism numbers put strain on local environment
RNZ
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August 7, 2025
Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga Photo: Caleb Fotheringham As the Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of self-governance, the nation is looking at how the backbone of its economy can move beyond just economic benefits. Rarotonga is as popular as it has ever...
BSP DEPOSIT ATMS COME ONLINE TODAY
PNG Haus Bung
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August 20, 2025
No more standing in long queues for long hours at the bank to make deposits, BSP customers can now make deposits with ease by just using an ATM. The first Deposit ATMs went live today, Wednesday 20th August 2025, at BSP’s Waigani Banking Centre in...
Cook Islands PM charts bold future, reaffirms global leadership
Pacific News Service
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The Cook Islands is celebrating 60 years of self-government with Prime Minister Mark Brown declaring the country’s intent to step up as a global player, driven by unity and a bold vision for the future. Delivering his Constitution Day address,...
Kumul Petroleum renews sponsorship of PNG Kumuls
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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August 20, 2025
Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) has announced a three-year renewal of its sponsorship for the Papua New Guinea national men’s rugby league team, the PNG LNG Kumuls. The K3.3 million platinum sponsorship will support the Kumuls’...
Mission Critical: US strikes Cook Islands mining deal
Azzet
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August 7, 2025
The United States and Cook Islands have announced a partnership to advance scientific research and ‘responsible development’ of the billions of dollars of seabed minerals wealth within the Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone, following China's...
Debate unfolds over NZ-Cook Islands tensions and Pacific unemployment
Pacific Media Network
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Two Cook Islands commentators agree that there is a need for improved communication between New Zealand and the Cook Islands amid tensions between the two nations and the growing disappointment among Cook Islanders with their government. Prime...
U.S begins talks with Cook Islands on seabed mining, gears up to compete with China
Island Times
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August 8, 2025
WASHINGTON/RAROTONGA (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —-The U.S has begun discussions with the Cook Islands on the exploration of seabed minerals within its waters, in a bid to catch up with China, which has previously clinched a similar deal with the...
U.S. Counters China with Deep-Sea Mining Cook Islands Pact
Skillings Mining Review - Florida
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August 7, 2025
Key Takeaways U.S. pushes deep-sea mining Cook Islands partnership amid China’s Pacific expansion. Cook Islands–China pact in February sparked geopolitical tension with New Zealand. Trump’s order bypassed UNCLOS to expedite U.S. seabed mining...
US starts seabed mineral talks with Cook Islands
Samoa News
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August 7, 2025
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The US has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed minerals exploration and development, the State Department said on Tuesday. The Cook Islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and are made up...
Over 1000 Cook Islands commemorative coins released, 104 sold in two days
Cook Island News
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August 7, 2025
Base metal commemorative coin. MFEM/25073052 The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has released a special range of 60th Anniversary commemorative coins varying in four kinds, with strong interest already shown by the public — 104...
Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of partnership with New Zealand amid geopolitical tensions
Pacific Media Network
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Crowds gathered in Auckland as the Cook Islands community celebrated its language week and 60 years of free association with New Zealand. The 60th Anniversary and Opening of Cook Islands Language Week 2025 kicked off on Monday in Glen Innes at the...
Greenpeace USA Condemns U.S.–Cook Islands Deep-Sea Mining Talks as Backdoor Push for Extraction
Greenpeace International
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August 7, 2025
Greenpeace International activists peacefully confronted UK Royal Research Ship James Cook in the East Pacific waters as it returned from a seven-week long expedition to a section of the Pacific Ocean targeted for deep sea mining. An activist...
Cook Islands at a crossroads: Calls for honesty and renewed Pacific…
Pacific News Service
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As the Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of self-governance, a diplomatic rift with New Zealand over deepening ties with China highlights a central tension between legacy and ambition. Tuesday, New Zealand time, marks 60 years since the...
US says it has started seabed mining talks with the Cook Islands
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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August 7, 2025
As the Cook Islands mark 60 years of self-governance, the United States has begun talks with the island nation about researching seabed mineral exploration and development. According to a joint statement, the two governments have begun discussions...