Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Cook Islands and Tonga strengthen bilateral ties ahead of celebrations
Cook Island News
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August 2, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday welcomed the Prime Minister of Tonga and current Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Dr. Aisake Eke, to Rarotonga to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Cook Islands self-governance. OPM/25080195 Cook Islands Prime...
NZ Governor-General praises Cook Islands women for community leadership
Cook Island News
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August 5, 2025
New Zealand’s Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro, praised the Cook Islands National Council of Women for their tireless work in uplifting women and families across the nation, during her heartfelt address at the special gathering held in her...
‘Strong as steel and unbreakable’- Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of self-governance
Cook Island News
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August 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown, alongside others who celebrated their 60th birthday yesterday, cut the cake at the National Auditorium to mark the Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary of self-governance in free association with New Zealand. OPM/25080422 As...
US, Cook Islands Begin Talks On Seabed Mining
StratNews Global
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August 6, 2025
Home North America US, Cook Islands Begin Talks On Seabed Mining The Cook Islands was within the New Zealand borders from 1901. In 1965, it became self governing but in free association with New Zealand. The United States has started discussions...
'Not now, nor ever': Brown rejects talk of shift in Cook Islands-NZ ties
RNZ
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August 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown says the New Zealand, Cook Islands relationship is too strong that disagreeing governments can not break it. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham The Cook Islands has no intention of leaving its special relationship with New...
US says it has started seabed mineral talks with the Cook Islands
WHTC - Michigan
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By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. 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...
Brisbane’s South Pacific network expands to Cook Islands
Asian Aviation
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August 6, 2025
Brisbane Airport has secured its 35th direct international connection with Jetstar to commence flights to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands from May 2026. The new service will operate three times a week, offering Queenslanders a low-cost, non-stop...
Jetstar Australia to launch direct flights to Cook Islands from Brisbane
AeroTime News
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August 5, 2025
Jetstar Australia announced that it is set to launch direct flights between Brisbane Airport (BNE) and Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) starting May 2026. The three times weekly flights will be serviced by the airline’s fleet of Airbus...
Cook Islanders worry over China amid anniversary party
Pacific Media Network
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As the Cook Islands marks the 60th anniversary of its free association with New Zealand, local residents are openly expressing their concerns about the government’s growing ties with China and public statements made by Prime Minister Mark Brown....
‘Right to choose’ key to Cook Islands-NZ relationship, says Peters
Asia Pacific Report
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August 4, 2025
By Teuila Fuatai, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand’s foreign minister says Cook Islanders are free to choose whether their country continues in free association with New Zealand. Winston Peters made the comment at a celebration of the...
'Right to choose' key to Cook Islands-NZ relationship: Peters
Otago Daily Times
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August 4, 2025
By Teuila Fuatai of RNZ New Zealand's foreign minister says Cook Islanders are free to choose whether their country continues in free association with New Zealand. Winston Peters made the comment at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the...
The 'right to choose' key to the Cook Islands-NZ relationship - Peters
RNZ
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August 4, 2025
Foreign Minister Winston Peters with Minister for Pacific Peoples Shane Reti celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Cook Islands constitution in Tāmaki Makaurau. Photo: RNZ / Teuila Fuatai New Zealand's foreign minister says Cook Islanders are...
“We are close family,” Winston Peters celebrates 60 years of free association with Cook Islands
TP+
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August 4, 2025
Photo: Provided by NZ Minister Foreign Affairs Office. Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Minister for Pacific Peoples were in Auckland this afternoon at Te Oro Music and Arts Centre in Glen Innes, to mark 60 years since the Cook...
Face-to-face diplomacy is solution to New Zealand and Cook Islands stand-off
Pacific Media Network
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Former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Henry Puna, is urging New Zealand and the Cook Islands to engage in respectful, face-to-face dialogue, following recent tensions over China and the suspension of aid. As the Cook Islands prepares to mark...
Tonga aids Cook Islands reunion with MV Taka‑i‑Pomana
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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August 4, 2025
The Cook Islands PM acknowledged Tonga for its vessel support uniting island communities via the MV Taka‑i‑Pomana. In Rarotonga last week, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown met Tonga’s PM Dr Aisake Eke to strengthen regional cooperation ahead...
Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of self-governance amid growing rift with NZ
RNZ
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July 30, 2025
The biggest event in the Cook Islands calendar is currently underway, marking 60 years of free association with New Zealand. It comes at a tense point in the relationship, or as New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters would put it, a...
Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa name squad for Netball World Youth Cup
RNZ
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July 30, 2025
Fiji under-21 squad members competing in their trials in Suva. 8 July 2025 Photo: Netball Fiji Three of the Pasifika teams that will compete at the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar have announced strong squads for the event. Cook Islands,...
From the archives: Era of self-government begins in the Cook Islands
Cook Island News
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August 2, 2025
Marguerite Story was the first Speaker from 1965-1979. It is believed that Mrs. Story became the first woman Speaker in the democratic world. RADIO COOK ISLANDS/25080188 This article by W. H. Percival on Rarotonga, published in the September 1965...
The Cook Islands is already experiencing climate effects
Pacific News Service
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Opinion by Mark Brown, Cook Islands Prime Minister It was my privilege to lead a delegation from the Cook Islands to Cop27, which was hosted by Egypt, at Sharm El Sheikh. Expectations of the delegation prior to leaving were of cautious optimism...
Henry Puna calls New Zealand's involvement in Cook Islands politics 'improper'
RNZ
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August 1, 2025
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna says he thinks it is "improper" for New Zealand to involve itself in the "domestic affairs" of the island nation and issues...