Cook Islands PM Brown welcomes United States’ increasing engagements in the Pacific

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed the United States’ increasing involvement in the Pacific. Brown, who is also the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, made the comments in the U.S-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Port...

New Zealand enforcer Marata Niukore returns to play for the Cook Islands after missing out on Kiwi selection

One New Zealand Warriors powerhouse Marata Niukore is set to reignite his international career with the Cook Islands, returning to represent the island nation for the first time since 2019. The 29-year-old second rower has been named in the Cook...

Strategic Minerals and the False Promise of Seabed Mining

By Drake Long On April 29, a small seabed mining enterprise known as The Metals Company (TMC) formally submitted an application to NOAA to commence commercial-scale mining in an area of the ocean known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. This followed...

Fiji Take Third Place With Penalty Shootout Win Over Cook Islands

Press Release – Oceania Football Confederation Fiji and the Cook Islands played out a tense goalless draw in the bronze medal match at the OFC U-19 Womens Championship 2025, with Fiji holding firm to claim third place on penalties. The Young...

Political Divide Deepens Over Seabed Mining in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands should be allowed to “make their own choices” and “have a right to their own future development” in terms of seabed mining, according to former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Deep-sea mining was a subject at a panel...

Pacific Resort Hotel Group Wins Multiple Prestigious Titles at 2025 Cook Islands People's Choice and Air New Zealand Tourism Awards

Rarotonga, Cook Islands – [30 September 2025] – Pacific Resort Hotel Group (PRHG) is proud announce a series of significant wins at the 2025 Cook Islands People’s Choice and Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards, reaffirming its position as...

Stat of the week: the Cook Islands’ trade balance

In December 2024, the Cook Islands recorded a trade deficit of USD -14,954,000, meaning the value of imports far exceeded exports. The biggest import category was prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and tobacco, totalling USD...

New Zealand Is Pulling Aid From the Cook Islands

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom — The relationship between the Pacific Island nation of the Cook Islands and New Zealand has historically been strong. Cook Islanders are entitled to New Zealand passports and residency, with the model of “free...

Controversial Cook Islands seabed mining plan gets backing from former Australia PM Scott Morrison

Speaking on a panel discussion on the Pacific Islands at the Impact Week conference in Singapore last Friday, the conservative politician acknowledged that deep-sea mining was controversial but said Cook Islands should be allowed to “make their...

New Zealand Defence Force Supports Key Infrastructure in Cook Islands

The NZDF arrived on Ma’uke, Cook Islands, and were welcomed with speeches and songs. Photo: Supplied The Royal New Zealand Air Force has flown a team of New Zealand Army engineers to Ma‘uke in the Cook Islands as part of Exercise Tropic Twilight,...

RNZAF Cook Islands Aviator Returns Home

Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force Sergeant Mata, a logistics specialist, is flying on the bulk of the C-130J Hercules flights into Mauke this month and next, as the aircraft delivers personnel and materials for island upgrades as part of...

Pacific islands bound by climate change, divided by deep-sea mining: Nauru…

“The climate crisis is not up for debate,” Micronesian President Wesley Simina said. “The only question is whether we will act with the urgency it demands.” Pacific island leaders agreed. At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly...

NZDF Throws Weight Into Cook Islands Infrastructure Work

Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force The Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules delivered the main body of personnel from 25 Engineer Support Squadron, 2 Engineer Regiment (2ER) on Monday, local time. The NZDF’s Exercise Tropic Twilight...

Pacific islands bound by climate change, divided by deep-sea mining: Nauru swimming against the tide

Deep-sea mining equipment. Photo courtesy of Impossible Metals “The climate crisis is not up for debate,” Micronesian President Wesley Simina said. “The only question is whether we will act with the urgency it demands.” Pacific island leaders...

Why is China funding the Russian war?

Chinese President Xi Jinping with Russian President Vladimir Putin For the first two years of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, China presented itself as an independent arbiter. In 2023 it even proposed a 12-point peace plan that was mainly...

Pacific Resort Hotel Group Celebrates Finalist Nominations in2025 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards

Pacific Resort Hotel Group is honoured to announce that all four of its properties have been named finalists in the 2025 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards. The nominations recognise excellence in visitor experiences, customer care,...

The research ship MV Anuanua Moana is pictured at a port in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, during an expedition to far-flung South Pacific waters in June 2025, spearheading efforts to dredge the tropical waters for industrial deep-sea mining.

Barron, WI (54812) Today Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 61F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 61F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain...

How China became a wedge between New Zealand and the Cook Islands

Even after the two countries’ leaders met face to face last week at a regional forum, there has been no sign of a breakthrough. “It was a serious change when they entered those arrangements with China, and we knew nothing of it,” New Zealand’s...

Iranian Oil Exports to China Come Under Renewed Pressure

Iranian oil exports to China, which over the previous three months averaged 1.52m bpd, fell to 1.4m bpd in September. From January to August, the average monthly figure was 1.45m bpd, so the figure for September shows a fall below this average,...

Seabed Mining Under the Microscope: A Techno-Economic Reality Check

Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with a global expert on minerals processing and battery minerals, Lyle Trytten. We were closing out an engagement to do a...