Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Seabed mining could help solve freight woes, says Moana Minerals CEO
Cook Island News
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June 24, 2025
Moana Minerals chief executive officer Hans Smit onboard the Anuanua Moana vessel. TALAIA MIKA/25061114 Moana Minerals chief executive officer Hans Smit says the Cook Islands’ long-standing issues with freight cost and shipping delays could be...
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...
Letter to Prime Minister Carney: Canada's Position on Deep Sea Mining
MiningWatch Canada
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The following letter was sent to Prime Minister Marc Carney by 20 Canadian and international civil society organizations, coalitions, and unions, including MiningWatch Canada. The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada...
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...
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...
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...
'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...
NZ halts Cook Islands aid over PRC row
Taipei Times
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said yesterday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...
China could be major beneficiary of New Zealand's move on Cook Islands - security expert
RNZ
·
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...
Funding for Cook Islands halted over China row
The Manila Times
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June 19, 2025
WELLINGTON — New Zealand announced on Thursday that it was suspending NZ$18.2 million ($10.97 million) in budget funding to the Cook Islands, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the...
Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal
Asia Pacific Report
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June 19, 2025
BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter; Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands...
New Zealand pauses Cook Islands aid over China deals
Deutsche Welle
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday said millions of dollars in funding for the Cook Islands would be suspended while his government examines the "breadth and content" of agreements with China. Luxon, who is visiting China...
New Zealand stops funding to Cook Islands in row over China
TVC News Nigeria
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said on Thursday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally-linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...
Pacific leaders call for peace amid Middle East tensions as Melanesia eyes regional solidarity
Pacific Media Network
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Pacific leaders have voiced their worries about the ongoing political unrest around the world, especially the conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The concerns were shared during a meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group...
New Zealand cuts funding for Cook Islands in response to China deals
The Times
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New Zealand has cut millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands in retaliation over the Pacific nation’s deepening ties with China. Relations between Wellington and Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, which is 1,800 miles northeast of New...
New Zealand Freezes Aid to Cook Islands Over China Pact, Demands Restoration of Trust
Arise News
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands following revelations of sweeping agreements between the Pacific nation and China deals that Wellington says it was never consulted on. The NZ$18.2 million (US$11 million)...
New Zealand has suspended millions in funding to the Cook Islands over its growing China ties
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Georgia
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Relations between the smaller Pacific island nations and their regional backers Australia and New Zealand have stumbled in recent years as Beijing vies to increase its sway in the region. The latest move by New Zealand was striking because it...
Tensions rise as New Zealand freezes millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over China deals
The Independent
·
June 19, 2025
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...