Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
New Zealand halts aid to Cook Islands over China deals
The Manila Times
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June 19, 2025
WELLINGTON — New Zealand's government halted aid to close partner the Cook Islands on Thursday because of a row over agreements the Pacific island nation struck with China. New Zealand "paused" the payments and would not resume them until the Cook...
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New Zealand halts millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over deals with China
Firstpost
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June 19, 2025
The self-governing Cook Islands, a country of 17,000 people, has a “free association” relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand, which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence read more New...
New Zealand halts millions of funds to Cook Islands over its China ties
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Georgia
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Freeze emerges as NZ's leader visits China News of the 18.2 million New Zealand dollar ($11 million) funding halt Thursday only emerged when a Cook Islands news outlet saw its brief mention in a government budget document. It's likely to prove...
Explainer: Why has New Zealand paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal?
RNZ
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June 19, 2025
The diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand has come to a head. Photo: RNZ Pacific New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with...
New Zealand halts millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over deals struck with China
The Guardian
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June 18, 2025
New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over the “breadth and content” of agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China, officials from the New Zealand foreign minister’s office has said. New Zealand,...
New Zealand halts Cook Islands funding over China row
KDAL - Minnesota
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June 18, 2025
By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand announced on Thursday 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...
New Zealand halts money to a Pacific nation over its China ties
Associated Press
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June 18, 2025
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over the “breadth and content” of agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China, officials from the New Zealand Foreign Minister’s...
Decades of climate uncertainty: Cook Islands grower speaks
Cook Island News
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June 18, 2025
After more than 30 years of farming on her Takuvaine plantation, Jean Tekura Mason says climate change has disrupted everything she understood about farming. “I’ve been a planter, gardener for over 30 years basically and what I’ve noticed over...
Hawaii Coast Guard crew wraps up enforcement mission in Cook Islands
Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii
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June 18, 2025
1/2 Swipe or click to see more AUSTIN WILEY / U.S. COAST GUARD / JUNE 7 A 26-foot over-the-horizon small boat carrying Coast Guard crew, two Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources fisheries officers and a translator from the U.S. Marine Corps...
Te Ipukarea Society: Questioning the concept of deep seabed mining
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
Dr Chris Fleming, an economist from Grifith University in Queensland, Australia, talking at the Deep Ocean Symposium in Rarotonga last year. TIS/25062020 In a recent Time Magazine article, explorer and investor Victor Vescovo asserts that the...
USCGC Harriet Lane Conducts Maritime Law Enforcement Operations With Cook Islands Partners
Seapower Magazine
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June 17, 2025
From Coast Guard 14th District External Affairs, June 16, 2025 RAROTONGA, Cook Islands – The U.S. Coast Guard concluded bilateral maritime law enforcement operations alongside Cook Islands law enforcement partners offshore Rarotonga Friday. The...
Strengthening crisis planning between Australia and Cook Islands
Cook Island News
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June 17, 2025
Australia’s Pacific Coordinator in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Crisis Preparedness and Management Branch, Angela Johnson (third from left), visited Rarotonga to enhance cooperation on crisis response and consular planning. She is...
Cook Islands announces protection zone for migrating Oceania humpback whales
RNZ
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June 12, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown arrives at Tuurangawaewae Marae Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown has announced the creation of a zone to protect the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania...
Unknown dangers of deep sea mining
The National
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DEEP sea mining can be done in the domestic ocean boundaries and also at the international waters. The ocean waters know no boundaries and freely flow from one country zone to anther zone. Ocean waters are highly mobile and due to strong current...
Cook Islands under scrutiny as deep-sea mining debate shifts from green transition to militarisation
Te Ao Maori News
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This week, the Cook Islands came under scrutiny for excluding environmentalist groups from deep-sea mining consultations in Queensland, Australia. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to Pacific nations, but an escalating military buildup...
Ministry of Agriculture boosts capacity in plant and soil health
Cook Island News
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June 19, 2025
Two specialists from the Pacific Community (SPC) are in Rarotonga this week delivering vital training to help the Ministry of Agriculture build more sustainable farming systems. Standing from left: Dr Rohit Lal, a soil scientist, William Wigmore,...
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...
Cook Islands youth demand transparency in seabed mining talks
Pacific Media Network
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Cook Islander Helena Keenan-Williams is calling for greater transparency and genuine consultation over the government’s controversial seabed mining plans. Speaking from Sydney following a last-minute public meeting with Prime Minister Mark Brown,...
Cook Islands creates Pacific’s first ocean protection zone for whales
Cook Island News
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June 10, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown with Sandrina Thondoo, director of Treaties, Multilaterals and Oceans Division at the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM/25060904 Cook Islands is creating the Pacific’s first...
Mangaia seeks clarity on seabed mining, welcomes engagement
Cook Island News
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June 18, 2025
Three of the traditional leaders in Mangaia under the leadership of Mangaia’s Numangatini Ariki Tangitamaiti Tereapii during the consultation. TALAIA MIKA/ 25061713 Concerns over proposed seabed mining in the Cook Islands are beginning to ease in...