Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
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...
Cook Islands PM slams NZ over funding pause
Otago Daily Times
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June 20, 2025
By Caleb Fortheringham of RNZ Pausing nearly $20 million in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership", Prime Minister Mark Brown has told the Cook Islands parliament. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston...
Cook Islands PM slams NZ for 'patronising approach' over China deal
1News
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Pausing nearly $20 million in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership", Prime Minister Mark Brown has told the Cook Islands parliament. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million...
Cook Island Prime Minister criticises NZ aid pause as ‘patronising’
The New Zealand Herald
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June 20, 2025
The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Peters said had not been lived up to, but Brown said the declaration was “explicitly clear” that the Cook...
NZ Taxpayers' Union poll reveals nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands
RNZ
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June 24, 2025
Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied / PMN A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New Zealand...
Cook Islands nation scrambles to recover millions from New Zealand
World - North Carolina
·
June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands’ foreign ministry on Wednesday said it was working to regain millions in funding New Zealand cut off earlier this month. The agency said New Zealand halted the funding due to concerns over a deal the Cook Islands signed with China...
Cook Islands anticipated New Zealand funding pause, dialogue ongoing to repair trust
Cook Island News
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June 19, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown with New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Catherine Graham at the Matariki celebration held at Tamarind House in Tupapa last night. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25061818 Cook Islands government anticipated the...
Cook Islands saga another test for Govt’s China policy as Luxon hits Beijing
Newsroom
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June 19, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the “areas of risk” in the strategic deal between the Cook Islands and China include security, defence, sovereignty and international border arrangements. These risk factors are now being worked through by...
New Zealand withdraws millions in aid from Cook Islands
World Socialist Web Site
·
June 24, 2025
New Zealand has abruptly halted nearly $NZ20 million ($US11 million) in funding to the Cook Islands in retaliation for a partnership agreement the tiny Pacific Island nation concluded with China in February without consulting Wellington. NZ...
Cook Islands funding frozen over China links
Otago Daily Times
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June 18, 2025
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ New Zealand has paused its core sector support funding for the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year, Winston Peters office says. It comes...
PAC flags concerns with Cook Islands Investment Corporation
Cook Island News
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June 23, 2025
Public Accounts Committee chair Teokotai Herman in Parliament last week. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25061623 The Public Accounts Committee in review of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) annual and financial period for 2022-2023 has...
Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB political editor on the poll revealing less than a third of respondents support NZ giving Cook Islands services
Newstalk ZB
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June 23, 2025
Less than a third of respondents to a poll believe the Cook Islands should still get New Zealand services. Last week, the Government paused aid after the Cooks signed a partnership with China, without sharing any details with New Zealand. The...
New Zealand’s funding pause to Cook Islands is ‘not the Pacific Way’
Pacific Media Network
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New Zealand’s suspension of funding to the Cook Islands government has seen tensions rise among officials and experts. This follows reports that New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, withheld more than $18 million because...
Cook Islands’ leading business fuels Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade
Cook Island News
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June 17, 2025
CITC proudly supports the Puaikura Volunteer Fire Brigade. From left, fire brigade volunteer Gavin Steiner, fire chief Jason Moorfield, and CITC brands manager George George. CITC/25061601 Cook Islands Trading Corporation (CITC) has proudly...
Former New Zealand PM blames Cook Islands for creating a crisis
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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June 22, 2025
WELLINGTON: Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New Zealand government has paused more than...
Thomas Wynne: Cook Islands’ fourth pillar
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
Thomas Wynne. We have grown up with a national consciousness that tells us our nation stands on three distinct pillars: our Ekalesia (church), our Ui Ariki (traditional leaders), and our Kavamani (government). But has there been another pillar...
Empire Theatre to screen Cook Islands’ first feature film for Matariki
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
A scene from “The Silent One” film, based on the children’s book by Joy Cowley. The film follows the heartwarming story of Jonasi, a deaf-mute boy, and his deep bond with a rare white turtle. SUPPLIED/25062006 To celebrate Matariki 2025, the New...
Stars align for unity: Matariki unites NZ and Cook Islands amidst tensions
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
A little performance at the Matariki celebration based on the importance of Matariki. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25061816 Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga hosted the annual Matariki celebration, emphasising...
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis
Asia Pacific Report
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June 21, 2025
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/producer Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New...
Christopher Luxon raises Cook Islands impasse with Chinese Premier, disagrees with Nato boss that China in league with Russia to undermine West
The New Zealand Herald
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June 20, 2025
Those remarks appear to echo the words of Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who this month urged the Pacific to stand together and stressed the importance of the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum in conducting Pacific affairs. “As we face...