Cook Islands declares dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga

The Cook Islands government has declared a dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga. In a statement on Thursday (Friday NZST), the Health Ministry said two new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to seven. The Cook Islands...

Cook Islands declares dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga amid rising cases

Two new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to seven. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY The Cook Islands government has declared a dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga. In a statement on Friday (Thursday in the Cook Islands), the...

FBI base in NZ: Collins knew 78 days before PM, Luxon briefed six days before FBI director arrived

SIS Minister Judith Collins knew the FBI was establishing a base in New Zealand 78 days before the Prime Minister was told. Christopher Luxon found out just six days before FBI director Kash Patel landed in the country. According to answers to...

Bridging Divides: A call for new dialogue amid NZ's suspension of aid to the Cook Islands

As a Cook Islander and political analyst, I am deeply concerned by the New Zealand Government’s recent decision to pause core budgetary aid to the Cook Islands. The action was taken in response to the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic...

PAC flags concerns with Cook Islands Investment Corporation

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...

Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal

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’s funding pause to Cook Islands is ‘not the Pacific Way’

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...

Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB political editor on the poll revealing less than a third of respondents support NZ giving Cook Islands services

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...

Former New Zealand PM blames Cook Islands for creating a crisis

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...

Explainer: Why has New Zealand paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal?

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...

NZ halt to Cook Islands funding kept quiet for two weeks

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone 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. The Foreign Minister on...

Tottenham vs Chelsea Live Stream: How to watch Premier League 2025/26 London Derby on TV and online

Tottenham face Chelsea in the Premier League this Saturday teatime in what has become one of the fiercest rivalries in recent seasons. The Battle of the Bridge, Tuchel and Conte’s touchline clash, and Nicolas Jackson’s hat-trick against nine-man...

Liverpool vs Aston Villa live stream: How to watch Premier League 2025/26, TV channels, broadcasters

It's fair to say Liverpool's form has been a rollercoaster. The Reds have endured six defeats in their last seven matches across all competitions and looking to turn their fortunes around. Manager Arne Slot is under increasing pressure looking to...

New Zealand halts Cook Islands funding in stoush over China

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone 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 as Prime Minister...

Pasifika health services scramble as measles cases rise

Pasifika medical providers are mobilising to vaccinate their community most at risk as the number of measles cases increases to 16 nationwide. While herd immunity needs to be at 95% to prevent an outbreak, data on fully vaccinated kids from a...

Cook Islands joins Pacific media in push for ‘Loss and Damage’ climate action

Journalists from across the region, including Cook Islands, are in Samoa for the three-day training to touch base on the losses and the damages being experienced in the Pacific due to climate change. SPREP The ongoing battle against climate change...

Cook Islands registry removed from flag states’ information-sharing compact

THE Cook Islands flag registry has been removed from the Registry Information Sharing Compact, an agreement signed by leading registries to help curb sanctions-busting ploys such as ‘flag hopping’. The removal was the result of a breach of the...

Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis

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...

Mark Brown: Cook Islands 'not consulted' on NZ-China agreements

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: Tiana Haxton Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was "not privy to or consulted on" agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign...

Lagos International Badminton Classic 2025 holds August 27–30

The Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), in collaboration with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), is proud to announce that the prestigious Lagos International Badminton Classic 2025 will take place from August 27 to 30 at the Teslim Balogun...