You Must See Parvati Shallow on 'Survivor: Australia V The World'

It's no secret: we love Parvati Shallow here at PAPER. The long reigning queen of the Survivor-verse has become a cultural force via her stacked legacy on the long running game of social strategy and her memorable runs on The Traitors and Deal Or...

State Dept. announces sea mining collaboration with Cook Islands

The State Department says the U.S. will collaborate with the Cook Islands on deep-sea mineral mining, at the same time the Trump Administration faces pushback on the issue in American Samoa. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…...

U.S. eyes deeper ties with Cook Islands

#. US-Cook Islands meet PACIFIC NEWS BRIEFS w_header Compiled by Samoa News staff The United States is looking to build stronger ties with the Cook Islands following a historic diplomatic visit this week by its Chargé d'Affaires, David Gehrenbeck,...

Volleyball tournament raises funds for young Cook Islander’s recovery

Members of the “Give a Little Aroa” group, a staff-led initiative within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM), at a fundraising event in 2022. MFEM/25081223 Twenty-seven teams are set to compete in a volleyball fundraiser...

Cook Islands confronts critical questions on identity as debate on deep-sea mining grows 

Hundreds of people peacefully rallied at sea to protect the ocean from seabed activities in August 2024. TE IPUKAREA SOCIETY/24091830/24091831/24091832 As the Cook Islands approaches the end of its five-year seabed minerals exploration phase and...

PTI responds to 29 calls for help in July

The Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI), the women’s counselling and support centre for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), executive board members. MELINA ETCHES/24091707 Punanga Turuturu Itivaine (PTI), the women’s counselling and support...

FBI expands reach to Cook Islands

By Talaia Mika, Cook Islands FBI Director Kash Patel at the opening ceremony for a dedicated law enforcement attaché office in Wellington. Photo: Supplied/OLA THORSEN The United States is increasing its presence in the Pacific, including the Cook...

Chinese envoy stresses partnership agreement with Cook Islands 'has nothing to do with military or security agenda': media

China-Cook Islands relationship Photo: VCG The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 signed between China and the Cook Islands has "nothing to do with any military or security agenda," and that "everyone could see for themselves…...

Connecting Islands Through Art: Rarotonga Airport Unveils Murals Celebrating All 15 Islands

A colourful new addition now greets arriving and departing guests at Rarotonga International Airport. The main arrivals and departure hall features vibrant murals that honour all 15 islands of the Cook Islands, each painted in the traditional...

Cook Islands proposes new regional strategy to Pacific leaders

Cook Islands delegation led by Minister for Internal Affairs Rose Toki-Brown (third from left) and INTAFF secretary Anne Herman (second from left). INTAFF/25080610 Minister for Internal Affairs (INTAFF) Rose Toki-Brown introduced the RARANGA 2050...

Large seabed mineral reserves are within 1,000 mile radius of Am Samoa

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The total monetary value of seabed critical minerals in the South Pacific is estimated to be around US$20 trillion. This value includes vast reserves of cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements found...

Aust-PNG relations at 50: Pride,politics and price of partnership

Papua New Guinea kicked off a festival of 50th anniversary independence celebrations last month with breathless fanfare that will run well into the rest of the year. The national milestone will fall on Sept 16. Billboards have sprung up around...

New Zealand government snubs Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary celebration

In a clear and deliberate diplomatic snub, the New Zealand government boycotted celebrations in the Cook Islands on August 4 marking 60 years of “self-government in free association with New Zealand.” Constitution Day, or Te Maeva Nui, is held...

Cook Islands rugby league teams face tough competition in Port Moresby

Cook Islands Moana will battle PNG Orchids on October 17 before facing the Tonga XIII on October 24 in the 2025 Pacific Championships Bowl competition. Both matches will be held at Santos National Football Stadium. NRL/25080617 The Cook Islands...

United States eyes deeper ties with Cook Islands, help businesses form ties

The United States is looking to build stronger ties with the Cook Islands following a historic diplomatic visit this week by its Chargé d’Affaires, David Gehrenbeck, who met with Prime Minister Mark Brown during the nation’s 60th anniversary of...

Cook Islands seeks balance as record tourism numbers put strain on local environment

Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga Photo: Caleb Fotheringham As the Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of self-governance, the nation is looking at how the backbone of its economy can move beyond just economic benefits. Rarotonga is as popular as it has ever...

Kata: Cook Islands PM PR person

Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority 

Pictured are the deep sea manganese nodules found in the Cook Islands Photo: EEZ. SEABED MINERALS AUTHORITY/20092117 The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), which governs seabed mineral activities under the Seabed Minerals Act 2019 (SBMA Act),...

US-Cook Islands partnership ‘sounds like the decision to mine has been made’, says environmentalists

Concerned Cook Islands residents turned up for a preplanned rally against potential deep sea mining at the Avarua Harbour in 2024. 24091824 Cook Islands environmental organisation Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) says the joint statement recently...

Cook Islands Rage concert features legendary performers

Cook Island Rage makes its return after a 10-year hiatus, celebrating the Cook Islands' vibrant music scene with legendary artists and contemporary performers. Heimana Music Distribution/25080601 Cook Island Rage makes its return after a 10-year...