Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of partnership with New Zealand amid geopolitical tensions

Crowds gathered in Auckland as the Cook Islands community celebrated its language week and 60 years of free association with New Zealand. The 60th Anniversary and Opening of Cook Islands Language Week 2025 kicked off on Monday in Glen Innes at the...

Cook Islands opposition rejects independence, calls for greater self-sufficiency

Cook Islands leader of the opposition Tina Browne Photo: Caleb Fotheringham The leader of the Cook Islands opposition Tina Browne wants the country to be more self-sufficient, but says there is no desire to be independent from New Zealand. The...

Cook Islands at a crossroads: Calls for honesty and renewed Pacific…

As the Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of self-governance, a diplomatic rift with New Zealand over deepening ties with China highlights a central tension between legacy and ambition. Tuesday, New Zealand time, marks 60 years since the...

Cook Islands at a crossroads: Calls for honesty and renewed Pacific partnership

Tuesday, New Zealand time, marks 60 years since the establishment of the Cook Islands as a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand. The relationship is now caught between legacy and ambition, sovereignty and partnership. Aupito...

Debate unfolds over NZ-Cook Islands tensions and Pacific unemployment

Two Cook Islands commentators agree that there is a need for improved communication between New Zealand and the Cook Islands amid tensions between the two nations and the growing disappointment among Cook Islanders with their government. Prime...

Every international rugby league game scheduled for 2025 with full list published

It’s shaping up to be a brilliant year on the international front, with a multitude of events all over the world. Rugby league has often neglected the international game but that looks set to change this year and next, on the road to the Rugby...

PM Rabuka to skip Pacific Foreign Ministers meet today

Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka will not attend todays Pacific Foreign Ministers meeting in Suva. The Pacific Islands Forum has confirmed Fiji will be represented by Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Special Envoy of the...

U.S begins talks with Cook Islands on seabed mining, gears up to compete with China

WASHINGTON/RAROTONGA (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) —-The U.S has begun discussions with the Cook Islands on the exploration of seabed minerals within its waters, in a bid to catch up with China, which has previously clinched a similar deal with the...

Jetstar to launch Cook Islands service from Brisbane

Brisbane Airport has secured its 35th direct international connection, with Jetstar to commence flights to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands from May 2026. The new service will operate three times a week, offering Queenslanders a low-cost, nonstop...

Mission Critical: US strikes Cook Islands mining deal

The United States and Cook Islands have announced a partnership to advance scientific research and ‘responsible development’ of the billions of dollars of seabed minerals wealth within the Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone, following China's...

Cook Islands and Tonga strengthen bilateral ties ahead of celebrations

Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday welcomed the Prime Minister of Tonga and current Pacific Islands Forum Chair, Dr. Aisake Eke, to Rarotonga to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Cook Islands self-governance. OPM/25080195 Cook Islands Prime...

U.S. Counters China with Deep-Sea Mining Cook Islands Pact

Key Takeaways U.S. pushes deep-sea mining Cook Islands partnership amid China’s Pacific expansion. Cook Islands–China pact in February sparked geopolitical tension with New Zealand. Trump’s order bypassed UNCLOS to expedite U.S. seabed mining...

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...

US starts seabed mineral talks with Cook Islands

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The US has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed minerals exploration and development, the State Department said on Tuesday. The Cook Islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and are made up...

US research vessel to aid Cook Islands’ seabed mineral exploration

From left, Joshua Kroon, US Department of Commerce’s deputy assistant secretary for textiles, consumer goods, materials, critical minerals and metals. David Gehrenbeck, Chargé d’Affaires US Mission to NZ, Cook Islands, and Niue, Prime Minister...

PM Eke joins Cook Islands’ 60th Anniversary

Prime Minister Hon. Dr Aisake Eke met Cook Islands leader Hon. Mark Brown ahead of Monday’s constitution anniversary celebrations. The meeting took place today in Rarotonga, where the two leaders reaffirmed diplomatic ties and shared regional...

PNG Kumuls Set for Showdowns with Fiji and Cook Islands

SP PNG Hunters coach Paul Aiton is calling on his players to finish the season strong to improve their chances of representing the country in the upcoming Pacific Championships. Aiton believes standout performances in the Queensland Cup’s final...

Greenpeace USA Condemns U.S.–Cook Islands Deep-Sea Mining Talks as Backdoor Push for Extraction

Greenpeace International activists peacefully confronted UK Royal Research Ship James Cook in the East Pacific waters as it returned from a seven-week long expedition to a section of the Pacific Ocean targeted for deep sea mining. An activist...

Rawiri Waititi on the Cook Islands & kaupapa

US says it has started seabed mining talks with the Cook Islands

As the Cook Islands mark 60 years of self-governance, the United States has begun talks with the island nation about researching seabed mineral exploration and development. According to a joint statement, the two governments have begun discussions...