Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Cook Islands MP warns workers to pay more tax despite minimum wage increase
RNZ
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July 10, 2025
The minimum wage up slightly from NZ$9.50 to $10 (around US$6) on 1 July. Photo: 123RF A Cook Islands MP is accusing the government of taxing low-wage earners more by not adjusting the tax-free threshold with a minimum wage increase. The changes...
Cook Islands set for historic debut
Cook Island News
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July 10, 2025
For the first time in history, the Cook Islands women's basketball team will step onto the court at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Division. FIBA/25070921 From a dream born in 2017 to a team built on family bonds, Cook Islands are ready to make...
Cook Islands govt to consider increasing sugary drinks and alcohol tax proposal
Pacific Media Network
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The proposal to increase taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol will be considered by the Cook Islands Cabinet this month as the Health Ministry ramps up efforts to tackle rising chronic health problems in the country. A draft gazette listing...
New fund for Cook Islands business dreams
Cook Island News
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July 9, 2025
MSME Day cake cutting celebration with New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Catherine Graham, second from right. SUPPLIED /25070812 The MSME Day Celebration, hosted by the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Pacific, at...
‘True sportsmanship’: Chef de mission Short praises Team Cook Islands
Cook Island News
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July 9, 2025
Samasoni Mose Hewitt won gold in the Open Men High Jump at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. ACI/25070813 As the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau ended yesterday, Chef de Mission Mark Short says he was extremely proud of the athletes that...
Pacific Islands News Roundup – July 4 – July 10, 2025
Pacific Islands Report
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July 11, 2025
Editor’s Note: We are undergoing a web host migration process and may need to make necessary modifications to our format and frequency over the next several weeks. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Political Leadership and Regionalism,...
Pacific news in brief for 11 July
RNZ
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July 10, 2025
The prestigious titles of Turaga Tui Nayau, Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau and Tui Lau are being be bestowed upon Ratu Tevita this week. Photo: Facebook / Ministry of itaukei Affairs Fiji - donation China's Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian has handed over a...
Pacific islands push back against growing climate threats
Climate Home News
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July 10, 2025
The Cook Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia are separated by around 6,000 kilometres of Pacific Ocean. Despite the vast stretch of water between them, the two small island nations share a common challenge: how to protect their people...
Family, faith, and firsts: Cook Islands set for historic debut
FIBA Basketball
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GOLD COAST (Australia) - For the first time in history, the Cook Islands women's basketball team will step onto the court at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 Division B - and it’s not just a debut, it’s a dream come true years in the making....
Pacific Mini Games comes to a close
Pacific Daily News
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After 10 days of regional competition, Team Guam heads home from Palau with 20 medals and an endless amount of memories. Long distance collegiate runner Hugh Kent paved the way with half of Guam’s gold medal count of four. He and fellow long...
Peters rejects claim Aotearoa funding freeze to Cook Islands is ‘patronising’
Cook Island News
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July 8, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo composite: Newsroom/25070713 New Zealand Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters rejects suggestions that pausing of development funding to the...
Pacific Islands focus: deep sea mining, reproductive injustice and a new breast screen campaign
Croakey Health Media
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July 10, 2025
Introduction by Croakey: World leaders are calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining to prevent devastating and irreversible environmental harm. This week, governments are meeting in Jamaica at the 30th Session of the International Seabed...
Pacific news in brief for 10 July
RNZ
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July 9, 2025
Photo: Photo Illustration / Nik Dirga Cook Islands - plastic Cook Islands has banned plastic shopping bags, with retailers facing a fine of up to NZ$20,000 for supplying them. This provision, alongside others, was passed in Parliament last week as...
The Cook Islands’ Dilemma: To Mine or Not to Mine
Triple Pundit
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This article is part of our series on responsible mining solutions. The push for clean energy is fueled by a growing demand for minerals, but conventional mining has a track record of harmful social and environmental impacts. Deep-sea mining is...
MANA: Spirit of the Pacific Coming to Auckland
TP+
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July 11, 2025
Photo: Discover Auckland MANA: Spirit of the Pacific, a new Polynesian dinner and dance show is heading to Auckland next month. Auckland is known as the largest Polynesian city in the world but tourists in search of authentic cultural experiences...
Fiji’s Heleina Young and Samoa’s John Tafi named Outstanding Athletes at 2025 Pacific Mini Games closing ceremony
Island Times
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July 11, 2025
Koror, Palau | July 9, 2025— The 2025 Pacific Mini Games officially concluded on Tuesday evening at the Palau National Track, where athletes, officials, and fans gathered for the closing ceremony — a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural...
Athletics lead Team Cook Islands’ final medal push at Mini Games
Cook Island News
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July 7, 2025
Team Cook Islands hosted a thank you ceremony for their village mayor, the village liaison, the state governor for Ngaraard (the sister state), the Palau Community College president and their sister state liaison over the weekend. CISNOC/25070650...
Telecom Niue vs Starlink; government yet to decide
Television Niue
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July 11, 2025
Minister of Finance Crossley Tatui says that the government has yet to make a final decision on allowing Starlink units to operate legally in Niue. In an interview with BCN news last week, Minister Tatui said that the government is awaiting a...
They need to listen and act now: Pacific countries ramp up…
Pacific News Service
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Pacific countries have taken a critical step to finalise their priorities as they ramp up the call for a high-ambition treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. Ahead of the second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental...
Letter: Cook Islands superannuation
Cook Island News
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July 7, 2025
Dear Editor, We’ve just built nine small units costing less than $30,000.00 each which could house up to two people. I was being generous about the $50,000.00 cost for a little unit. Therefore, I do know what I’m talking about 100%. Depreciation,...