Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
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
·
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...
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for creating a crisis
RNZ
·
June 20, 2025
Helen Clark, middle, says Cook Islands caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. Photo: RNZ Pacific Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand,...
New Zealand pauses Cook Islands funding over deepening China ties
The Mainichi
·
June 20, 2025
This combined photo shows New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, left, and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. (Kyodo) SYDNEY (Kyodo) -- New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands, the government said...
Pacific news in brief for 27 June
RNZ
·
June 26, 2025
USP Photo: Facebook / USP Papua New Guinea - education The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape has announced that PNG students at the University of the South Pacific (USP) campuses will receive govenment financial support. He also said...
New Zealand Freezes Cook Islands Aid Over Concerns About CCP Links
The Epoch Times
·
June 20, 2025
While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Beijing encouraging CCP officials to increase trade and tourism with New Zealand, his Foreign Minister Winston Peters appears to have taken Cabinet by surprise by announcing a freezing of aid to the...
Bridging Divides: A call for new dialogue amid NZ's suspension of aid to the Cook Islands
Pacific Media Network
·
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...
'Puts New Zealand in a weaker position' - expert on Peters' Cook Islands move
RNZ
·
June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...
NZ halts Cook Islands aid over PRC row
Taipei Times
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said yesterday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...
Mark Brown: Cook Islands 'not consulted' on NZ-China agreements
RNZ
·
June 19, 2025
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...
OTF Pacific Nations Cup- American Samoa 2025 Opens
Samoa News
·
July 2, 2025
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Tennis Association (ASTA) held its opening ceremony, Monday, June 30, 2025, for the International Tennis Federation/Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF) “2025 Pacific Nations Cup” hosted in American Samoa...
China could be major beneficiary of New Zealand's move on Cook Islands - security expert
RNZ
·
June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...
New Zealand pauses Cook Islands aid over China deals
Deutsche Welle
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday said millions of dollars in funding for the Cook Islands would be suspended while his government examines the "breadth and content" of agreements with China. Luxon, who is visiting China...
PM Brown: Cook Islands not consulted on NZ-China deals amid funding pause
Cook Island News
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon witnessed the signing of $871 million of commercial agreements between NZ businesses and their Chinese partners. Picture: CHRISTOPHER LUXON Cook Islands was “not privy to or consulted on” any agreements New Zealand...
Watch: Preparing for the biggest Cook Islands festival in Aotearoa
RNZ
·
June 20, 2025
Te Maeva Nui NZ is seen as the largest Cook Islands cultural festival outside of the Cook Islands. Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor went along to an audition night for the only team outside of Auckland, Oire-Te Whanganui a Tara with camera man Mark Papalii....
Funding for Cook Islands halted over China row
The Manila Times
·
June 19, 2025
WELLINGTON — New Zealand announced on Thursday that it was suspending NZ$18.2 million ($10.97 million) in budget funding to the Cook Islands, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the...
New Zealand stops funding to Cook Islands in row over China
TVC News Nigeria
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said on Thursday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally-linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...
New Zealand cuts funding for Cook Islands in response to China deals
The Times
·
New Zealand has cut millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands in retaliation over the Pacific nation’s deepening ties with China. Relations between Wellington and Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, which is 1,800 miles northeast of New...
Students celebrate Te Reo Māori
Cook Island News
·
July 2, 2025
Te Tarere Purua (Poetry) competition for secondary school female students was held at Te Are Karioi Nui. From left: Terii Tuakana of Tereora College (Year 10) placed first, Charlee Puna of Tereora College (Year 9) second, and Manuarii Teatai of...
Robert Patman: International Relations Expert says Luxon will "set the record straight" over Cook Islands dispute
Newstalk ZB
·
June 19, 2025
An International Relations Expert says the Prime Minister will set the record straight in China regarding the pause on Cook Island aid funding. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has put millions of dollars in developmental aid on hold - saying trust...
Xi to Luxon: No China-New Zealand conflict, even as Cook Islands pivot raises eyebrows
Malay Mail
·
June 20, 2025
BEIJING, June 20 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said today that Beijing had “no fundamental conflicts of interest” with New Zealand, as he welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on an official visit. Luxon’s trip comes at a time of tension with...