Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Cook Islands seeks to destabilise NZ on eve of China visit
The Daily Blog
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June 20, 2025
NZ pauses nearly $20m in funding to Cook Islands after China agreements New Zealand has paused nearly $20 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China. New Zealand raised concerns in February, after...
Commentary: Trump’s Mineral Policy Offers Strategic Opportunity in the Pacific
The Ohio Star
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July 5, 2025
by Wyatt J. Greco In an April 2025 executive order, President Trump affirmed that offshore critical minerals are key to creating supply chains that do not depend on adversaries like the People’s Republic of China. While US leadership on deep-sea...
Stat of the week: In 2024, the Cook Islands recorded a negative trade balance of -161,697 USD
Pacific Community (SPC)
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In 2024, the Cook Islands recorded a negative trade balance of -161,697 USD. This means the value of imports exceeded exports, highlighting ongoing economic pressures and reliance on external goods. As small island economies like the Cook Islands...
Heath and Smith named Cook Islands flag bearers
Cook Island News
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June 25, 2025
Team Cook Islands co-flag bearer Alanna Smith, right, and Twinna Tangirere are teaming up in the national beach volleyball team for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau. 25062416 Cook Islands beach volleyball players Brendon Heath and Alanna Smith...
NZ Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll reveals nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands
RNZ
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June 24, 2025
Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied / PMN A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union-Curia shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New...
Cook Islands PM decries New Zealand’s ‘patronising’ aid pause
The Straits Times
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June 20, 2025
Cook Islands PM Mark Brown defended his nation’s ties with China, saying they did not “compromise” its independence.PHOTO: AFP WELLINGTON – Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on June 20 condemned “patronising” neighbour New Zealand, which...
Cook Islands PM slams NZ over funding pause
Otago Daily Times
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June 20, 2025
By Caleb Fortheringham of RNZ Pausing nearly $20 million in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership", Prime Minister Mark Brown has told the Cook Islands parliament. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston...
Cook Islands PM slams NZ for 'patronising approach' over China deal
1News
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Pausing nearly $20 million in development assistance is "patronising" and "inconsistent with modern partnership", Prime Minister Mark Brown has told the Cook Islands parliament. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million...
NZ Taxpayers' Union poll reveals nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands
RNZ
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June 24, 2025
Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Photo: Supplied / PMN A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New Zealand...
Nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands, says poll
Asia Pacific Report
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June 25, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New Zealand citizenship. Thirty percent of the 1000-person sample supported...
Cook Islands PM says China deals do not ‘compromise’ sovereignty
The Sun Daily
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June 20, 2025
WELLINGTON: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday defended a string of contentious deals with China, saying they did not “compromise” the Pacific island nation’s sovereignty. The agreements prompted major donor New Zealand to halt aid...
Cook Islands – trouble in Paradise as Wellington pulls the plug
Waatea News
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June 20, 2025
Role Funding: In December 2024, Prime Minister Mark Brown proposed issuing a unique Cook Islands passport—a move Wellington warned could signal constitutional independence. Although the passport plan was later shelved, it heightened sensitivity...
Cook Island Prime Minister criticises NZ aid pause as ‘patronising’
The New Zealand Herald
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June 20, 2025
The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Peters said had not been lived up to, but Brown said the declaration was “explicitly clear” that the Cook...
Cook Islands nation scrambles to recover millions from New Zealand
World - North Carolina
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June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands’ foreign ministry on Wednesday said it was working to regain millions in funding New Zealand cut off earlier this month. The agency said New Zealand halted the funding due to concerns over a deal the Cook Islands signed with China...
Cook Islands saga another test for Govt’s China policy as Luxon hits Beijing
Newsroom
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June 19, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the “areas of risk” in the strategic deal between the Cook Islands and China include security, defence, sovereignty and international border arrangements. These risk factors are now being worked through by...
From tuna to treaty: Pacific powers push ocean agenda
Pacific Media Network
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Pacific leaders continue to push for more investment, stronger political will, and recognition of traditional knowledge to protect the region’s ocean future. The United Nations’ Ocean Conference (UNOC), held every three years, reviews...
PACIFIC JOURNOS MEET CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL, PRAISE CHINA
Solomon Star
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June 29, 2025
Beijing, China – SIX Pacific Islands journalists met with the Director of the Pacific Island Division, Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry on Foreign Affairs, Gu Xinqiang in Beijing and exchanged views within...
Cook Islands funding frozen over China links
Otago Daily Times
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June 18, 2025
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ 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...
New Zealand withdraws millions in aid from Cook Islands
World Socialist Web Site
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June 24, 2025
New Zealand has abruptly halted nearly $NZ20 million ($US11 million) in funding to the Cook Islands in retaliation for a partnership agreement the tiny Pacific Island nation concluded with China in February without consulting Wellington. NZ...
Trump’s Mineral Policy Offers Strategic Opportunity in the Pacific
The Gateway Pundit
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July 4, 2025
Credit: FOX Sunday Morning Futures screenshot A seabed mining agreement with the island nation of Nauru would reduce China’s influence while establishing America as an industry authority This story originally was published by Real Clear Wire. By...