Cook Islands PM Mark Brown defended the nation’s new strategic partnership with China, citing the need for diverse international partners to fund a $650 million infrastructure plan that NZ alone cannot support, despite NZ’s concerns and paused funding. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

New Zealand has called on Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown to test the views of the Cook Islands people and hold a referendum on independence from New Zealand following his latest defence of agreements with China. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Cook Islands has welcomed a landmark decision delivered by a top United Nations court allowing countries to sue other countries over climate change. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Rarotonga burst into a sea of beauty, colour, pride and joy as the Cook Islands officially opened its 60th Te Maeva Nui Constitution celebrations yesterday. cookislandsnews.com/internal/featu…

Warrants for Ariki titles disputed in the Cook Islands High Court have been issued by the King’s Representative after a recent Are Ariki (House of Ariki) decision to endorse traditional leaders with the titles, based on customary succession. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Former prime minister Henry Puna has urged the Cook Islands and New Zealand governments to resolve their differences privately and with mutual respect, emphasising that their special relationship is too important for public disagreements. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

New Zealand’s Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro is one of the first high-level dignitaries to have arrived in Rarotonga for the Cook Islands’ 60th Constitution celebration on Monday, August 4. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown met with his Tongan counterpart yesterday to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss regional cooperation ahead of the 60th anniversary of Cook Islands’ self-governance. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Green Party co-leader and New Zealand MP Marama Davidson says she doesn’t care what the New Zealand PM or Foreign Affairs Minister have to say about current political tensions between the two countries. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

In a morning filled with emotion, laughter and remembrance, NZ’s Green Party co-leader and MP Marama Davidson shared her personal journey through breast cancer with a packed crowd at the 2025 Pink Ribbon Breakfast hosted at Tamarind House yesterday. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Cook Islands’ tourism industry has received a major boost from its growing Australian market following the announcement of new direct flights from Brisbane to Rarotonga, which will provide more than 50,000 seats annually. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Prime Minister Mark Brown, in his address to mark the Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary of self-governance, focused on the foundations of the country’s identity and the role of culture and faith in nation-building. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

The US is partnering with the Cook Islands to provide scientific and technical support for the nation’s exploration of deep-sea mineral resources, a move that comes amid a fierce national debate and existing collaboration with China on the same issue. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Forty-one vapes were confiscated from an 18-year-old, who arrived from Australia a week ago, prompting a strong warning from Cook Islands Custom Service to all travellers to comply with Cook Islands law. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

A limited stock of aviation fuel in Rarotonga, caused by shipping delays and adverse weather, has led to flight cancellations and major disruptions for tourists and airlines. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

The United States is increasing its presence in the Pacific, including the Cook Islands, due to concerns over China’s growing influence in the region. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), which governs seabed mineral activities under the Seabed Minerals Act 2019 (SBMA Act), emphasises that no commercial extraction can occur without extensive approvals. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

Cook Islands environmental organisation Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) says the joint statement recently released by the United States and Cook Islands government, ‘sounds like the decision to mine has been made’. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 signed between the Cook Islands and China has ‘nothing to do with military or security agenda’, says the Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue. cookislandsnews.com/internal/natio…

The passing of Romani Katoa – a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend – has left a deep void in his cherished homeland of Pukapuka and across the wider Cook Islands community. Senior journalist Melina Etches pens this tribute. cookislandsnews.com/internal/featu…