New Zealand’s pointless ‘war’ with the Cook Islands must end – Richard Prebble

I was in Rarotonga last week. We are not winning. Tourism is booming. Our plane was so full that Air New Zealand offered another night’s accommodation for a passenger to offload. We know how this war started. The Cook Islands Government signed a...

The Power of Plants: Tvati Pet Blends Traditional Medicine with Modern Innovation

With a commitment to blending time-honored medicinal practices and modern scientific knowledge, Tvati Pet recently debuted its natural mobility and joint support massage oil, sustainably sourced from the Cook Islands and made in the U.S.A. Tvati...

Kunming Biodiversity Fund approves $5.8 million in funding for FAO-led projects in seven countries

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has helped seven countries secure $5.8 million in financing from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) to integrate biodiversity into agrifood systems and drive action under the...

Cook Islands aviator returns home in milestone RNZAF flight to Ma'uke

The RNZAF’s Sergeant Matatunoa Mata got an enthusiastic welcome when he landed at his home island of Ma’uke in the Cook Islands for Exercise Tropic Twilight Photo: Supplied - NZDF A Cook Islander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) made an...

Skipper confident in Kumuls’ strength ahead of Cook Islands clash

The PNG Kumuls captain Rhyse Martin says the national team continues to grow stronger with every tournament as they prepare to face the Cook Islands Aitu in second week of the Pacific Championships this Saturday at the National Football Stadium....

AI is Decoding Whales’ Language. Could That Be a Turning Point in the Push for Their Rights?

For centuries, humans have drawn a line between themselves and other species, initially claiming that other animals couldn’t feel pain. Science proved they could. Then the argument shifted: Animals lacked consciousness or the ability to think in...

Global study maps how trade and travel fuel the worldwide spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes

A comprehensive global analysis reveals how non-native mosquito vectors are hitchhiking across continents via shipping, tourism, and trade, pinpointing the regions where prevention and early detection could have the greatest impact. Study: Global...

Pacific health leaders call for stronger alcohol and tobacco policies

WHO says alcohol use is the world's leading risk factor for illness, disability and death. Photo: 123rf Pacific health leaders say alcohol and tobacco control are key to combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Health ministers from 38...

Cook Islands PM Brown welcomes United States’ increasing engagements in the Pacific

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed the United States’ increasing involvement in the Pacific. Brown, who is also the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, made the comments in the U.S-Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Dialogue in Port...

Pacific Championship Teams engage students in joint school clinic at NFS

A joint school clinic was held today at the Santos National Football Stadium, bringing together students in NCD and rugby league stars from across the Pacific. Players from the Papua New Guinea Kumuls, Tonga XIII, Cook Islands Aitu, and Cook...

‘Job Done And More’ – NZDF Winds Up Exercise Tropic Twilight In Cook Islands

Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force Funded by the MFAT, this years exercise involves more than 30 personnel from the New Zealand Armys 25 Engineer Support Squadron, 2 Engineer Regiment supported by a medical team and troops from Australia,...

Far North soldier Ardyn Prentice leads Army health protection during Cook Islands exercise

Those 30 personnel aren’t just thrown into the tropics and told to get on with it. Prentice is there to protect the health of the soldiers by mitigating potential health hazards in the environment. This involves ensuring water safety through...

Aviator returns home | RNZAF aircraft lands on Ma’uke Island

A Cook Islander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) made an emotional return to his tiny island home this month. Sergeant Matatunoa Mata joined the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) on a mission to Ma’uke Island for Exercise Tropic Twilight...

100 Countries Committed To Climate Action For Health

With 100 UN Member States committing to climate and health action and sharing knowledge, the Alliance is working towards securing and greening the future of global health. ATACH is a voluntary network of countries, areas and partners working to...

Political Divide Deepens Over Seabed Mining in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands should be allowed to “make their own choices” and “have a right to their own future development” in terms of seabed mining, according to former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Deep-sea mining was a subject at a panel...

In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the U.S and China emerges

By Prianka Srinivasan RAROTONGA (THE GUARDIAN) —Around the Cook Islands, the world’s two most powerful countries are exploring the possibility of deep-sea mining for critical minerals Deep below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the seafloor is...

Measles outbreak: Pacific countries issue alerts as cases rise in New Zealand

“Your action can save lives and protect our communities from another measles outbreak,” Samoan health authorities said. “Measles is a highly contagious and deadly disease, especially for young children. It can cause severe complications –...

Pacific news in brief for 28 October

Angau Memorial Hospital (file image) Photo: RNZI Papua New Guinea Power outages in Papua New Guinea is affecting Angau Memorial General Hospital in Lae, Morobe province, the regional hospital's chief executive says. The National newspaper reports...

Pacific Islands focus: health and gender inequities, climate updates, and some hope for marine biodiversity

Introduction by Croakey: In breaking news on Thursday, Papua New Guinea’s cabinet has approved a landmark defence agreement with Australia. PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape said the agreement, known as the PukPuk treaty, “will elevate the two...

International rugby league sets HUGE all-time attendance record on historic weekend

The biggest ever combined attendance to watch a single weekend of international rugby league has assembled over the last few days – by some distance, too. The international game appears to be in rude health once again after a fallow period,...