Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
China’s military expansion toward the Southwest Pacific and Oceania
Geopolitical Intelligence Services
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July 15, 2025
Beijing is increasing military activities and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific and transforming the regional security landscape. April 25: A Chinese warship spotted in the West Philippine Sea. Beijing has been growing its military ambitions,...
Tyla’s crusade: The grieving mum who wants her son’s death to make a difference
Newstalk ZB
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July 15, 2025
There was pain on the streets of Whangārei, raw and unfiltered, in the form of a march led by Tyla Simona who became a mum at 21 and the mother of a dead child just three years later. That march last week was the second she has led, trying to find...
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...
NZ rejects Cook Islands’ bid for separate passports
Talanoa 'O Tonga
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December 27, 2024
New Zealand has rejected a proposal from the Cook Islands to introduce separate passports for its citizens while maintaining their New Zealand citizenship. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown had argued that a unique passport would “recognise...
Robert Patman: International Relations Expert on Cook Islands seeking separate passport while wanting to retain NZ citizenship
Newstalk ZB
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December 23, 2024
Cook Islands have had a proposal to introduce separate passports for its citizens while retaining New Zealand citizenship rejected. The office of New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the Cook Islands can only have its own passport if...
‘Get your hands dirty’: Heather advocates for practical agriculture over imports
Cook Island News
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July 7, 2025
Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather, with fellow United Party MPs Robert Heather and Tim Varu in Parliament on June 21, 2025. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25062102 It is important that people balance their focus on technology with hands-on...
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Why does Cook Islands want its own passport? Why has New Zealand rejected it?
Firstpost
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December 23, 2024
The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation in free association with New Zealand, proposed to issue its own passports. The request, which would allow for a unique Cook Islands passport while retaining New Zealand citizenship, has been firmly...
Indian Coffee Plum: A Tiny Fruit Packed with Flavor and Health Benefits
Krishi Jagran
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April 3, 2025
Indian Coffee Plum is a Hidden Gem of Tropical Asia – Bursting with Flavor, Nutrition, and Cultural Significance. (Pic Source: Wikipedia) Indian coffee plum, also known as Flacourtia jangomas, is a small deciduous tree or shrub native to tropical...
New Zealand Rejects Cook Islands’ Bid For A Separate Passport
Arise News
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December 23, 2024
New Zealand has declined a proposal by the Cook Islands to introduce a separate passport for its citizens while retaining New Zealand citizenship. Prime Minister Mark Brown requested separate passports for Cook Islanders “to recognise our own...
New Zealand Rejects Cook Islands Proposal for Separate Passport and Citizenship
[your]NEWS
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December 23, 2024
By Blessing Nweke New Zealand has rejected a proposal from the Cook Islands to introduce a separate passport for its citizens while retaining New Zealand citizenship. The Cook Islands, a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand,...
Cook Islands Government plans to free up essential workers in isolation
Pacific News Service
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Household contacts may be able to work in the future by taking daily Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) prior to going to work, says Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. Prime Minister Brown said he was finding out from Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health...
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta to visit the Cook Islands
Pacific News Service
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Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will this week welcome New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta on her first official visit to the Cook Islands this year. PM Brown said he was delighted to be able to welcome Minister Nanaia Mahuta to the...
Letter: Ditching the Kiwi for the Dragon?
Cook Island News
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July 9, 2025
Dear Editor, There’s been a lot of noise lately. Social media threads, barbershop debates, and coconut wireless conversations about whether the Cook Islands should continue accepting aid from New Zealand. Some call it “dependence.” Others call it...
Paunu Day keeps Cook Islands toddlers healthy
Cook Island News
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September 12, 2024
A toddler on the island of Manihiki helps to collect ava or milk fish for a meal after “Paunu”. SUPPLIED/24091108 Babies and infants on the island of Manihiki attended “Paunu” where their general wellbeing was monitored (weighed, measured and...
Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation: A history of advocacy and resilience 2003-2012
Cook Island News
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October 21, 2024
Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s founding chairperson Sue Woonton, right, with Colin and Tatiana Burn raising breast cancer awareness in September 2003. 03100705 The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation (CIBCF) was born out of a grassroots...
Cook Islands Covid legislation targeting misinformation extended
Pacific News Service
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The Covid-19 Amendment Act, designed to protect the country against the virus through border restrictions and combatting misinformation, was extended for another six months during Cook Islands Parliament last week. Addressing the Bill to extend...
Cook Islanders return from US Leadership Fellowship inspired to make a difference
Cook Island News
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October 22, 2024
Cook Islanders Geoffrey Halston, left, and Mata Rakanui receive their certificates from Professor Joshua White, the US–Pacific Institute for Rising Leaders Fellowship lead from John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. SUPPLIED/...
Cook Islands Games conclude with fireworks and record participation
RNZ
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October 24, 2024
Mangaia win the coveted Cook Islands Games 2024 Opens Trophy. Photo: Supplied / Radio Cook Islands Island flags flew high as fireworks filled the sky, marking the end of the third Cook Islands Games last week. Dancers and drummers joined the...
Cook Islands submits national target for biodiversity conservation
Cook Island News
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October 24, 2024
The Cook Islands delegation is led by National Environment Service environmental stewardship manager, Elizabeth Munro, NES biodiversity coordinator Jessie Nicholson and Moana Tetauru, digital and communications coordinator. SPREP/ 24102312 /...
Thomas Wynne: A history of faith in the Cook Islands
Cook Island News
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December 14, 2024
Thomas Wynne. The journey of faith and religion in the Cook Islands – from Tangaroa to Rongo, from Christianity to Pentecostalism – has always been marked by resistance, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne. In 1821, Christianity was introduced by the...