Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Atiu steps up fight against invasive species, strengthens climate resilience
Cook Island News
·
July 7, 2025
Atiu’s main harbour is where most visitors are welcomed to the island. TALAIA MIKA/25070305 Atiu is ramping up efforts to control invasive species that threaten its environment, food supply and climate resilience, with vital support from regional...
Pet Talk: Veterinary outreach to the Pa Enua
Cook Island News
·
July 2, 2025
Te Are Manu provided veterinary services to the southern Pa Enua — Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro and Atiu — alongside its partners at Cook Islands Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. TAM/25070103 In the last few months, I had the privilege...
Nassau mobilises against dengue
Cook Island News
·
July 1, 2025
Apii Nassau students helping the community with collecting plastics or cans all around the island of Nassau in June. APII NASSAU/25061805 A remote Cook Islands school on the northern group island is joining forces with its community to keep the...
Support worker taunts vulnerable woman, shares video without consent
Newstalk ZB
·
July 7, 2025
A support worker filmed herself taunting and threatening a woman with a history of challenging behaviour. She then shared the video with other people and described the woman as a “c**t” in a string of text messages. A complaint was later filed...
Support worker filmed vulnerable woman being taunted, then shared the video
Rotorua Daily Post
·
She had a criminal history including wilful damage, threatening language, and assault and entered a residential service in 2021. Her support worker, known as Ms C in a decision released today, took photos of Ms A and a video of her without consent...
NES investigates ‘illegal’ rubbish burning near Blackrock preschool
Cook Island News
·
July 3, 2025
Thursday 3 July 2025 | Written by webmaster | Published in The National Environment Service (NES) is “actively investigating” reports of burning rubbish near the Blackrock ECE school in Nikao, following concerns raised last week about the...
Our voyage to Statehood, 60 years on: understanding the nature and practice of free-association as we reflect on our development journey
Cook Island News
·
June 28, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Brown. SUPPLIED. This year, the Cook Islands marks 60 years of self-governance, an historic milestone in our voyage to statehood, by Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. In 1965, our people chose to shape our own...
Juvenile seal found at Muri beach dies
Cook Island News
·
July 5, 2025
A juvenile seal was found stranded at the Muri beach on Thursday morning. SUPPLIED/25070309 /25070310/25070324 A juvenile seal discovered at Muri beach on Thursday passed away after being taken to Te Are Manu Vet Clinic. The Ministry of Marine...
Significant increase in tobacco tax
Cook Island News
·
June 28, 2025
Secretary of Health Bob Williams and Minister of Health Vainetutai Rose Toki Brown with the award from World Health Organization in Geneva in May, 2025. TMO/25052224 Cook Islands Cabinet has approved a significant increase in tobacco tax, aiming...
Pacific news in brief for 1 July
RNZ
·
July 1, 2025
Niue government buildings Photo: RNZ/ Sally Round Niue - budget Health, education, social welfare and government salaries have receives a boost in the Niue government's new NZ$12.5 million (US$7.6m) deficit budget. Last week, the island's finance...
NZ urged to trim government size amid rising spending concerns - Bruce Cotterill
The New Zealand Herald
·
July 4, 2025
Suddenly, and unusually, there’s been some commentary about the costs of running our Government. Ironically, many of the commentators are those same parties who stood by and watched the last Government run economic riot over the country’s...
From tuna to treaty: Pacific powers push ocean agenda
Pacific Media Network
·
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...
Alexandrian Laurel
Vallarta Mirror
·
July 3, 2025
Alexandrian Laurel (Calophyllum inophyllum) Family: Clusiaceae Also known as: Alexandrian Laurel Balltree, Beach Calophyllum, Beach Touriga, Beauty Leaf, Borneo-Mahogany, Dilo Oil Tree, Indian Laurel, Indian Doomba Oil Tree, Indian-laurel,...
Seabed mining consultations raise fisheries concerns
Pacific Media Network
·
Concerns over the potential impact of seabed mining on fish stocks - a vital food source and livelihood for outer islanders - dominated the recent consultations hosted by Moana Minerals in the Ngaputoru islands of Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro. Despite...
China irks NZ as its influence spreads in the South Pacific
The Tribune (Chandigarh)
·
June 23, 2025
Hong Kong, June 23 (ANI): The Pacific Islands are considered a point of vulnerability for Chinese encroachment and influence peddling, and the Cook Islands is following in the footsteps of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in signing strategic deals...
World News | China Irks NZ as Its Influence Spreads in the South Pacific
Latestly
·
June 23, 2025
Hong Kong, June 23 (ANI): The Pacific Islands are considered a point of vulnerability for Chinese encroachment and influence peddling, and the Cook Islands is following in the footsteps of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in signing strategic deals...
Faith over fear: Pastor Bobby Matapo’s miraculous journey
Cook Island News
·
June 28, 2025
Pastor Tevai “Bobby” Matapo was diagnosed with myeloma cancer. Since returning home in April 2023 from gruelling treatment in New Zealand he threw out his medication. He solely relies in his deep belief in receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and...
Mark Brown slams New Zealand for its 'patronising approach' over China deal
RNZ
·
June 19, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: Tiana Haxton 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...
My Perspective: Should NZ start treating Pacific nations like partners and not dependents?
Pacific Media Network
·
One of the big headlines last week was that New Zealand was pausing over $18 million in development assistance planned for the Cook Islands' 2025-2026 financial year. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand's decision to pause...
Kuoni: “Shipwreck” among the 20 most heavenly beaches in the world
Tornos News
·
July 1, 2025
A Greek beach is among the top 20 in the world, most frequently described by travelers as “paradise”. According to a survey conducted by luxury vacation travel company Kuoni, Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos is 8th in the global ranking of beaches...