Cook Islands China deal riles allies as West's grip loosens

Katy WatsonPacific correspondent ShareSave The remote and resource-rich Cook Islands has antagonised old allies over a deal with China The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty and his signing of a range of deals...

Empowering health: Pa Enua women attend mammogram screenings in Raro

Pukapuka women at the Rarotonga hospital who have acknowledged the Foundation’s support in organising the much-needed screening programme. About 35 women from Nassau and Pukapuka, were at the clinic from 8am to 12pm. Around 1500 women are...

US tariff affects Cook Islands Super fund

In one of his final acts, Pope Francis cleared the way for Papua New Guinea to get its first saint — an anti-polygamy preacher who died in prison during Japan’s World War II occupation. The late pontiff confided to religious leaders in the Pacific...

'Danger to life' warning issued as two deadly diseases detected at popular holiday destination

By JOWENA RILEY Published: 08:29 EDT, 22 July 2025 | Updated: 08:29 EDT, 22 July 2025 A health alert has been issued for British tourists travelling to a popular European destination this summer as two potentially fatal diseases have been...

Cook Islands to seal partnership with China as NZ bristles

Cook Islands to seal partnership with China as NZ bristles by AFP Staff Writers Sydney (AFP) Feb 6, 2025 The Cook Islands prime minister will agree on a plan for a strategic partnership with China on a state visit starting Monday, his office has...

Cook Islands signs strategic agreement with China

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown completed a week-long state visit to China on February 14, signing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to boost relations with Beijing. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks during a plenary...

Youth MP calls for culturally inclusive mental health reforms for Pacific rangatahi

Youth MP Taiko Edwards-Haruru says mainstream mental health systems are failing Māori and Pasifika youth. He is calling for reforms that are culturally-grounded and responsive to the needs of rangatahi before they reach crisis points. During Youth...

Cook Islanders rally to protect NZ citizenship, protest government decisions

Hundreds of Cook Islanders gathered in protest against the Government’s now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with China. TALAIA MIKA/25021734 As hundreds gathered in protest against the...

Cook Islands and China ink agreements, details pending

Cook Islands signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents with China following a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Brown and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday in Harbin, China. CCTV/25021401 Cook Islands signed a number of bilateral...

Aiming to lead Cook Islands to victory in Bali T20 tournament

Well-known Sumner cricket identity Dan Vann is heading to Indonesia this week as the head coach of the Cook Islands women’s team at the Bali Bash.“It’s pretty exciting,” Vann said. “It’s definitely cool to help out a smaller nation.” Among the...

Cook Islands’ century-long plan praised by UN as world-leading

United Nations Resident Coordinator Themba Kalua. 25021309 Cook Islands and its government have been commended for being one of the few nations in the world to craft a century-long strategic vision by the visiting United Nations Resident...

Cook Islands advocates for development funding reform

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration’s Amelia Fukofuka-Murare, right, with a fellow Cook Islands official in South Korea. MFAI/25021214. Cook Islands officials advocated for fairer development financing mechanisms, emphasising the need for...

Canada warns travelers of rising dengue cases in Philippines

October 30, 2025 | 11:47am MANILA, Philippines — The Government of Canada has advised its citizens traveling to the Philippines to exercise a “high degree of caution” following rising cases of dengue fever. In a health notice issued on October 27,...

Cook Islands, UN collaborate on sustainable development priorities

Minister for Foreign Affairs Tingika Elikana, middle, with UN Resident Coordinator, Themba Kalua, and members of the UN agencies and local participants. TALAIA MIKA/25021107 Cook Islands hosted one-day workshop aimed at enhancing the collaboration...

Health emergency: Dengue fever outbreak declared in Rarotonga, New Zealand

The Cook Islands government has officially declared a dengue fever outbreak in Rarotonga after confirming two new cases this week, bringing the total to seven within the past 18 days. This surpasses the outbreak threshold, prompting swift action...

Cook Islands’ ‘strategic’ deal with China angers New Zealand

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. The Cook Islands will this week sign a strategic agreement with China, in a move that has rattled the south Pacific...

Cook Islands crisis: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?

The Cook Islands finds itself in a precarious dance — one between the promises of foreign investments and the integrity of our own sovereignty. As the country sways between partners China and Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cook Islands News asks: “Do...

Cook Islands, NZ reaffirm strong ties on Waitangi Day celebration

Prime Minister Mark Brown, High Commissioner of Aotearoa New Zealand Catherine Graham, celebrate Te Tiriti o Waitangi and acknowledge the Cook Islands 60th anniversary of self-governance. MELINA ETCHES/25020701 New Zealand and the Cook Islands...

Cook Islands says it’s in talks with China on deep-sea mining

AFP 14 Feb, 2025 07:12 AM3 mins to read Subscribe to listen Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe now ‌ Save Share Share this article Copy Link Email Facebook Twitter/X LinkedIn Reddit...

Otago's Cook Islands community creates ‘home away from home’ for overseas students

The Cook Islands community in Otago is dedicated to making overseas students feel welcome and at home. On Sunday, Te Vaka Cook Islands of Dunedin organised a warm and heartfelt church service for young Cook Islanders and other Pacific students who...