Regional
Māori MP draws parallels between Cook Islands protest and Māori concerns
Thursday 20 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says Cook Islanders’ protest against their government over key decisions resonate with the feelings of New Zealand Māori in Aotearoa “with a lot of decisions being made about us, without us”.
PM: Cook Islands passport no longer being pursued
Wednesday 19 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown has reaffirmed that the controversial Cook Islands passport proposal is no longer being pursued and has assured the public that the country’s relationship with New Zealand remains strong.
PM emphasises ‘mutual’ relationship with NZ
Tuesday 18 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Parliament, Politics, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is looking forward to his next discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon “in due course” to promote and strengthen the countries’ collaboration while recognising and respecting the sovereign status of both countries.
China deal won’t raise concerns, says PM
Monday 17 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown is ‘confident’ there will be no areas of concern with the agreement the Cook Islands has signed with China once the documents are available to the public ‘very shortly’. Rashneel Kumar reports.
Auckland Rainbow Parade: Destiny Church members disrupt march
Sunday 16 February 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional
Members of Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church broke through police barricades and disrupted the rainbow parade in central Auckland on Saturday.
Brutal killings of women in PNG spark outrage and calls for action
Sunday 16 February 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in Papua New Guinea, Regional
Warning: This story discusses graphic details of violence against women. Papua New Guinea is reeling from the separate killings of two women in acts of extreme violence last week, prompting renewed calls for urgent action to address the country's epidemic of gender-based violence.
Commentators warn of Cooks-New Zealand diplomatic breakdown
Tuesday 11 February 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in New Zealand, Regional
International relations expert Geoffrey Miller and former National MP and minister Alfred Ngaro offer insights into the escalating tensions between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
PM Brown ‘should be taken at his word’ on China deal: Mahuta
Tuesday 11 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
New Zealand’s former foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta says the Cook Islands Prime Minister “should be taken at his word” that the comprehensive agreement he’s signing with China will not affect the constitutional arrangements with New Zealand.
Cook Islands Cabinet backs China deal, Prime Minister Brown
Tuesday 11 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
Cook Islands Cabinet Ministers have confidence in Prime Minister Mark Brown’s leadership and have endorsed the comprehensive strategic agreement the country will sign with China this week. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Cook Islands ‘failed to properly consult’ on China deal, says New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister
Saturday 8 February 2025 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
The diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand over the China deal the Cook Islands is set to sign in the coming week continues despite brief talks over the phone between the leaders from the two countries.
Cook Islands, NZ reaffirm strong ties on Waitangi Day celebration
Saturday 8 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Features, New Zealand, Regional, Weekend
New Zealand and the Cook Islands commemorated Waitangi Day and the Cook Islands' 60th anniversary of self-governance on Thursday, highlighting their unique bond and dedication to navigating the future together through continued partnership and respect, despite issues surrounding the now abandoned proposed passport and the upcoming China agreement.
Visitors ready for football challenge
Friday 7 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in American Samoa, Football, Regional, Samoa, Sports
As the Cook Islands Football Association gears up to host the 2025 OFC Men’s Champions League Qualifying Stage, one of the visiting teams is determined to win, as they feel at home in Rarotonga.
Australia and Cook Islands to sign MoU, strengthen maritime security partnership
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Economy, National, Regional
Cook Islands and Australia are in the process of finalising an enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will strengthen Australia’s support for Te Kukupa II operations and bolster regional security efforts.
Australia commits to ongoing collaboration with Cooks on transnational crime threats
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Crime, Economy, National, Regional
Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Phoebe Smith is confident that through the Te Kukupa II maritime patrol vessel, Cook Islands with the support from Australia can tackle transnational crimes such as drug trafficking.
New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit, says Kiribati
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in Kiribati, New Zealand, Regional
The Kiribati government, has for the first time, commented on its diplomatic rift with Aotearoa, stating that the "New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit".
Cook Islanders share stories of friendship with Australia
Monday 3 February 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, Features, Local, National, Regional, Weekend
The strong and growing relationship between Australia and the Cook Islands has been amplified by the stories of Cook Islanders who have lived and thrived in Australia.
War on drugs: Fiji soldiers may be deployed to assist police, says Govt
Thursday 30 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Fiji, Regional
Fiji’s government has announced that military personnel may soon join police in addressing the country’s drug crisis.
Balancing tourism and culture
Thursday 30 January 2025 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Art, Australia, Features, Regional, Weekend
Cook Islands Tourism’s transparent, inclusive and practical planning public consultation which explored the challenges and opportunities tourism brings in all areas of wellbeing, drew a good number of community members.
NZ’s ‘diplomatic tiff’ with Kiribati could push it closer to China: Expert
Tuesday 28 January 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in Kiribati, New Zealand, Regional
The New Zealand government’s decision to review its development aid in Kiribati has “all the hallmarks of a diplomatic tiff” and could “push away” the Micronesian island nation closer to China, a regional political commentator says.
Drop in NCEA level 1 success partly due to new requirements
Saturday 18 January 2025 | Written by RNZ | Published in New Zealand, Regional
Half the teens who failed NCEA level 1 did so only because of new literacy and numeracy requirements.