Australia
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.
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.
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.
Aussie swimmers soak up local culture at Cook Islands Games opening
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Regional, Sports, Swimming
A group of Australian swimmers from Bondi Beach, known as the “4 Seasons Swim”, have arrived in Rarotonga just in time for the 2024 Cook Islands Games. Fourteen swimmers from the visiting group arrived with the goal of swimming and experiencing the beautiful oceans of the Cook Islands. Last night, they were at the National […]
Aussie nursing students get a tropical dose of healthcare
Wednesday 20 March 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, Health, National, Regional
Eight University of South Australia Bachelor of Nursing third-year students are visiting Rarotonga for a two-week study programme, immersing themselves in a different culture, a different health setting, and acquiring unique experiences.
Parliament of Western Australia tours Te Kukupa II
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional
The Parliament of Western Australia delegation visiting Rarotonga were delighted to take a tour on Te Kukupa II yesterday morning before leaving the island in the afternoon.
Western Australia gifts symbolic tables to Cook Islands Parliament
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional
The two “Table of the House” tables gifted by the Parliament of Western Australia (WA) were officially handed over to Cook Islands Parliament yesterday morning.
PM calls for defence and security arrangement with Australia and NZ
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Australia, Economy, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown has proposed a trilateral defence and security co-operation arrangement between the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Australia.
Indigenous Voice Referendum: ‘Constitutional change in Australia is challenging’
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Australia, Local, National, Regional
Australia has responded with a resounding no to a referendum seeking to change its Constitution and give indigenous people a voice. A Cook Islands voter says the result is deeply saddening.
Eligible Cook Islanders invited to vote in Aussie referendum to recognise First Peoples of Australia
Tuesday 10 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Australia, Economy, National, Regional
Cook Islanders holding Australian passport are being called on to vote today in a controversial referendum which seeks to recognise the First Peoples of Australia.
Australian Governor-General arrives in the Cook Islands
Tuesday 27 June 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Australia, Economy, National, Regional
Australia Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, and his delegation arrived in Rarotonga yesterday morning on an official visit to the Cook Islands. SUPPLIED
Cooks and Aussies sign ‘milestone’ agreement
Wednesday 19 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Australia, National, Politics, Regional
A “milestone” agreement has been signed by Prime Minister Mark Brown and Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, but no money exchanged.
Australia's Foreign Minister visits Solomon Islands
Friday 17 June 2022 | Written by RNZ | Published in Australia, Regional
The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong arrived a short while ago at the Solomon Islands Prime Minister's office in Honiara.
Pacific security should be a matter for 'Pacific family' - Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
Thursday 16 June 2022 | Written by RNZ | Published in Australia, Regional
Australia should be more engaged in the Pacific, something the previous government failed to do sufficiently, says Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Australia's pledge on climate change action in the Pacific
Thursday 2 June 2022 | Written by RNZ | Published in Australia, Regional
Australia's Foreign Minister has pledged Australia's commitment to taking stronger action on climate after meeting with Samoa's Prime Minister in Apia.
Canberra called on to rein in mining companies eyeing Bougainville
Wednesday 1 June 2022 | Written by RNZ | Published in Australia, Regional
An advocacy group says as international mining companies eye starting operations in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville, Canberra must take action.
Australia promises the Pacific a new look
Tuesday 24 May 2022 | Written by RNZ | Published in Australia, Regional
Australia's newly sworn-in foreign minister, Penny Wong, says the new Labor Government 'will be a generous, respectful and reliable member of the Pacific family.'
Abused RSE workers in Australia too afraid to speak out
Monday 16 May 2022 | Written by RNZ | Published in Australia, Regional
Pacific female seasonal workers in Australia are more likely to experience sexual harassment and abuse but aren't able to speak out for fear of losing their job.
Call for Australia to allow Pacific diaspora to grow
Friday 29 April 2022 | Written by RNZ | Published in Australia, Regional
An aid development economist says Canberra should focus less on Pacific aid and more on providing a migration pathway into Australia from the region.
