AGP Executive Report

Regional Politics: Mark Brown is set to return as Cook Islands Prime Minister after the 2026 election, with the Cook Islands Party winning 13 of 24 seats and a potential 19-seat majority boosted by six independents. Ocean Science & Governance: The U.S. NOAA Ocean Exploration mission aboard Okeanos Explorer has begun a 29-day deep-sea mapping and ROV dive program near American Samoa and the Cook Islands, with scientists aiming to build baselines for deep-sea habitats and critical minerals—while a November 19 lease auction looms before data becomes public. Fisheries Leadership: Pamela Maru, Cook Islands Marine Resources Secretary, has been appointed as the first Cook Islander to an executive role at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, resigning in December to start as Deputy Director-General in January 2027. Marine Protection & Knowledge: Cook Islands workshops are exploring how Traditional Knowledge can shape Marine Spatial Planning, with discussions on whether TK should lead alongside science and law. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: A local environmental group criticises an upcoming U.S. scientist attachment to the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, raising concerns about Washington’s commercial push for ocean minerals. Wayfinding Culture: Hawaiian Pwo navigator Archie Kalepa was inducted, highlighting continued Polynesian navigation leadership without modern instruments.

Deep-Sea Science & Policy: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer has left Rarotonga for a 29-day mission mapping deep waters near American Samoa, using ROV dives and telepresence so the public can watch live—while a November 19, 2026 lease auction looms before dive data is publicly archived. Seabed Mining Tensions: A local environmental group is questioning an upcoming U.S. scientist attachment to the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, amid concerns about Washington’s commercial push for critical ocean minerals. Regional Fisheries Tech: Cook Islands representatives joined the Pacific Tuna Commission science committee in Apia, covering tuna stock assessments, bycatch management, and electronic monitoring—key inputs for sustainable management. Marine Planning with Traditional Knowledge: Cook Islands workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia are exploring how Traditional Knowledge can guide marine spatial planning, including whether it should lead while science and law support. Regional Leadership Moves: Pamela Maru resigns as Marine Resources head to become Deputy Director-General at the FFA in January 2027, and three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in to lead major ministries. Diplomacy & Ocean Cooperation: The U.S. ambassador met Cook Islands PM Mark Brown to discuss ocean science and maritime security, signaling closer practical cooperation.

Deep-Sea Mining Race: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer has just wrapped a 26-day mapping mission in the Cook Islands’ EEZ, running 14 ROV dives, collecting 400+ samples and finding 23+ biological specimens that may be new to science—at a moment when the US is pushing ahead with deep-sea mineral ambitions. Governance & Public Access: A separate NOAA report highlights the policy gap: live dive streams are public, but key data may not land in public archives until after major leasing decisions. Regional Pressure on Costs: Pacific MPs are split over a proposed 4% council rates cap, with Labour open to caps but warning councils still need funding for roads, pipes, rubbish and community services. Marine Protection Pathways: A push for “Blue Corridors” argues that protecting connected migration routes across borders matters more than isolated marine parks. Local Leadership Moves: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in to key ministries, including Finance and Treasury, Police/National Security, and Culture and Tourism. Deep-Sea Data Collaboration: ISA–China training opened a new track for deep-sea biodiversity data analysis, including work involving Cook Islands seabed mineral research.

Council Rates Debate: Pacific opposition MPs are split over the Government’s proposed four per cent cap on annual council rates rises, with Labour open to caps but warning councils still need funding for roads, pipes, rubbish collection and community services, while the Greens fear the cap could squeeze basic services amid ongoing cost-of-living pressure. Deep-Sea Research vs Mining Pressure: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer has been mapping and exploring deep waters around the Pacific, including a 26-day Cook Islands expedition that completed 14 remotely operated vehicle dives, gathered 400+ samples, and collected 23+ biological specimens that may be new to science—raising fresh questions as deep-sea mineral interest and governance timelines lag behind public access to data. Regional Ocean Protection Push: Pacific leaders are gearing up for upcoming diplomacy (including the Pacific Islands Forum), with advocates urging connected marine protection “Blue Corridors” that safeguard migratory pathways across borders and the high seas. Government Appointments: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in to key Cook Islands ministries—Finance and Treasury, Police/National Security/Corrections, and Culture and Tourism—tasked with delivering national priorities and strengthening fiscal discipline and transparency. Cook Islands at Tuna Science Talks: Cook Islands representatives attended the WCPFC Scientific Committee session in Apia, feeding local and regional fisheries science into decisions ahead of December negotiations. SBMA Deep-Sea Data Collaboration: An ISA–China joint training centre opened, inviting research proposals, including work involving Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority researchers on deep-sea biodiversity data analysis. Marine Planning with Traditional Knowledge: Workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia explored how Traditional Knowledge can shape Marine Spatial Planning, with discussion on whether TK should guide marine management alongside legislation and scientific research.

Deep-Sea Research vs Mining Access: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer completed a 26-day ROV mission in the Cook Islands’ western EEZ, logging 14 dives, 400+ samples, and new biological finds—while US deep-sea mineral ambitions raise questions about how quickly seabed data will reach the public and inform decisions. Ocean Protection Diplomacy: Pacific leaders are lining up for major climate and ocean talks (Palau, then Fiji/Tuvalu ahead of COP31), with “Blue Corridors” pushing connected marine protection across borders and the high seas. Local Governance Appointments: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in to key ministries, including Finance and Treasury, Police/National Security, and Culture and Tourism—moves expected to shape policy delivery and accountability. Fisheries Science in the Region: Cook Islands representatives attended WCPFC/Pacific Tuna Commission science talks in Apia, feeding local and regional data into tuna management work. Marine Knowledge Planning: Workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia explored how Traditional Knowledge can guide Marine Spatial Planning alongside legislation and science. SBMA US Attachment Backlash: A US scientist placement at the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority has sparked criticism from a local environmental group over potential conflicts with mineral interests. Leadership Change in Marine Resources: Pamela Maru resigned as Marine Resources head, effective Dec 11, 2026, to take a senior fisheries role with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency.

Government Appointments: Acting Governor-General Sir Albert Rocky Palmer has sworn in three new Permanent Secretaries—David Teika Dennis to Finance and Treasury, Trevor Unusu to Police, National Security and Correctional Services, and Bunyan Sivoro reappointed to Culture and Tourism—urging strong leadership, public service values, and delivery on national priorities. Deep-Sea Research: NOAA’s 26-day Okeanos Explorer expedition in the Cook Islands EEZ used remotely operated dives to map seamounts and plains, collect 400+ samples, and confirm “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields, adding new marine life specimens and a baseline for future ocean decisions. Ocean Governance & Data: The ISA–China Joint Training Center is inviting research proposals focused on deep-sea biological data analysis and management, including work tied to the Cook Islands’ Seabed Minerals Authority and biodiversity assessment efforts. Marine Policy & Culture: Workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia explored how Traditional Knowledge can shape Marine Spatial Planning, with discussion on whether TK should guide marine management alongside legislation and science. Regional Fisheries Science: Cook Islands representatives attended WCPFC Scientific Committee talks in Apia, covering tuna stock assessments and fisheries technology, including electronic monitoring and bycatch management.

Deep-Sea Research Push: The ISA–China Joint Training Center is inviting mixed research consortia (including Cook Islands institutions) to propose work on deep-sea biological data analysis, species identification tools, and habitat model validation using ISA’s DeepData and other public taxonomic sources. Tuna Science in Action: Cook Islands representatives joined the WCPFC (Pacific Tuna Commission) Scientific Committee session in Apia, feeding local fisheries data into regional decisions on tuna stocks, bycatch, observer programmes, and electronic monitoring. Ocean Minerals Debate: A local environmental group is questioning an upcoming U.S. scientist attachment to the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, citing concerns about Washington’s commercial interest in critical ocean minerals. Marine Leadership Change: Pamela Maru has resigned as Ministry of Marine Resources Secretary to become Deputy Director-General at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. Traditional Knowledge & Planning: Workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia explored how Traditional Knowledge can shape Marine Spatial Planning, with discussion on whether TK should lead while science and law support it. NOAA Expedition Results: A 26-day ROV expedition with NOAA returned with new seabed mapping, biological samples, and findings pointing to rich polymetallic nodule fields in the Cook Islands EEZ. Diplomacy & Ocean Science: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly met PM Mark Brown to discuss closer cooperation, including ocean science and maritime security. Regional Security Tech: Tonga and New Zealand’s anti-drug surveillance push in Vavaʻu still leaves suspected packages unexplained, with Tonga Police yet to disclose what was in recovered items. Undersea Cable Risk: A new Congressional Research Service report says Russian submarines have surveyed undersea infrastructure around the UK, framed by officials as hybrid warfare.

Court Tech in Action: New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice says vehicle scanning tech has driven a “clampdown,” recovering $4.2m in outstanding fines—since devices were introduced, over 750 vehicles have been clamped, 185 sold at auction, and 400+ seized, with 9198 number plates scanned and 224 people identified; on one day alone, 11 seized, 64 clamped, and 38 bailiffs deployed across major cities. Ocean Science & Sovereignty: NOAA’s 26-day ROV expedition in the Cook Islands’ EEZ logged 14 dives, 400+ samples, and 23+ biological specimens, while also mapping seabed areas and confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields—aimed at building a baseline for local decisions as deep-sea mining debates heat up. Traditional Knowledge Meets Marine Planning: Cook Islands workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia explored how Traditional Knowledge can guide Marine Spatial Planning, with participants arguing TK should lead while legislation and research support rather than replace customary values. Humanitarian Law Push: Cook Islands officials joined a Pacific roundtable in Brisbane to strengthen domestic implementation of international humanitarian law and revive national coordination. Diplomacy & Tech Links: The U.S. ambassador met PM Mark Brown to discuss ocean science, maritime security, and practical cooperation.

Court Tech in Action: New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice says vehicle scanning tech has helped recover $4.2m in overdue fines, with 400 vehicles seized, 750 clamped and 185 sold at auction since the devices launched; a recent clampdown paired 38 bailiffs across major cities, scanning 9,198 plates and identifying 224 people, with 38 paying on the spot. Marine Science & Sovereignty: NOAA’s 26-day ROV expedition in the Cook Islands’ EEZ returned to Rarotonga after 14 dives, 400+ samples, and 23+ biological specimens, while also mapping deep-sea areas and confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields—fueling the debate over future seabed minerals. Traditional Knowledge Meets Planning: Cook Islands workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia explored how Traditional Knowledge can guide Marine Spatial Planning, with participants arguing TK should shape the framework while legislation and research complement customary values. Diplomacy with a Tech Angle: The U.S. ambassador met PM Mark Brown to discuss closer cooperation including ocean science and maritime security, and India’s envoy update also shows continued regional diplomatic cross-accreditation involving the Cook Islands. Humanitarian Law Push: Cook Islands representatives joined a Pacific roundtable in Brisbane to strengthen domestic implementation of international humanitarian law and revive national coordination.

Court Tech in Action: New Zealand’s Justice Ministry says vehicle enforcement tech has helped recover $4.2m in overdue fines, with 750 vehicles clamped, 185 sold at auction, and 400+ seized since the devices were introduced. Marine Planning & Culture: Cook Islands workshops in Rarotonga and Mangaia are exploring how Traditional Knowledge can guide Marine Spatial Planning, including whether TK should lead while science and law support it. Deep-Sea Research: NOAA’s 26-day ROV expedition in the Cook Islands EEZ mapped seabed areas, collected 400+ samples, and found “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields, with some specimens possibly new to science. Ocean Science Diplomacy: The U.S. Ambassador met Cook Islands PM Mark Brown to discuss closer cooperation on ocean science and maritime security. Humanitarian Law: Cook Islands officials joined a Pacific roundtable in Brisbane to strengthen domestic implementation of international humanitarian law and revive national coordination. Diplomatic Moves: India’s High Commissioner to NZ, Muanpuii Saiawi, is also set to take up concurrent accreditation as High Commissioner to Niue.

Ocean Research & Sovereignty: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer wrapped a 26-day ROV mission in the Cook Islands EEZ, running 14 dives, collecting 400+ samples, and turning up 23+ biological specimens that may be new to science—plus “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields and high-density mineral deposits, feeding a local baseline for ocean decisions. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: The findings land as the wider Pacific weighs whether to allow deep seabed mining, with scientists stressing ecosystems don’t follow borders. Maritime Security Tech: Months after Tonga and New Zealand expanded anti-drug cooperation (including maritime surveillance funding), suspected Vavaʻu packages reportedly washed ashore in June, but Tonga Police still haven’t confirmed what was in them or whether they were tested. Humanitarian Law: Cook Islands reaffirmed its commitment to international humanitarian law at a Pacific roundtable in Brisbane, pledging stronger domestic coordination and a revived national committee. Diplomacy & Cooperation: The U.S. Ambassador met PM Mark Brown to discuss ocean science, maritime security, and practical ways to deepen bilateral ties. Regional Climate Capacity: A Samoan student won a Tower Climate Change Scholarship to study climate change at the University of Waikato, with plans to return home to tackle Pacific impacts.

Ocean Science & Sovereignty: NOAA’s 26-day ROV expedition in the Cook Islands EEZ wrapped up in Rarotonga with 14 dives, 400+ samples, and new mapping plus biological finds—some possibly new to science—while also confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields, feeding the wider Pacific debate over deep-sea mining. Bilateral Tech & Security: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly met caretaker PM Mark Brown to push closer U.S–Cook Islands cooperation, including ocean science, maritime security, and economic opportunities. Humanitarian Law: Cook Islands officials joined a Brisbane roundtable of Pacific states and Red Cross partners to strengthen international humanitarian law at home, including plans to revive the national coordination committee. Policy & Environment: A Natural Environment Bill legislative statement and second reading in New Zealand highlighted moves to cut compliance costs while keeping the core planning system intact—relevant for regional environmental governance discussions. Diplomacy: India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muanpuii Saiawi, was concurrently accredited as High Commissioner to Niue, with earlier concurrent accreditation to the Cook Islands. Research in the Region: Japanese archaeologists began a first research visit to Nassau, using excavation and local oral histories to explore plantation-era timelines. Governance & Long-Term Planning: A Pacific youth advocate backed a Future Generations Act, arguing it must be written with young Pacific voices, not just for them.

Humanitarian Law Push: Cook Islands reaffirmed its commitment to international humanitarian law at a Brisbane roundtable, pledging to strengthen domestic policies and restart its national coordination committee, with Red Cross and MFAI representatives joining 12 Pacific countries and ICRC partners. Ocean Science & Sovereignty: A 26-day NOAA ROV expedition in the western Cook Islands mapped seabed areas and collected 400+ samples, including 23+ biological specimens, while confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields—data meant to support ocean management and inform deep-sea mining debates. Diplomatic Moves: India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muanpuii Saiawi, has been concurrently accredited to Niue (residing in Wellington), and the U.S. ambassador met PM Mark Brown to discuss closer cooperation on ocean science, maritime security, and economic opportunities. Policy & Environment: The Natural Environment Bill advanced in legislative statements/second reading, aiming to improve certainty and cut compliance costs while reshaping environmental management. Research in Nassau: A Japanese team visited Nassau to explore plantation history and oral accounts, using student-led excavation and potential charcoal testing to date layers.

U.S.–Cook Islands ties: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly met caretaker PM Mark Brown to discuss deeper cooperation on ocean science, maritime security, and economic opportunities, arguing distance shouldn’t limit Pacific partnership. Deep-sea research push: NOAA’s 26-day Okeanos Explorer mission in the Cook Islands EEZ completed 14 ROV dives, gathering 400+ samples and mapping seamounts and plains, with officials highlighting “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule findings and new marine life that could shape future ocean management and sovereignty decisions. Future generations law: Youth advocate Tyler Oroanu backs a Future Generations Act but says it must be written with young Pacific voices, as a survey shows strong public support across political lines. Maritime fraud warning: Kyrgyz Republic warned the IMO about false-flag misuse tied to its shipping register efforts, urging member states to prevent unauthorized use of its state flag. Regional science diplomacy: Japanese researchers visited Nassau to excavate plantation layers and use oral histories to help date sites, training local students in the process.

Deep-Sea Science & Sovereignty: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer wrapped a 26-day ROV expedition in the Cook Islands EEZ, running 14 dives, collecting 400+ samples, and mapping seamounts and abyssal plains—while confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields and finding high-density mineral deposits, with some specimens possibly new to science. Local Impact & Policy Pressure: Researchers say the biological baseline can help communities make ocean resource decisions, but the findings land amid wider Pacific debate over whether deep-sea mining should proceed. Election & Tech-Adjacent Geopolitics: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown is set for another term after the election, despite a row with New Zealand over China-linked deals that include seabed mineral research—an issue voters weighed alongside cost-of-living concerns. Archaeology in Nassau: A Japanese team made its first research visit to Nassau, excavating a plantation site with students and using charcoal testing plans to date layers tied to oral histories of Te Tini voyagers. Governance & Environment (NZ): New Zealand’s Natural Environment Bill advanced to second reading, aiming to cut compliance costs while keeping the core planning system architecture.

Deep-Sea Science in the Cook Islands: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer wrapped a 26-day ROV mission in the western Cook Islands, running 14 dives, collecting 400+ samples and 23+ biological specimens (some possibly new to science) while mapping seamounts, abyssal plains and the Manihiki Plateau—data meant to support local ocean management and help communities weigh deep-seabed mineral decisions. Seabed Mining Stakes: The expedition’s findings land amid rising regional debate over polymetallic nodules and whether deep-sea mining should proceed, with new mineral field reports adding fuel to sovereignty and environmental concerns. Regional Tech Diplomacy: At COP17’s Bureau meeting, parties—including the Cook Islands—took stock of science and technology work tied to land degradation and drought, and discussed future cooperation. Local Politics Meets Tech Policy: Cook Islands election coverage highlights how voters are weighing China ties and seabed mineral research alongside cost-of-living issues, while New Zealand’s Natural Environment Bill advances through a second reading aimed at cutting compliance costs and improving environmental planning implementation. Pacific Climate Skills: A Samoan student won a University of Waikato climate scholarship, underscoring growing Pacific demand for practical climate training.