Pearl Culture: A remarkable achievement of Cotton University

Silpi Sikha Borah (The writer is a doctoral scholar and an ex-Cottonian from the Department of Zoology.) The Zoology Department of Cotton University, under the leadership of Dr Akalesh Kumar Verma, has been actively engaged in harvesting pearls...

Letter: Balancing global goals with local needs

Dear Editor, I was reading this article published on 20 August 2025 “Cook Islands disappointed over stalled global talks to combat plastic pollution” and I’m thinking, a plastic treaty, a noble idea, but where’s the economic balance? So, the Cook...

From lecture halls to Hawaiian waters: Auckland paddlers shine at world races

Pacific students from the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau (UoA) are making waves in global waters, representing both their cultures and campus in one of the world’s most prestigious outrigger canoe events, the Queen Lili’uokalani Canoe...

Europe Moves Toward Shadow Fleet Seizures

This year, some European port authorities began to require tangible proof of insurance and registry documentation. Finland, for example, implemented systematic checks in its exclusive economic zone on 11 December. The requirement applies to...

How Business Contracts Affect Your Finance and Growth: Key Insights for Success

Business contracts directly influence how business contracts affect your finance and growth. They affect cash flow, reduce risks, and support expansion. Learn how effective contract management can boost your financial stability and growth...

Jaishankar hosts FIPIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday hosted the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Forum for India–Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in New York. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was “delighted” to convene the gathering and...

Regional Workshop Speeds Up Tariff Commitments under PACER Plus

Customs officials from eight Pacific Island countries at the three-day Regional Workshop on Transposition of Tariff Commitments and Product-Specific Rules under PACER Plus in Apia, Samoa. APIA, Samoa – Customs officials from eight Pacific Island...

Guam petty officer helps combat illegal fishing in major Pacific operation

Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathalie Aviles of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam played a key role in a multinational operation that conducted 100 vessel boardings and identified 12 vessels of interest during a two-week mission to combat...

King’s Counsel Appointments 2025

Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointments of 12 King’s Counsel. The rank of King’s Counsel is primarily awarded to barristers sole who have met the overarching criteria of excellence in their careers, although some can be...

More children now obese than underweight for first time ever

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

Four Key Takeaways for Deep Sea Mining from the ICJ Advisory Opinion

Established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is responsible for administering resources in the Area, including regulating Deep Sea Mining (DSM) activities (art. 156 UNCLOS)....

The many ways we discover the hidden seabed

From the earliest voyages across uncharted waters, the ocean floor has stirred human curiosity. Despite breakthroughs on land and in space, the seabed remained one of Earth’s final frontiers. In 2017, only 6% of the global ocean floor was mapped...

NES staff enhance GIS skills

The hands-on workshop built skills in ArcGIS tools for mapping, data collection, and analysis, strengthening capacity for environmental monitoring, disaster risk reduction, and evidence-based decision-making across the Cook Islands.25052402 Staff...

Auckland Libraries unveils Lupe I Vao Ese

the exhibition features an extensive collection of measina - cultural treasures Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton Feature - Auckland Council Libraries latest exhibition Lupe I Vao Ese is a powerful and intimate celebration of Pacific cultural...

Letter: Airport explains CEO’s remote work

Dear Editor, We appreciate your letter dated 19th August 2025, regarding the governance and management practices of the Airport Authority Cook Islands (AACI) titled “AACI answers leave more questions”. It is vital for us to engage with our...

Partial solar eclipse 2025 to eerily dim the Sun today: How to watch it

A rare celestial event will unfold this Sunday as a partial solar eclipse coincides with a darkened appearance of the Moon, offering skywatchers in select regions a striking display. Unlike the dramatic total eclipse where the Moon completely...

Pacific health micro-course cultivates cultural competence and community support

Designed by Pacific people for Pacific people, a course at the University of Auckland aims to strengthen the support that frontline health workers provide to families, while also creating pathways for further studies. Now in its third year, the...

Partial solar eclipse 2025: Date, time, safe viewing tips and livestream details

On Monday morning, September 22 (local time), skywatchers in New Zealand, parts of Australia, several Pacific islands, and even Antarctica will catch a partial solar eclipse. Those in southern New Zealand are in the best position, with as much as...

PNG Golden Jubilee Attracts Unprecedented Global and Regional Support, PM Marape Calls for Continued Partnership

Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary saw an unprecedented gathering of regional and international leaders, underscoring the country’s growing diplomatic and economic significance on the global stage. Prime Minister James Marape hosted...

Mana Tiaki: Our heritage, our stand, our future

Mirella and Katoa of Arataki Organic Tours, an example of successful eco-tourism and regenerative agriculture. (Photo used with permission)/25081511 The Cook Islands’ recent agreements with China and the United States to conduct deep-sea mining...