US says it has started seabed mineral talks with the Cook Islands

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed minerals exploration and development, the State Department said on Tuesday. The Cook Islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii...

Greenpeace USA Condemns U.S.–Cook Islands Deep-Sea Mining Talks as Backdoor Push for Extraction

Greenpeace International activists peacefully confronted UK Royal Research Ship James Cook in the East Pacific waters as it returned from a seven-week long expedition to a section of the Pacific Ocean targeted for deep sea mining. An activist...

US begins talks with Cook Islands on seabed mining, gears up to compete with China

The U.S. has begun discussions with the Cook Islands on the exploration of seabed minerals within its waters, in a bid to catch up with China, which has previously clinched a similar deal with the island nation. “Together, we commit to advancing...

Deep sea-mining: Cook Islands signs US minerals deal

'Responsible development' The Cook Islands said Wednesday it had agreed to work with the United States on the "responsible development" of its seabed riches. What the US State Department said "Seabed minerals are critical for developing and...

Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister talks unemployment, Cook Islands, Road User Charges

The Prime Minister's blaming New Zealand's rising unemployment on the last Government's economic management. The rate's hit a five-year high of 5.2%, just shy of Treasury’s predicted 5.4%. Christopher Luxon told Kerre Woodham when inflation rises,...

Tonga aids Cook Islands reunion with MV Taka‑i‑Pomana

The Cook Islands PM acknowledged Tonga for its vessel support uniting island communities via the MV Taka‑i‑Pomana. In Rarotonga last week, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown met Tonga’s PM Dr Aisake Eke to strengthen regional cooperation ahead...

Cook Islands backs bold plastic treaty push to support growing national efforts

Halatoa Fua, Secretary of the National Environment Service with NES staff at the Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting – 25071816 The Cook Islands stands to gain significant international support to back up its growing national efforts to tackle...

The Cook Islands is already experiencing climate effects

Opinion by Mark Brown, Cook Islands Prime Minister It was my privilege to lead a delegation from the Cook Islands to Cop27, which was hosted by Egypt, at Sharm El Sheikh. Expectations of the delegation prior to leaving were of cautious optimism...

'Not ambitious': Cook Islands deep sea mining faces cultural backlash

An environmental advocate urges the Cook Islands to halt deep sea mining, warning it endangers the environment and the nation's cultural identity. The Cook Islands government is exploring the extraction of seabed minerals, aiming to capitalise on...

How the Cook Islands’ Proximity to China Stunned New Zealand

By Mridul Jha Since 1997, China has funded various public infrastructure projects on the Cook Islands, which include the Court House, the Ministry of Education, Apii Nikao primary school, and the Rarotonga ring main water system, in addition to...

Cook Islands Pocket Guide Launches Major Update Following Latest Research Trip

Cook Islands Pocket Guide, the leading online travel guide for the Cook Islands, has released a major update to its content following an in-depth research trip across Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu. The trip, carried out in March 2025, was made...

Climate change ruling a win for Cook Islands women – Wichman

Cook Islands has welcomed a landmark decision delivered by a top United Nations court allowing countries to sue other countries over climate change. The non-binding ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, on...

The Pacific island nation that wants to mine the ocean floor: Cook Islands explores US$4b mineral trove amid rising environmental concerns

RAROTONGA (Cook Islands), July 23 — A 1,000-tonne ship is exploring the far-flung South Pacific for riches buried beneath the waves, spearheading efforts to dredge the tropical waters for industrial deep-sea mining. Fringed by sparkling lagoons...

Trump’s support boosts deep-sea mining in Cook Islands by 2030

RAROTONGA: A leading deep-sea mining firm in the Cook Islands is targeting commercial production by 2030, buoyed by former US President Donald Trump’s endorsement of the controversial industry. Moana Minerals plans to extract polymetallic...

Cook Islands launches first-ever National Awards system: Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki   

Prime Minister Mark Brown. SUPPLIED. The Office of the Prime Minister is proud to announce the establishment of Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki: The Cook Islands National Awards, an historic milestone to recognise and honour outstanding service,...

Cook Islands unveils historic National Awards system

Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament this week. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/25062316 Cook Islands has established its own national awards system, Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki, to recognise outstanding service and achievement across all sectors of...

Cook Islands Prime Minister slams NZ aid freeze as ‘patronising’

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand’s decision to pause development aid is patronising and will harm the country’s most vulnerable citizens. In a ministerial statement to Parliament on Thursday (Cook Islands time), Brown...

Caught in the contest between China and the west, the Cook Islands asks where its future lies

On a remote stretch of land in the Cook Islands lies a second world war airstrip. Once used as a wartime supply route by American forces, the narrow runway is in dire need of resealing to allow larger tourist jets to land. Leaders on the northern...

Climate Science Digest: August 31, 2025

Explore the latest insights from top science journals in the Muser Press daily roundup (August 31, 2025), featuring impactful research on climate change challenges. When sharks lose their bite In the scientific journal Frontiers in Marine Science,...

Peters rejects claim Aotearoa funding freeze to Cook Islands is ‘patronising’

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo composite: Newsroom/25070713 New Zealand Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters rejects suggestions that pausing of development funding to the...