Cook Islands dance connects cultures at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2025

The world’s largest Cook Islands festival kicks off in Tāmaki Makaurau this Friday, celebrating culture and heritage for everyone, Kūki or not. Modeled on the original festival in Rarotonga, Te Maeva Nui NZ (TMNNZ) engages communities from across...

Political Divide Deepens Over Seabed Mining in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands should be allowed to “make their own choices” and “have a right to their own future development” in terms of seabed mining, according to former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Deep-sea mining was a subject at a panel...

Pacific Growth to Accelerate in 2025 on Resource Strength — ADB

Economic growth in the Pacific is expected to pick up next year, buoyed by strong resource output in Papua New Guinea (PNG), according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2025, released on 6 October by the Asian Development Bank...

Pacific islands bound by climate change, divided by deep-sea mining: Nauru…

“The climate crisis is not up for debate,” Micronesian President Wesley Simina said. “The only question is whether we will act with the urgency it demands.” Pacific island leaders agreed. At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly...

Farmers in Rarotonga adapt to climate change, Regional Research Agenda's research reveals

Farmers in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, are already taking steps to adapt to the changing climate, according to a recent study titled Aka’tika Uira (Realign the Wheel): An analysis of the climate adaptation methods adopted by farmers in Rarotonga,...

E/V Nautilus arrives in the Cook Islands

On Friday, the exploration vessel (E/V) Nautilus arrives in the Cook Islands for the first time. Owned and operated by the U.S-based non-profit organisation Ocean Exploration Trust (OET), the 68-meter vessel specialises in scientific exploration...

Pacific Islands focus: health and gender inequities, climate updates, and some hope for marine biodiversity

Introduction by Croakey: In breaking news on Thursday, Papua New Guinea’s cabinet has approved a landmark defence agreement with Australia. PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape said the agreement, known as the PukPuk treaty, “will elevate the two...

Pacific islands bound by climate change, divided by deep-sea mining: Nauru swimming against the tide

Deep-sea mining equipment. Photo courtesy of Impossible Metals “The climate crisis is not up for debate,” Micronesian President Wesley Simina said. “The only question is whether we will act with the urgency it demands.” Pacific island leaders...

New Zealand Is Pulling Aid From the Cook Islands

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, United Kingdom — The relationship between the Pacific Island nation of the Cook Islands and New Zealand has historically been strong. Cook Islanders are entitled to New Zealand passports and residency, with the model of “free...

Controversial Cook Islands seabed mining plan gets backing from former Australia PM Scott Morrison

Speaking on a panel discussion on the Pacific Islands at the Impact Week conference in Singapore last Friday, the conservative politician acknowledged that deep-sea mining was controversial but said Cook Islands should be allowed to “make their...

Sink or swim: Can island states survive the climate crisis?

Small island nations across the world are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, and their problems have been accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected their economies, and their capacity to protect themselves from...

NZDF Throws Weight Into Cook Islands Infrastructure Work

Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force The Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules delivered the main body of personnel from 25 Engineer Support Squadron, 2 Engineer Regiment (2ER) on Monday, local time. The NZDF’s Exercise Tropic Twilight...

How China became a wedge between New Zealand and the Cook Islands

Even after the two countries’ leaders met face to face last week at a regional forum, there has been no sign of a breakthrough. “It was a serious change when they entered those arrangements with China, and we knew nothing of it,” New Zealand’s...

Cook Islands Coach pleased with team’s progress in Fiji

[File Photo] The Cook Islands cricket team is adapting well to the conditions and atmosphere in Fiji for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier. Head coach Dan Vann shared that the team is enjoying their time in Fiji, especially...

Drones and balloons cause wave of panic in Nato countries

At Munich airport, staff spent two nights laying out hundreds of camp beds and air mattresses for passengers whose bank holiday flights had been cancelled. More than 700 miles away to the northeast, hundreds of people were grounded at Vilnius...

NZDF To Lead Multi-National Engineering Team In Cook Islands

Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force The exercise is funded each year in the Southwest Pacific by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is delivered by the NZDF. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) will lead a multi-national effort...

PM Brown to ensure Cook Islands voice is clear and constructive at Forum Leaders’ Meeting

Prime Minister Mark Brown welcomed at the Honiara International Airport in Solomon Islands. PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM/25090709/25090710 This year’s theme for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Honiara Solomon Islands, “Iumi Tugeda: Act...

Letters to the Editor | October 5, 2025

Ratu Asaeli’s pursuit! Ratu Asaeli Eden Uaniceva Vosavakadua, 23, whose inspirational story hit the People column (FT: 04/10), had an enriching, simple yet profound message for environmentalists, “Do not limit yourself to the four walls of your...

Family’s battle with council over noisy heat pump reaches Environment Court

“The children are also cold when they get up each morning.” While the notice has now been cancelled and the Smiths are again able to heat their home at night, it was a challenge for the family to reach that point. The court’s recently released...

UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment and Geography MCQs on Chabahar port, Galathea Bay and more (Week 128)

UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Environment and Geography...