Cook Islands reportedly dropping separate passport idea, Winston Peters ‘blindsided’ by China move

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor The Foreign Affairs Minister’s office is aware of media reporting suggesting the Cook Islands has backed down from its controversial proposal to introduce its own passport, an initiative that threatened to shake the island state’s relationship with New Zealand. It comes as Peters also expressed shock on Friday morning that…

Read More

Cook Islands PM Critiques New Zealand’s Oversight Demands in China Agreement

Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands has expressed concerns that New Zealand is requesting excessive oversight regarding their upcoming agreement with China, which is set to be finalized in Beijing next week. In a recent statement, Brown emphasized that the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is reciprocal. He pointed out…

Read More

ADB assists Cook Islands healthcare

Tusi Tala, Staff Writer The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has entered into a grant agreement worth US$2 million with the government of the Cook Islands aimed at enhancing health screening capabilities at the nation’s airports. According to Cook Islands News, the funding will be utilized to upgrade health screening equipment that is essential during public…

Read More

Climate crisis erodes Cook Islands’ cultural identity, women’s council head tells ICJ

by Martin Haffner Associate Editor Cook Islands has highlighted the impact of climate change on cultural heritage, particularly for women, during its historic participation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in a landmark climate change case. The hearings which began earlier this month is examining what countries worldwide are legally required to do…

Read More