AGP Executive Report

Overseas Voting: Cook Islands residents are among the Pacific voters casting ballots abroad in New Zealand’s 7 November election. Rarotonga business owner Glenda Tuaine says rising prices in New Zealand feed through to the Cook Islands, where goods rely on shipping and air freight. Regional Security: At a US–Pacific police ministers’ meeting, Assistant Minister Sonny Williams called for regional cooperation against transnational crime, including drug trafficking, cybercrime and illegal fishing. Climate Readiness: A new regional programme backed by a US$250 million Green Climate Fund grant will support climate-resilient infrastructure in the Cook Islands and 13 other Pacific nations. Mobile emergency alerts are also planned for the Cook Islands and eight other island countries. Domestic Priorities: The opposition is focusing on health, living costs and accountability, while Prime Minister Mark Brown has placed the Pa Enua at the centre of development. A letter to the editor welcomes immigration changes and urges clearer pathways for Cook Islanders returning with non-Cook Islander spouses and children.

Regional Security: Cook Islands urged Pacific-wide cooperation against transnational crime at a US–Pacific police ministers’ meeting, warning that illegal fishing and organised crime can use the same routes across its vast maritime zone. Parliament: The next sitting may not come until 2027, while opposition attention is on health, living costs and accountability. Emergency Readiness: A US$1.2 million programme will help bring mobile emergency alerts to the Cook Islands and eight other Pacific nations. Climate Outlook: Forecasters warn El Niño could be exceptionally strong into 2027, bringing drier-than-normal conditions to parts of the Pacific and raising risks for water, farming and essential services.

Cyclone Readiness: The South Pacific cyclone season begins November 1, with elevated activity forecast. A US$1.2 million regional programme will help introduce mobile emergency alerts in the Cook Islands and eight other Pacific nations. Climate Resilience: The Cook Islands is among 14 countries covered by a US$250 million Green Climate Fund grant for stronger infrastructure and essential services. Regional Relations: China’s new ambassador to New Zealand, also accredited to the Cook Islands, says Beijing aims to support climate action and economic development. Government Delivery: Prime Minister Mark Brown has urged Pa Enua administrators to speed up implementation and ensure outer-island priorities shape development spending. Parliamentary Watch: Parliament is unlikely to sit until 2027, while the opposition is focusing on health, living costs and accountability. Immigration: Recent amendments ease visitor rules and fees, but returning Cook Islanders with non-Cook Island spouses may still face hurdles.

Climate Preparedness: A regional climate programme worth US$1.06 billion, including a US$250 million Green Climate Fund grant, will support resilience projects in 14 Pacific countries, including the Cook Islands. Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño could bring unusually dry conditions across parts of the region into 2027. Emergency Alerts: The Cook Islands is among nine Pacific countries set to receive mobile cell-broadcast warning systems, backed by US$1.2 million in US funding. Outer-Island Delivery: Prime Minister Mark Brown urged Pa Enua administrators to speed up delivery, saying the main challenge is turning available funding into results on the ground. Parliament: A report says Parliament is unlikely to sit again until 2027, leaving little opportunity for scrutiny and debate before then.

International Hosting: The Cook Islands has won the right to host the 2028 World Va’a Distance Championships in Rarotonga. Organisers expect at least 1,500 competitors and more than 2,000 visitors, bringing a boost for tourism and local businesses. Immigration Reform: A letter to the editor welcomes recent changes, including lower fees and more flexibility for workers’ families, but highlights challenges facing Cook Islanders returning home with non-Cook Islands spouses and children. Outer Islands: Prime Minister Mark Brown urged Pa Enua administrators to speed up delivery, saying implementation—not funding—is the main obstacle and island priorities must shape national investment. Parliament and Accountability: Parliament is unlikely to sit until 2027, while the opposition has put health, living costs and accountability at the centre of its agenda. Climate Outlook: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño may persist into 2027, bringing drier-than-normal conditions to parts of the region and heightened risks from heat and drought.

Climate Outlook: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño is likely in early 2027, bringing hotter conditions and increased drought risk, with parts of the southwest Pacific expected to be drier than normal. Outer-Island Delivery: Prime Minister Mark Brown told Pa Enua executive officers the outer islands must be central to development, urging faster implementation and closer coordination so island priorities reach the budget. He said the main challenge is delivery, as concessional finance narrows after the Cook Islands’ graduation from ODA eligibility. Pacific Forum Debate: A commentary on Israel’s new partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum draws on the Cook Islands Māori concept of uriuri’anga to argue for open debate that protects relationships amid sharp regional disagreements. Parliamentary Watch: Parliament is unlikely to sit until 2027, while the opposition is focusing on health, living costs and accountability.

Parliament: The Cook Islands Parliament is unlikely to sit again until 2027, leaving the incoming Opposition to press its priorities outside the chamber. Leader Robert Heather says health services, living costs and government accountability will top his agenda. Cyclone Recovery: Prime Minister Mark Brown has shifted focus to recovery after Cyclone Wati hit the country. Seabed Minerals: The Seabed Minerals Authority has reaffirmed its safeguards as a report flags potential economic risks, keeping oversight of the industry in focus. Tourism Policy: The government has opened consultation on a new national tourism policy.

Opposition Priorities: Incoming Opposition Leader Robert Heather says the next four years will focus on health services, living costs and stronger government accountability and transparency. Parliament: Parliament is unlikely to sit again until 2027, leaving the government and opposition without a legislative sitting for the rest of the year. Cyclone Recovery: Prime Minister Mark Brown has shifted focus to recovery after Cyclone Wati hit the Cook Islands. Tourism Policy: Public consultation is under way on a new national tourism policy.

Opposition Priorities: Incoming Opposition Leader Robert Heather says health services, living costs and government accountability will top his agenda for the next four years. Parliament and Petitions: Parliament is unlikely to sit until 2027, while electoral-petition hearing dates remain unset; the court registry expects hearings next month. Mauke Health: Work has begun to strengthen Mauke Hospital against climate impacts, including roof and water-storage upgrades, accessibility improvements and planned solar infrastructure. The project is part of a US$13.4 million programme to build more resilient health facilities across the Cook Islands.

Pacific Development: The ADB’s new five-year Pacific strategy prioritises economic opportunity, essential services and climate-resilient infrastructure, issues central to island governments. Government Priorities: Prime Minister Mark Brown is turning to recovery after Cyclone Wati, while work begins on a climate-resilient upgrade to Mauke Hospital. Parliament and Opposition: Parliament may not sit until 2027 as electoral-petition hearing dates remain unsettled. Incoming Opposition leader Robert Heather has put health care, living costs and government accountability at the top of his agenda.

Parliamentary Delay: Cook Islands Parliament may not sit again until 2027, as electoral petitions remain unresolved and hearing dates are still unclear. Opposition Priorities: Incoming Opposition Leader Robert Heather says health services, the cost of living and stronger government accountability will top his agenda. Mauke Health Services: Work has begun on a climate-resilient upgrade to Mauke Hospital, including roof and water-storage improvements, accessibility works and planned solar infrastructure. The project is part of a NZ$23.4 million programme to strengthen health facilities across the Cook Islands.

Opposition Priorities: Incoming Opposition Leader Robert Heather says health services, living costs and government accountability will top his agenda. He and independent MP George Angene have joined forces after years of political division. Parliament Watch: Parliament may not sit until 2027. Electoral petition hearing dates remain unconfirmed, though the court registry expects hearings next month. Public Services: Central agencies have aligned public-sector leaders around budget, workforce and national development priorities. Meanwhile, work is under way to make Mauke Hospital more climate-resilient, with roof, water-storage, access and solar upgrades planned.

Opposition Priorities: Incoming leader Robert Heather says the opposition will focus on health services, living costs and government accountability. His new alliance with Independent MP George “Maggie” Angene also ends a decade-long political feud. Parliament: A return to sittings may be delayed until 2027, with election-petition hearings still unscheduled; the court registry expects them next month. Public Service: Central agencies have aligned leaders around national goals, funding and workforce constraints to guide Cabinet advice and policy priorities. Health Resilience: Work has begun to upgrade Mauke Hospital, including its roof, water storage and accessibility, with solar infrastructure also planned. Seabed Mining: US companies are seeking rights to large areas of the Pacific’s international waters, raising questions for regional governance as commercial mining has yet to begin.

Parliament: Cook Islands Parliament is unlikely to sit until 2027, with no firm hearing dates yet for electoral petitions; the court registry says hearings are expected next month. Mauke Health: Work has begun to make Mauke Hospital more climate-resilient, including roof and water-storage upgrades, accessibility improvements and planned solar infrastructure. The project is part of a US$13.4 million programme to strengthen health facilities nationwide. Public Service: Central agencies have brought public-sector leaders together to align workforce, funding and national priorities, drawing on progress measures across 15 development goals. Seabed Mining: US mining claims in Pacific international waters are expanding, sharpening concerns for the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority has reaffirmed safeguards as a report highlights economic risks. Regional Development: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–30 Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands, with a focus on resilience, infrastructure and stronger everyday services.

Tourism Policy: Public consultation is open on the Cook Islands’ draft National Tourism Policy. The Tourism Corporation says the plan should reflect what communities want tourism to contribute to their culture, environment and livelihoods. Cyclone Recovery: Prime Minister Mark Brown has shifted attention to recovery after Cyclone Wati hit the Cook Islands, as the region enters cyclone season. Public Service: Central agencies have aligned government leaders around budget pressures, workforce needs and national goals to guide policy priorities for the year ahead. Regional Development: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–30 Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands, with a focus on resilience, infrastructure and stronger local capacity. Infrastructure: Cook Islands officials returned from a New Zealand study tour exploring public-private partnerships and other ways to improve project planning and delivery. Language Funding: A letter to the editor questions the government’s $15,000 allocation to the national language commission, arguing it falls short of the state’s legal duties to preserve Cook Islands Māori. Seabed Mining: U.S. plans to expand deep-sea mining claims in Pacific waters are raising concerns for the Cook Islands and the region.

Immigration: A Sri Lankan woman stranded in Rarotonga since 2023 says she may accept detention to secure a way home. Cook Islands authorities cannot arrange her departure without transit permission from Australia or New Zealand. Tourism Policy: Public consultation has opened on a draft national tourism policy, with the Tourism Corporation seeking views on how the industry should serve communities, culture and the economy. Seabed Mining: A report says US-backed claims in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone now cover an area about half the size of seabed designated by the international regulator. The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says it will protect national interests amid concerns over mining’s economic risks. Public Services: Central agencies have brought public-sector leaders together to align workforce, funding and national priorities, drawing on progress reports covering 15 development goals. Regional Development: The Asian Development Bank’s 2026–30 Pacific strategy includes the Cook Islands, with a focus on climate resilience, institutional capacity and services suited to dispersed island communities.