Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
New Zealand’s funding pause to Cook Islands is ‘not the Pacific Way’
Pacific Media Network
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New Zealand’s suspension of funding to the Cook Islands government has seen tensions rise among officials and experts. This follows reports that New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, withheld more than $18 million because...
Former New Zealand PM blames Cook Islands for creating a crisis
Papua New Guinea Post Courier
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June 22, 2025
WELLINGTON: Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New Zealand government has paused more than...
Thomas Wynne: Cook Islands’ fourth pillar
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
Thomas Wynne. We have grown up with a national consciousness that tells us our nation stands on three distinct pillars: our Ekalesia (church), our Ui Ariki (traditional leaders), and our Kavamani (government). But has there been another pillar...
Stars align for unity: Matariki unites NZ and Cook Islands amidst tensions
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
A little performance at the Matariki celebration based on the importance of Matariki. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25061816 Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga hosted the annual Matariki celebration, emphasising...
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis
Asia Pacific Report
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June 21, 2025
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/producer Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New...
All 65 countries where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ+ in 2025, including the UAE and Mali
Pink News
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July 9, 2025
How many countries is it still illegal to be gay in 2025? More than you’d think, probably. Since we last updated this list, Mali has criminalised LGBTQ+ activity and Trinidad and Tobago have re-criminalised it, although more positively, Namibia...
Only one faipule attended the townhall meeting on deepsea mining
Samoa News
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July 9, 2025
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — At last week’s Town Hall meeting on deep-sea mining, held at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium, Swains Island Faipule Alex Jennings stood out as the sole member of the Legislature in attendance. This fact was brought...
Christopher Luxon raises Cook Islands impasse with Chinese Premier, disagrees with Nato boss that China in league with Russia to undermine West
The New Zealand Herald
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June 20, 2025
Those remarks appear to echo the words of Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who this month urged the Pacific to stand together and stressed the importance of the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum in conducting Pacific affairs. “As we face...
Bridging Divides: A call for new dialogue amid NZ's suspension of aid to the Cook Islands
Pacific Media Network
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As a Cook Islander and political analyst, I am deeply concerned by the New Zealand Government’s recent decision to pause core budgetary aid to the Cook Islands. The action was taken in response to the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic...
Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal
Asia Pacific Report
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June 19, 2025
BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter; Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands...
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for creating a crisis
RNZ
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June 20, 2025
Helen Clark, middle, says Cook Islands caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. Photo: RNZ Pacific Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand,...
New Zealand pauses Cook Islands funding over deepening China ties
The Mainichi
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June 20, 2025
This combined photo shows New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, left, and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. (Kyodo) SYDNEY (Kyodo) -- New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands, the government said...
Mark Brown: Cook Islands 'not consulted' on NZ-China agreements
RNZ
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June 19, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: Tiana Haxton Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was "not privy to or consulted on" agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign...
Watch: Preparing for the biggest Cook Islands festival in Aotearoa
RNZ
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June 20, 2025
Te Maeva Nui NZ is seen as the largest Cook Islands cultural festival outside of the Cook Islands. Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor went along to an audition night for the only team outside of Auckland, Oire-Te Whanganui a Tara with camera man Mark Papalii....
New Zealand Freezes Cook Islands Aid Over Concerns About CCP Links
The Epoch Times
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June 20, 2025
While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Beijing encouraging CCP officials to increase trade and tourism with New Zealand, his Foreign Minister Winston Peters appears to have taken Cabinet by surprise by announcing a freezing of aid to the...
Beijing’s Triangular Play: Weaving Development, Diplomacy, and Multilateralism
The Diplomat
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July 8, 2025
In recent years, China has quietly shifted its strategy in international development cooperation. Once focused almost exclusively on bilateral assistance, Beijing now embraces triangular development cooperation, a transformative aid modality...
'Puts New Zealand in a weaker position' - expert on Peters' Cook Islands move
RNZ
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June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...
Luxon meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid Cook Island controversy
RNZ
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June 20, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands in front of photographers. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has held talks with one of the world's most powerful people - Chinese...
NZ halts Cook Islands aid over PRC row
Taipei Times
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said yesterday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...
Robert Patman: International Relations Expert says Luxon will "set the record straight" over Cook Islands dispute
Newstalk ZB
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June 19, 2025
An International Relations Expert says the Prime Minister will set the record straight in China regarding the pause on Cook Island aid funding. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has put millions of dollars in developmental aid on hold - saying trust...