Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Cook Islands launches first-ever National Awards system: Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki
Cook Island News
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June 30, 2025
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,...
WATER SPORTS KICKS THINGS OFF IN DAY 1
GSPN
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June 30, 2025
By Charlotte Oh KOROR, Palau – Guam’s swimming and va’a teams kicked off the 2025 Pacific Mini Games to an exciting start in Palau. Wearing Guam’s flag with honor, these athletes competed with focus and strength while also making memories that...
Team Cook Islands in high spirit
Cook Island News
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June 28, 2025
The Cook Islands swim team. KIERAN CHAN/ CISNOC-25062710 The young swimming team from the Cook Islands is in Palau, filled with high spirits and ready for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. Chef de Mission Mark Short says, “We have a very young team in...
Cook Islands unveils historic National Awards system
Cook Island News
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June 27, 2025
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...
2025 Pacific Mini Games: flag bearers journey
Cook Island News
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June 30, 2025
The 2025 Pacific Mini Games opening ceremony in Palau, which took place on Saturday (Cook Islands time), featured Alanna Smith and Brendon Heath, team Cook Islands flag bearers, alongside the aquatics team, Talissa Koteka, who is competing as an...
Cook Islands qualifies for 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Beach Handball
Cook Island News
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June 24, 2025
Cook Islands men’s beach handball team has officially qualified for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, following a determined showing at the 3rd IHF Men’s Youth Beach Handball World Championship in Hammamet, Tunisia. SUPPLIED/25062303 History was made...
Pacific news in brief for 1 July
RNZ
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July 1, 2025
Niue government buildings Photo: RNZ/ Sally Round Niue - budget Health, education, social welfare and government salaries have receives a boost in the Niue government's new NZ$12.5 million (US$7.6m) deficit budget. Last week, the island's finance...
Wrestler Palacios gives NMI first medal; 6 swimmers reach finals
Marianas Variety
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(Northern Marianas Sports Association) — Team Marianas got off to a good start on the opening day of competitions in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau, as NMI swimmers and wrestlers advanced to the medal round of their respective events Monday...
Raro Fire and Food Fest a sizzling success for a great cause!
Cook Island News
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June 30, 2025
International barbecue team from New Zealand at the fifth annual Raro Fire and Festival at the Rarotonga Sailing Club in Muri a week ago. THOMAS MCDONALD/25062609 A Raro Fire and Food Festival took place a week ago at the Rarotonga Sailing Club in...
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...
Empire Theatre to screen Cook Islands’ first feature film for Matariki
Cook Island News
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June 21, 2025
A scene from “The Silent One” film, based on the children’s book by Joy Cowley. The film follows the heartwarming story of Jonasi, a deaf-mute boy, and his deep bond with a rare white turtle. SUPPLIED/25062006 To celebrate Matariki 2025, the New...
Atiu’s Areora Hard Courts reopen for sports
Cook Island News
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June 25, 2025
The newly resurfaced Areora Hard Courts in Atiu are set to be officially opened today, celebrating an important occasion for sports and youth development on the island. Plexipave New Zealand/25062310 The newly resurfaced Areora Hard Courts in Atiu...
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...
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...
New Zealand Cuts Millions in Funding to Cook Islands Over China Ties
The Epoch Times
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand has cut millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands due to the island group’s deepening ties with China. A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on June 18 that New Zealand had decided...
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,...
Luxon plays down Cook Islands funding pause
Otago Daily Times
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June 19, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has down-played a pause of nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China. Luxon spoke to media in Shanghai hours after it became public that New Zealand paused $18.2...
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....
Parliamentary rules clash over Cook Islands National Awards Bill
Cook Island News
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June 18, 2025
Opposition leader Tina Browne. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU / 2561620 Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki: Cook Islands National Awards Bill 2025 is currently in Parliament and due for a second reading with a Certificate of Urgency. If passed the Act will establish...
Record-Breaking Finalists as Pacific Music Awards Celebrates 21 Years
TP+
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June 24, 2025
Shane Walker honoured as a finalist at the Pacific Music Awards announcement night. Photo: Tagata Pasifika The finalists for the 2025 Pacific Music Awards were revealed last night at a ceremony held at the Mangere Arts Centre in Auckland, Aotearoa...