CoveragePost
June 25, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist A new poll by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union shows that almost half of respondents oppose the Cook Islands having automatic New Zealand citizenship. Thirty percent of the 1000-person sample supported Cook Islanders retaining citizenship, 46 percent were opposed and 24 percent were unsure. The question asked: The Cook ... <a title="Nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands, says poll" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/25/nearly-half-of-kiwis-oppose-automatic-citizenship-for-cook-islands-says-poll/" aria-label="Read more about Nearly half of Kiwis oppose automatic citizenship for Cook Islands, says poll">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
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 Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after ... <a title="Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/21/former-new-zealand-pm-helen-clark-blames-cook-islands-for-crisis/" aria-label="Read more about Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 17, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist in Avarua, Rarotonga Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown hopes to have “an opportunity to talk” with the New Zealand government to “heal some of the rift”. Brown returned to Avarua on Sunday afternoon (Cook Islands Time) following his week-long state visit to China, where he signed a “comprehensive ... <a title="‘No areas of concern’, says Cook Islands PM on NZ’s China deal fears" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/17/no-areas-of-concern-says-cook-islands-pm-on-nzs-china-deal-fears/" aria-label="Read more about ‘No areas of concern’, says Cook Islands PM on NZ’s China deal fears">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 14, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist in Avarua, Rarotonga China has confirmed details of its meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown for the first time, saying Beijing “stands ready to have an in-depth exchange” with the island nation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters during his regular press conference that Brown’s ... <a title="China confirms ‘in-depth exchange’ with Cook Islands as New Zealand faces criticism for bullying" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/14/china-confirms-in-depth-exchange-with-cook-islands-as-new-zealand-faces-criticism-for-bullying/" aria-label="Read more about China confirms ‘in-depth exchange’ with Cook Islands as New Zealand faces criticism for bullying">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 13, 2025
By Melina Etches of the Cook Islands News A motion of no confidence has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership the country will sign with China this week. Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather said ... <a title="Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/13/cook-islands-opposition-files-no-confidence-motion-against-pm/" aria-label="Read more about Cook Islands opposition files no-confidence motion against PM">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 11, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist China and the Cook Islands’ relationship “should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party”, says Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, as opposition leaders in Rarotonga express a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Mark Brown. In response to questions from the Associated Press about New Zealand ... <a title="China: Cook Islands’ relationship with Beijing ‘should not be restrained’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/11/china-cook-islands-relationship-with-beijing-should-not-be-restrained/" aria-label="Read more about China: Cook Islands’ relationship with Beijing ‘should not be restrained’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 10, 2025
The Cook Islands finds itself in a precarious dance — one between the promises of foreign investments and the integrity of our own sovereignty. As the country sways between partners China and Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cook Islands News asks: “Do we continue to haka with the Taniwha, our constitutional partner, or do we dance ... <a title="Cook Islands crisis: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/10/cook-islands-crisis-haka-with-the-taniwha-or-dance-with-the-dragon/" aria-label="Read more about Cook Islands crisis: Haka with the taniwha or dance with the dragon?">Read more</a>
