CoveragePost
August 4, 2025
By Teuila Fuatai, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand’s foreign minister says Cook Islanders are free to choose whether their country continues in free association with New Zealand. Winston Peters made the comment at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the constitution of the Cook Islands in Auckland today. Peters attended the community event ... <a title="‘Right to choose’ key to Cook Islands-NZ relationship, says Peters" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/04/right-to-choose-key-to-cook-islands-nz-relationship-says-peters/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Right to choose’ key to Cook Islands-NZ relationship, says Peters">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
July 15, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist New Zealand will not send top government representation to the Cook Islands for its 60th Constitution Day celebrations in three weeks’ time. Instead, Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will represent Aotearoa in Rarotonga. On August 4, Cook Islands will mark 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand. ... <a title="Luxon and Peters to miss Cook Islands’ 60th Constitution Day celebrations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/07/15/luxon-and-peters-to-miss-cook-islands-60th-constitution-day-celebrations/" aria-label="Read more about Luxon and Peters to miss Cook Islands’ 60th Constitution Day celebrations">Read more</a>
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 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 after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local ... <a title="Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/19/why-new-zealand-has-paused-funding-to-the-cook-islands-over-china-deal/" aria-label="Read more about Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal">Read more</a>
