CoveragePost
March 6, 2026
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor The All Blacks have their first coach of Pasifika heritage. Dave Rennie has been given the job, replacing the ousted Scott Robertson. Rennie’s Cook Islands heritage comes via his mother, who hails from Titikaveka on Rarotonga, and Rennie even played a non-test match for the country in 1990. Asked ... <a title="‘I know she’d be really proud’ – NZ’s first Pasifika heritage All Blacks coach" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/03/06/i-know-shed-be-really-proud-nzs-first-pasifika-heritage-all-blacks-coach/" aria-label="Read more about ‘I know she’d be really proud’ – NZ’s first Pasifika heritage All Blacks coach">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 6, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist in Rarotonga The Cook Islands has no intention of leaving its special relationship with New Zealand, says Prime Minister Mark Brown. The Cook Islands marked 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand on August 4. “The value of our relationship with New Zealand cannot be overstated,” ... <a title="Mark Brown rejects talk of ‘strategic shift’ in Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/08/06/mark-brown-rejects-talk-of-strategic-shift-in-cook-islands-new-zealand-relationship/" aria-label="Read more about Mark Brown rejects talk of ‘strategic shift’ in Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship">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
June 20, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist 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 Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack ... <a title="Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/06/20/mark-brown-cook-islands-not-consulted-on-nz-china-agreements/" aria-label="Read more about Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements">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>
CoveragePost
February 28, 2025
By Talaia Mika of the Cook Islands News As concerns continue to emerge over China’s “unusual” naval exercises in the Tasman Sea, raising eyebrows from New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands government was questioned for an update in Parliament. This follows the newly established bilateral relations between the Cook Islands and China through a ... <a title="Cook Islands government to seek update on China’s naval exercises" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/28/cook-islands-government-to-seek-update-on-chinas-naval-exercises/" aria-label="Read more about Cook Islands government to seek update on China’s naval exercises">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist, in Avarua, Rarotonga More than 400 people have taken to the streets to protest against Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s recent decisions, which have led to a diplomatic spat with New Zealand. The protest, led by Opposition MP and Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather, has taken ... <a title="Cook Islanders march in Avarua against Mark Brown government" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/18/cook-islanders-march-in-avarua-against-mark-brown-government/" aria-label="Read more about Cook Islanders march in Avarua against Mark Brown government">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 16, 2025
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/Bulletin editor Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark maintains that Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, should have consulted Wellington before signing a “partnership” deal with China. “[Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown] seems to have signed behind the backs of his own people as well as of ... <a title="‘Clandestine’ Cook Islands-China deal ‘damaged’ NZ relationship, says Clark" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/16/clandestine-cook-islands-china-deal-damaged-nz-relationship-says-clark/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Clandestine’ Cook Islands-China deal ‘damaged’ NZ relationship, says Clark">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 16, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the deal with China “complements, not replaces” the relationship with New Zealand after signing it yesterday. Brown said “The Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030” provides a structured framework for engagement between the Cook Islands and China. “Our relationship and ... <a title="China deal ‘complements, not replaces’ NZ relationship, says Cook Islands PM" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/16/china-deal-complements-not-replaces-nz-relationship-says-cook-islands-pm/" aria-label="Read more about China deal ‘complements, not replaces’ NZ relationship, says Cook Islands PM">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 14, 2025
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – The New Zealand government and the mainstream media have gone ballistic (thankfully not literally just yet) over the move by the small Pacific nation to sign a strategic partnership with China in Beijing this week. It is the latest in a string of island nations that ... <a title="Eugene Doyle: Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/14/eugene-doyle-will-new-zealand-invade-the-cook-islands-to-stop-china-seriously/" aria-label="Read more about Eugene Doyle: Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously">Read more</a>
