CoveragePost
March 5, 2025
Asia Pacific Report The Green Party has called on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to rule out Aotearoa New Zealand joining the AUKUS military technical pact in any capacity following the row over Ukraine in the White House over the weekend. President Donald Trump’s “appalling treatment” of his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a “clear warning ... <a title="‘Back off AUKUS’, Greens MP Tuiono warns NZ in wake of Trump row" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/03/05/back-off-aukus-greens-mp-tuiono-warns-nz-in-wake-of-trump-row/" aria-label="Read more about ‘Back off AUKUS’, Greens MP Tuiono warns NZ in wake of Trump row">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
March 2, 2025
ANALYSIS: By Ali Mirin Last week, on 26 February 2025, President Prabowo Subianto officially launched Indonesia’s first bullion banks, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to gold and precious metal management. This initiative aims to strengthen Indonesia’s control over its gold reserves, improve financial stability, and reduce reliance on foreign institutions for gold ... <a title="Indonesia’s bullion banks, new mining policies pose threat to West Papuan sovereignty" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/03/02/indonesias-bullion-banks-new-mining-policies-pose-threat-to-west-papuan-sovereignty/" aria-label="Read more about Indonesia’s bullion banks, new mining policies pose threat to West Papuan sovereignty">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 27, 2025
RNZ Pacific Prime Minister Mark Brown has survived a motion in the Cook Islands Parliament aimed at ousting his government, the second Pacific Island leader to face a no-confidence vote this week. In a vote yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, Cook Islands time), the man who has been at the centre of controversy in the past few ... <a title="Cook Islands needs to ‘stand on our own two feet,’ says Brown – wins confidence vote" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/27/cook-islands-needs-to-stand-on-our-own-two-feet-says-brown-wins-confidence-vote/" aria-label="Read more about Cook Islands needs to ‘stand on our own two feet,’ says Brown – wins confidence vote">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2025
Pacific Media Watch A New Zealand-based community education provider, Dark Times Academy, has had a US Embassy grant to deliver a course teaching Pacific Islands journalists about disinformation terminated after the new Trump administration took office. The new US administration requested a list of course participants and to review the programme material amid controversy over ... <a title="US backing for Pacific disinformation media course casualty of Trump aid ‘freeze’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/20/us-backing-for-pacific-disinformation-media-course-casualty-of-trump-aid-freeze/" aria-label="Read more about US backing for Pacific disinformation media course casualty of Trump aid ‘freeze’">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
The Chinese have politely told the Kiwis to back off. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters that China and the Cook Islands have had diplomatic relations since 1997 which “should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party”. “New Zealand is rightly furious about it,” a TVNZ Pacific affairs writer editorialised to the ... <a title="Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/14/will-new-zealand-invade-the-cook-islands-to-stop-china-seriously/" aria-label="Read more about Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China? Seriously">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>
