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 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>
CoveragePost
February 9, 2025
MEDIAWATCH: By Colin Peacock, RNZ Mediawatch presenter By the time US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on China and Canada last Monday which could kickstart a trade war, New Zealand’s diplomats in Washington, DC, had already been deployed on another diplomatic drama. Republican Senator Ted Cruz had said on social media it was “difficult to ... <a title="Mediawatch: NZ media in the middle of Asia-Pacific diplomatic drama" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/09/mediawatch-nz-media-in-the-middle-of-asia-pacific-diplomatic-drama/" aria-label="Read more about Mediawatch: NZ media in the middle of Asia-Pacific diplomatic drama">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 9, 2025
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with China, which is expected to be penned in Beijing next week. Brown told RNZ Pacific the Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship was reciprocal. “They certainly did not consult with us when ... <a title="Mark Brown on China deal: ‘No need for NZ to sit in the room with us’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/02/09/mark-brown-on-china-deal-no-need-for-nz-to-sit-in-the-room-with-us/" aria-label="Read more about Mark Brown on China deal: ‘No need for NZ to sit in the room with us’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 3, 2025
By Talaia Mika of the Cook Islands News The Cook Islands will not pursue membership in the United Nations and the Commonwealth due to its inability to meet the criteria for UN membership and existing relationship with New Zealand, which fulfils Commonwealth membership requirements. Prime Minister Mark Brown has clarified that the Cook Islands is ... <a title="Cook Islands ‘not qualified’ for UN membership, says prime minister" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/01/03/cook-islands-not-qualified-for-un-membership-says-prime-minister/" aria-label="Read more about Cook Islands ‘not qualified’ for UN membership, says prime minister">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
December 13, 2024
Significant attempts were made from overseas to hack into the government’s central network a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Mark Brown has revealed. However, the Prime Minister said that the government’s robust firewall security systems were able to fend off these attempts. Brown revealed this while speaking in support of the Financial Transactions Reporting Amendment ... <a title="Cook Islands govt fends off cyberattacks, passes bill to strengthen financial transparency" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/13/cook-islands-govt-fends-off-cyberattacks-passes-bill-to-strengthen-financial-transparency/" aria-label="Read more about Cook Islands govt fends off cyberattacks, passes bill to strengthen financial transparency">Read more</a>
