Our voyage to Statehood, 60 years on

Understanding the nature and practice of free-association as we reflect on our development journey – By Hon. Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands     This is the first in a series of opinion pieces covering the Cook Islands development journey. Future editions will invite contributions from subject matter experts and examine the Cook Islands socio-economic development,…

Cook Islands reaffirms sovereignty and commitment to constructive dialogue with New Zealand

The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Hon. Mark Brown, today reaffirmed the nation’s sovereign right to engage internationally in accordance with its Constitution and national interests, following recent public discussions surrounding Cook Islands’ bilateral agreements and development partnerships. In an address to Parliament, the Prime Minister emphasised that while the Cook Islands remains in…

Cook Islands proposes Dynamic Ocean Protection Zone for whales

Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced the Cook Islands’ intention to establish Ra’ui To’ora, a Dynamic Ocean Protection Zone for whales, a Pacific-led innovation grounded in Indigenous stewardship and cutting-edge marine science. Unveiled at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), Ra’ui To’ora will provide seasonal protection for the endangered Oceania sub-population of humpback whales as…

Cook Islands Prime Minister leads delegation to United Nations Ocean Conference

The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, the Honourable Mark Brown, is attending the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) this week in Nice, France, affirming the country’s leadership in ocean governance, innovation, and regional cooperation. The Cook Islands delegation includes senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Ministry of Foreign Affairs…