A ‘New’ Underwater Volcano: Rising from the Depths Near You!

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), in collaboration with other partners such as the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), University of California Santa Barbara, and Kiva Marine, recently went volcano hunting without a seabed mineral in sight. Keep reading if you want to find out why and how.

SBMA Release: SBMA participates in High-Level Regional Talks on Deep Sea Minerals

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) recently participated in the first of its kind Ministerial Talanoa on Deep Sea Minerals (DSM), convened by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, from 18 to 21 February 2025.

The Talanoa brought together Pacific Island Forum leaders, ministers and senior officials, and regional and international stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges of DSM development and governance in the Pacific.

Landmark Deepsea Environment Moorings Successfully Deployed in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands has reached a significant milestone with the first-ever deployment of three deep-sea environmental monitoring mooring arrays north of Aitutaki (figure 1). Conducted under approved exploration licences, this initiative was a joint effort between Moana Minerals Limited (MML) and Cobalt Seabed Resources Limited (CSR).

Media ReleaseDede Mingi4 March 2025Cook Islands, Deepsea Research, Ocean Science, Responsible Exploration, Seabed Minerals, Deep Sea Monitoring, Marine Conservation, Sustainable Oceans, Environmental Research, Climate Action, Scientific Exploration, Moana Science, Pacific Innovation, Ocean Data, Marine Ecosystem, Blue Economy, Future Oceans

Letter: Time for change

According to Prime Minister Brown, this isn’t about his failure to talk with Cook Islanders – it’s about New Zealand exerting control.

Letter to the editorDede Mingi4 March 2025Cook Islands, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Mining, Government Transparency, Public Consultation, Cook Islands Politics, New Zealand Relations, China-Cook Islands Agreements\, Public Accountability

Cook Islands seeking New Zealand expertise for Sovereign Wealth Fund

The Cook Islands government has taken further steps towards establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), with officials currently in New Zealand holding discussions with financial experts, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Parliament this week.

Cook Islands eyes China investment in blue economy

Cook Islands and China have agreed to cooperate on blue economy investments, including new port wharves and deep sea minerals development, under a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU).

CI NEWSDede Mingi22 February 2025Cook Islands, China Relations, Blue Economy, Seabed Mining, Deep-Sea Minerals, Marine Conservation, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Sustainable D

A Deep-Sea Milestone: Cook Islands and China Partner on Sustainable Seabed Resource Development

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Blue Partnership in the Field of Seabed Minerals Affairs with the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, reinforcing a shared commitment to marine cooperation, sustainable resource management, and advancing deep-sea research.

Media Release, Press ReleaseDede Mingi21 February 2025Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands SBMA, Blue Partnership, Seabed Minerals Governance, Deep Sea Research, Sustainable Oceans, Marine Cooperation, Environmental Stewardship, Capacity Building, Technology Transfer, Scientific Collaboration, Blue Economy, Sustainable Development

Thomas Wynne: What does China want from Cook Islands?

There is a question that rests heavily on my heart – one that goes beyond politics and economics, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

CI NEWSDede Mingi15 February 2025Cook Islands, Seabed Mining, Manganese Nodule, Deep-Sea Mining, China Relations, Pacific Geopolitics, Trade Agreements, Resource Management, Sovereignty and Self-Determination, Economic Development, Foreign Investments, Trust and Governance, Cook Islands Politics, Cultural Values, Pacific Partnerships

SBMA to engage public on deep-sea exploration findings

Seabed Mining Authority (SBMA) says it will be reaching out to the community, especially older generations, to consult with them about their preliminary findings from the ongoing seabed minerals exploration.

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