Cook Islands Prime Minister to Engage New Zealand Diaspora on Cultural Pride and Sustainable Development

The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, is set to engage with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand from November 18 to 22 in a week-long Diaspora Consultation. These consultations, organised by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Cook Islands New Zealand High Commission, with the aim to update the diaspora on important national developments, including progress in the seabed minerals sector and the Cook Islands’ upcoming 60th anniversary of self-governance in 2025.

Cook Islands hosts world’s largest marine minerals gathering

Over 100 stakeholders and marine minerals experts from all across the globe have gathered for the International Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) 2024 in Rarotonga this week.

The four-day conference, which began in 1970, will be held from Monday to Thursday this week at the National Auditorium, gathering marine minerals experts from over 25 countries.

UMC is the world’s largest gathering of ocean mineral stakeholders, including government, academic, and commercial sector professionals.

Cook Islands and Auckland University discuss collaboration in ocean research

Prime Minister Mark Brown, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Seabed Minerals Authority, and the Cook Islands High Commission, recently held a productive meeting with the University of Auckland to explore potential areas of collaboration in ocean research.

Release: Cook Islands reiterates commitments to ocean conservation and management at Our Ocean Conference 2024

“As Cook Islanders and Pacific peoples, we have an imbedded culture of conservation and environmental management over our land and sea. This has enabled us to sustainably use our marine resources while also ensuring its protection. We have been doing this for centuries. We are conservationists.” This was the message Prime Minister Mark Brown conveyed during his recent attendance at the Our Ocean conference held in Athens, Greece.

SBMA Release: Pacific Leaders Agree to Greater Regional Dialogue and Cooperation on Deep Sea Minerals

The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting hosted by the Cook Islands concluded last week. Milestones included the endorsements of the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan, the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility.

Research vessel Anuanua Moana welcomed to the Cook Islands

To mark the arrival of their research vessel, Anuanua Moana, license holder Moana Minerals hosted a blessing and naming ceremony at Avatiu harbour yesterday.

Aitutaki supports seabed minerals exploration

Last week, a delegation led by Prime Minister Mark Brown visited Aitutaki to carry out consultations on the seabed minerals (SBM) sector. The public expressed generally strong support for the Government’s development of the sector, and the current Exploration Programme underway.

‘We’re after the same thing’ – PM Brown reacts to NZ’s call for ban on seabed mining

As the New Zealand government moves towards a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown claims both governments are actually after the same thing. Matthew Littlewood and Caleb Fotheringham report.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says his government’s stance on deep sea mining might end up in a ‘different vaka’ to New Zealand.

The issue has proved contentious, with various environmental groups, such as Te Ipukarea Society, calling for a moratorium or outright ban on the practice.

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