Prime Minister Mark Brown delivered a heartfelt and inspiring address to mark the beginning of a historic year for the Cook Islands. Speaking at the vibrant Ipukarea Concert, he set the tone for 2025, a year of celebration and reflection on 60 years of self-governance under the unifying theme: “I know who I am, I…
In response to recent media discussions, Prime Minister Mark Brown reaffirms the Cook Islands government’s unwavering commitment to preserving the nation’s constitutional relationship with New Zealand while celebrating Cook Islands’ unique heritage and identity. Our constitutional bond remains unchangedPrime Minister Brown addressed concerns raised about the introduction of a Cook Islands passport: “Let me be…
The Cook Islands has achieved a historic milestone, hosting the Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), His Excellency Dr. Zhaoxu Ma, marking the highest-level visit from PRC Government. The visit coincided with the dedication ceremony for the Te Mato Vai (TMV) Project, the largest infrastructure initiative in the…
Highlighting Seabed Minerals and 60 Years of Self-GovernmentPrime Minister Honourable Mark Brown led the Cook Islands Government delegation through a week-long series of consultations with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand. These engagements provided valuable opportunities to share updates on the Seabed Minerals (SBM) sector and outline plans for the country’s 60th anniversary of self-governance…
On January 25th 2022, the Cook Islands Research Policy was updated and endorsed by Cabinet. This led to the establishment of Cook Islands Research Ethics Committee (‘CIREC’) in May 2022 who work in partnership with the Cook Islands National Research Committee (‘CINRC’). The Cook Islands Research Ethics Committee ensures that all research undertaken in the…
National Sustainable Development Agenda (NSDA) 2020+ Annual Indicator Report Highlights Cook Islands’ Progress and Challenges in Sustainable Development Rarotonga, August 2023 – The Cook Islands is pleased to unveil the National Sustainable Development Agenda (NSDA) 2020+ first Annual Indicator Report, a crucial document providing an encompassing overview of key indicators assessing wellbeing, social, economic, and environmental…
1st August 2023 On January 25th 2022, the Cook Islands Research Policy was updated and endorsed by Cabinet. This led to the establishment of the Cook Islands Research Ethics Committee (‘CIREC’) in May 2022 who work in partnership with the Cook Islands National Research Committee (‘CINRC’). The Cook Islands Research Ethics Committee ensures that all…
A New Zealand study tour to investigate lessons-learnt for licensing, prescribing, and dispensing, and potentially producing medicinal cannabis products in the Cook Islands is proposed for next month. Comprehensive work is underway to determine the policy settings and assess the legal framework to allow for future possible legal use, importation and/or production of medicinal cannabis…
Members of the Cannabis Referendum Committee led by Chair Tingika Elikana, met with Cabinet members recently to present its preliminary overview for the reform of legislation regarding medical cannabis in the Cook Islands. It was noted in the presentation that the legislation of cannabis for medical purposes was supported by 62% of voters at the…
Cook Islands history has been made with the very first Population Policy now finalized. A launch will be made in the 2023 New Year. This policy was developed over the period that our country and the world were in a Covid-19 epidemic, which provided a changing situation of unexpected population challenges. The Policy was initially…