Caleb Fotheringham

It says the illegal dumping of asbestos-contaminated material is creating health risks for those who dump the material and potentially to others.

Tina Browne, who has called for a pause on deep sea mining, says she is fine with exploration and the actual mining if it is deemed environmentally safe.

Thirty percent of the 1000-person sample supported Cook Islanders retaining citizenship, 46 percent were opposed and 24 percent were unsure. Audio

The Cook Islands prime minister has suggested a double standard, after the New Zealand government cut its development assistance to the tune of nearly $20 million.

New Zealand has halted more than $18 million in development assistance to its realm country. But the island's prime minister said his government was "aware" it was coming. Audio

A Norfolk Island local says people are outraged that the emergency or 000 number is still down.

The island's climate change minister told leaders at the United Nations Ocean Conference that the extraction of metals from deep sea nodules is essential for energy transition.

Dan McGarry said despite facing charges, because Tate has not been convicted, "none of that is disqualifying".

Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, with clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continuing.

Greg Devine said mosquitos that carry the virus "hitchhike around the world" and the increased movement of people is increasing those infected by dengue.

Locals on Norfolk Island remain concerned that their emergency number - 000 - is still down after two weeks.

"Ports came in with a tug and pulled the vessel out; once the vessel was pulled out, it went down."

Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands have all declared dengue outbreaks.

Air Rarotonga chief executive officer and owner Ewan Francis Smith has been knighted for services to Cook Islands business and tourism.

Another gruesome video is circulating social media from Enga Province, which has a recent history of tribal conflict.

Norfolk Island locals are shocked after a 40-kilogram package - believed to contain cocaine - washed up on one of their beaches.

A package believed to contain about 40 kilograms of cocaine has turned up on a Norfolk Island beach. A statement from the Australian Federal Police said the package, which is...

The Cook Islands declared a dengue fever outbreak on Thursday. Audio

The New Zealand Navy vessel ran aground on the reef off the south coast of Upolu in early October 2024 before catching fire and sinking. Audio

Maritime Cook Islands was told in May that it was removed from the Registry Information Sharing Compact due to a "potential violation".

"When you've got so many things being cut, you can understand why our communities are so desperate that they'll go to loan sharks [and] pyramid schemes." Audio

The Metals Company, which has been supported by Nauru and Tonga, has confirmed it won't apply for a mining licence through the International Seabed Authority. Audio

The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua says women and children are being forced to leave their villages because of escalating conflict.

The former Cook Islands prime minister and Pacific Islands Forum head has joined the board of the deep sea mining company Cobalt Seabed Resources. Audio

But Indonesia denies this, saying all land sales transactions are lawful and "there is no land grab without consent". Audio