Prime Minister in Papa New Guinea to mark 50 years
While our foreign minister was a no show for the Cooks Islands celebrations, the Prime Minister has been in Papua New Guinea to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties there. Christopher Luxon spoke to parliament today, before getting a live mortar firing demonstration this afternoon. But it all comes against the backdrop of China's growing influence in the Pacific region. Political Reporter Russell Palmer has been travelling with the Prime Minister and spoke to Lisa Owen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Scoop
No Coal From Stockton Mine Today
Climate activists have climbed and occupied a bucket on the Stockton Mine aerial ropeway, effectively preventing coal from leaving Bathurst Resource's Stockton Mine, the biggest coal mine in New Zealand. The climbers are opposing Bathurst's Fast-Track application to open a 20 million tonne coal mine on the Denniston Plateau that would be the same size as Nelson city. This is the second time this year that protestors have targeted Bathurst Resources regarding the proposed mine expansion on the Denniston Plateau. 'We will continue doing everything we can to oppose Bathurst Resources' proposed mine expansion into the Denniston Plateau. We will not stand idly by and accept this destruction,' says bucket occupier and Climate Liberation Aotearoa spokesperson Rach Andrews. 'This is an ecocidal project that puts foreign profit before life on earth. It is stealing from future generations to profit a few people.' 'The Fast-Track legislation has eroded the democratic process. There is no longer any way for members of the public to voice concerns about proposed projects like this coal mine on kiwi habitat. The New Zealand government has effectively forced communities to take actions like this if we want to be heard.' Bathurst Resources Ltd is the biggest coal operator in New Zealand, with 90% of shareholdings owned by foreign investors. Bathurst's Fast-Track application states that they plan to mine 20 million tonnes of coal over 25 years from the Stockton and Denniston Plateaus to export coking coal to countries like Japan, India and China. [1] This single coal mine would generate at least 53 million tonnes of emissions, close to New Zealand's entire net emissions of 59 million tonnes. [2] This month the Tasman area was flooded multiple times, receiving half a year's rain in two weeks, leaving large areas devastated with damage and loss of property. The expected cost of recovery is in the millions with a predicted sharp increase in the cost of fresh produce nationwide. Christopher Luxon announced they will provide $500,000 towards the clean up when the final cost could be more than a hundred times that. 'Extreme weather events like this will escalate the more the planet warms. We can see this happening in Aotearoa. These floods impact everyday people, where they live and work, while the likes of Richard Tacon, CEO of Bathurst, cares only about making money for himself and his shareholders' said Rach. The International Court of Justice ruled last week that countries must address the "urgent and existential threat" of climate change by cooperating to curb emissions and yet the Fast-Track Bill is enabling the expansion of the fossil fuel industry in New Zealand. 'We want Bathurst Resources to know that we won't sit back and let this happen - that this is not what New Zealanders want. We urge anyone who wants to protect our wildlife, who has had enough of cleaning up flood damaged property, to join us in stopping this coal mine and other Fast-Track projects.' Notes: [2]
RNZ News
20 hours ago
- RNZ News
US starts seabed mineral talks with Cook Islands
The US has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed minerals exploration and development. Photo: 123RF By Kanishka Singh , Reuters The US has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed minerals exploration and development, the State Department said on Tuesday. The Cook Islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and are made up of 15 islands and atolls. The country in 2021 had a population of 15,040. Western nations that traditionally held sway in the Pacific Islands have become increasingly concerned about China's plans to increase influence after Beijing signed defense, trade and financial deals with Pacific countries in recent years. Earlier this year, a strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands was signed. It spanned areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excluded security ties. "The government of the United States of America has begun discussions with the government of the Cook Islands to support the research necessary to inform seabed exploration and responsible development within the Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone," the Statement Department said in a statement. US-linked firms "sit at the forefront" of deep seabed mineral research and exploration in the Cook Islands, it said. The Cook Islands was within the New Zealand borders from 1901. In 1965, it became self-governing but in free association with New Zealand. It has its own government and King Charles III is its head of state. Cook Islanders have New Zealand citizenship and passports. They have the same rights as a New Zealander such as the ability to work, go to school and use the medical system. In June, New Zealand suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands as the relationship continued to deteriorate amid the island group's deepening ties with China. - Reuters
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Mark Brown: rejects talk of 'strategic shift' in Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship
Prime Minister Mark Brown says the New Zealand, Cook Islands relationship is too strong that disagreeing governments can not break it. Photo: Caleb Fotheringham The Cook Islands has no intention of leaving its special relationship with New Zealand, Prime Minister Mark Brown says. The Cook Islands marked 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand on 4 August. "The value of our relationship with New Zealand cannot be overstated," Brown said at the national auditorium in Rarotonga on Monday. His remarks were met with a round of applause. "I would like to emphasise that there is not now, nor has there ever been, a strategic shift by the Cook Islands government or our peoples to reject the value and responsibilities of our relationship of free-association with New Zealand." The Cook Islands marked 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand on August 4 Photo: Caleb Fotheringham The celebration was filled with dancing, singing, food and a 45-minute speech by Brown on where the nation has come from and where it's going. "Every island holds a piece of our future, let us stand with conviction on the global stage. Our people span oceans. Our voice carries across borders. And our contribution continues to grow," Brown said. Notably absent from the four Pacific leaders attending was New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is in Papua New Guinea. Foreign Minister Winston Peters was also absent. Brown said like any relationship, there will be moments that need reflection. "There are times when we must pause and consider whether the conventions and evolved understandings between our freely associated states remain aligned, we find ourselves in such a moment. "I see our relationship as one grounded in enduring kinship, like members of a family who continue to care deeply for one another, even as each has grown and charted their own path." Brown called the current issues a bump in the road. He said they had been through far worse, like natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic. "[The relationship] is too well entrenched and too strong, like steel, that nothing will break it, it is too strong that even disagreeing governments will not break it." Representing New Zealand was Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, who also talked of the long-standing relationship, stemming back hundreds of years to voyaging ancestors. "That bond of deep friendship between our two peoples, that will transcend all else as we continue to face the challenges, and celebrate the joys of the future, together." 60th celebrations Photo: Caleb Fotheringham After the official ceremony, there was a big kai kai. Those attending shared their thoughts on what they wanted for the future of their country. "To see our future generations grow up in our own paradise instead of them going overseas," one woman said. Another said she wanted the Cook Islands to remain a Christian nation and to keep their culture strong. One nurse said medical was always on the go and wanted more investment, "the resources we have are very limited, so I want to see a bigger improvement within our medical side of things". A dentist wanted the Cook Islands to be "a modern nation" and "to be a leader in economic wealth." Another man wanted to remain in free association with New Zealand but wanted the country "to make its own decisions and stand on its own two feet". A primary school principal said he wanted more young people to learn Cook Islands Māori. "This is our identity, our language." He also wanted the country to be more independent economically. "I think we as a nation need to look at how we can support other countries… I don't like that we're still asking for money from New Zealand, from Australia, at some point in the future I would like us as a nation to help other nations." There was a big kai kai as part of the celebrations Photo: Caleb Fotheringham New Zealand paused close to 20 million dollars in development funding in June, citing a lack of consultation on agreements signed between the Cook Islands and China earlier in the year. China's ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong was attending the event. RNZ Pacific approached him, but the ambassador said he was unable to comment because he had to leave the event.
