US starts seabed mineral talks with Cook Islands
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
25 minutes ago
- RNZ News
First portion of social investment funding to prioritise children
Photo: RNZ The Social Investment Agency will prioritise social services working with children of families with complex needs for its first round of funding. In May, the government announced the $190 million Social Investment Fund , as part of this year's Budget. Former police commissioner Andrew Coster heads the agency. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The fund is governed by the Social Investment Agency, led by former police commissioner Andrew Coster. Applications for the first round of funding will open on 25 August. To qualify, organisations need to be working with one, or more of, the following: "We know children who have had these experiences are more likely to experience poor outcomes and require significant social support throughout their lives," Coster said. Three initiatives have already been supported by the fund, including an Autism NZ early screening and intervention scheme, an Emerge Aotearoa youth offending programme, and a Te Tihi o Ruahine wraparound support initiative for families in need. The fund is expected to invest in at least 20 initiatives in its first year.
NZ Herald
25 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
The secret to being a good company director from Wayne Boyd, the man who's been on 167 boards
Speaking on the Money Talks podcast, we ask Boyd to explain what a company director does in a way a child (his grandchildren, perhaps) would understand. 'Well, you have to first persuade them that you're not the CEO of the company because that's their immediate default position,' he says. But his definition is very much to the point: 'Keeping an eye on managers, just as simple as that really.' Boyd grew up working-class in Wanganui. His father was a cooper (barrel maker) at the local freezing works. His mother worked at the hospital as a nurse's aide. It instilled a strong understanding of the value of money, which he carried with him as a director. 'I saw myself as a steward of other people's money. I made a decision to invest in the companies that I was chairing. And so I took that responsibility heavily. You want to get them an appropriate return for the investment they made.' Since stepping down from Vulcan Steel last November, Boyd, who was named a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King's Birthday Honours List, has been enjoying retirement. Boyd was never interested in management. His career started with a job as a lawyer in Hamilton for 16 years. A love of hockey led him to become the coach of the New Zealand women's team for the Olympics in 1984 and the World Cup in 1986. That experience inspired a career change to investment banking in Auckland in 1987 – not exactly the greatest timing. But he stuck with it and eventually his skills led to being offered board roles by the Government of the day. As an adviser first to the NZ Māori Council on the first major Treaty of Waitangi settlement, the 1992 'Sealord deal', he came to know Sir Tipene O'Regan and was a close adviser to Ngāi Tahu Holdings. Corporate roles followed. So what makes a good company director? 'You've got to have an open mind,' Boyd says. 'You don't learn the business by just reading the board papers.' You've got to get out and talk to the staff and ask them what keeps them awake, he says. 'You've got to have the ability to bring a diverse group of people at the board table together so that they're in a safe environment where they can actually say what they really do want to say about whatever the issue is of the day. 'I've always said you've got to have the courage to speak up.' Listen to the full episode to hear more from Wayne Boyd. Money Talks is a podcast run by the NZ Herald. It isn't about personal finance and isn't about economics – it's just well-known New Zealanders talking about money and sharing some stories about the impact it's had on their lives and how it has shaped them. The series is hosted by Liam Dann, business editor-at-large for the Herald. He is a senior writer and columnist, and also presents and produces videos and podcasts. He joined the Herald in 2003. Money Talks is available on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
RNZ News
25 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Skilled workers still battling for jobs after hundreds of applications
The unemployment rate has risen to a near-five year high of 5.2 percent as businesses either sack staff or stop hiring. Photo: RNZ A Christchurch man who has applied for hundreds of jobs without success says there are just no roles for people, even if they have skills and qualifications. The unemployment rate has risen to a near-five year high of 5.2 percent as businesses either sack staff or stop hiring], with 156,000 people out of work. Insurance adjustor James Brown moved to Brisbane after he was made redundant just over a year ago. He was still working there, but wanted to return home to his partner and children. Brown said it was incredibly stressful and depressing not even being able to get a call centre job in New Zealand. He said he knew of other white collar workers who were also struggling to find work and felt like there were no prospects and no way forward. Employers and Manufacturers Association head of advocacy Alan McDonald says there's been a spike in calls to its advice line about redundancies and restructures since March. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook Auckland's grim unemployment figures are no surpise to one of the city's business leaders. The latest figures show Auckland's 6.1 percent unemployment rate for the June 2025 quarter is the worst of all regions. About 15,000 more Aucklanders are without a job than this time last year. Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) head of advocacy Alan McDonald said while the agriculture industry was bolstering employment elsewhere, Auckland had different economic drivers. "Numbers from the Auckland Council Economic Unit indicated unemployment would be quite high [in the June quarter] and it has been for some time. "There are some signs of recovery but they're being led by the regional economy and primary sector and Auckland is more about manufacturing and services. "Hospitality, tourism, education sectors have all been down as well." McDonald said EMA had received a spike in calls to its advice line about redundancies and restructures since March. "We had hoped 5.1 [in December 2024] might be the bottom of Auckland's unemployment numbers, but we've been hearing from March until now that things are still very tight and very tough." He expected it would take some time for primary sector growth to benefit Auckland's economy. "It flows through quicker into Christchurch because it's the service sector for the [agriculture] industry ... Tauranga is picking up a bit on the back of exports. It takes a bit longer to reach its way into Auckland. "We're all getting a bit sick of waiting. But things are starting to turn ." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
