AGP Executive Report

Ocean Science & Sovereignty: NOAA’s 26-day ROV expedition in the Cook Islands EEZ wrapped up in Rarotonga with 14 dives, 400+ samples, and new mapping plus biological finds—some possibly new to science—while also confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields, feeding the wider Pacific debate over deep-sea mining. Bilateral Tech & Security: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly met caretaker PM Mark Brown to push closer U.S–Cook Islands cooperation, including ocean science, maritime security, and economic opportunities. Humanitarian Law: Cook Islands officials joined a Brisbane roundtable of Pacific states and Red Cross partners to strengthen international humanitarian law at home, including plans to revive the national coordination committee. Policy & Environment: A Natural Environment Bill legislative statement and second reading in New Zealand highlighted moves to cut compliance costs while keeping the core planning system intact—relevant for regional environmental governance discussions. Diplomacy: India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muanpuii Saiawi, was concurrently accredited as High Commissioner to Niue, with earlier concurrent accreditation to the Cook Islands. Research in the Region: Japanese archaeologists began a first research visit to Nassau, using excavation and local oral histories to explore plantation-era timelines. Governance & Long-Term Planning: A Pacific youth advocate backed a Future Generations Act, arguing it must be written with young Pacific voices, not just for them.

Humanitarian Law Push: Cook Islands reaffirmed its commitment to international humanitarian law at a Brisbane roundtable, pledging to strengthen domestic policies and restart its national coordination committee, with Red Cross and MFAI representatives joining 12 Pacific countries and ICRC partners. Ocean Science & Sovereignty: A 26-day NOAA ROV expedition in the western Cook Islands mapped seabed areas and collected 400+ samples, including 23+ biological specimens, while confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields—data meant to support ocean management and inform deep-sea mining debates. Diplomatic Moves: India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muanpuii Saiawi, has been concurrently accredited to Niue (residing in Wellington), and the U.S. ambassador met PM Mark Brown to discuss closer cooperation on ocean science, maritime security, and economic opportunities. Policy & Environment: The Natural Environment Bill advanced in legislative statements/second reading, aiming to improve certainty and cut compliance costs while reshaping environmental management. Research in Nassau: A Japanese team visited Nassau to explore plantation history and oral accounts, using student-led excavation and potential charcoal testing to date layers.

U.S.–Cook Islands ties: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly met caretaker PM Mark Brown to discuss deeper cooperation on ocean science, maritime security, and economic opportunities, arguing distance shouldn’t limit Pacific partnership. Deep-sea research push: NOAA’s 26-day Okeanos Explorer mission in the Cook Islands EEZ completed 14 ROV dives, gathering 400+ samples and mapping seamounts and plains, with officials highlighting “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule findings and new marine life that could shape future ocean management and sovereignty decisions. Future generations law: Youth advocate Tyler Oroanu backs a Future Generations Act but says it must be written with young Pacific voices, as a survey shows strong public support across political lines. Maritime fraud warning: Kyrgyz Republic warned the IMO about false-flag misuse tied to its shipping register efforts, urging member states to prevent unauthorized use of its state flag. Regional science diplomacy: Japanese researchers visited Nassau to excavate plantation layers and use oral histories to help date sites, training local students in the process.

Deep-Sea Science & Sovereignty: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer wrapped a 26-day ROV expedition in the Cook Islands EEZ, running 14 dives, collecting 400+ samples, and mapping seamounts and abyssal plains—while confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields and finding high-density mineral deposits, with some specimens possibly new to science. Local Impact & Policy Pressure: Researchers say the biological baseline can help communities make ocean resource decisions, but the findings land amid wider Pacific debate over whether deep-sea mining should proceed. Election & Tech-Adjacent Geopolitics: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown is set for another term after the election, despite a row with New Zealand over China-linked deals that include seabed mineral research—an issue voters weighed alongside cost-of-living concerns. Archaeology in Nassau: A Japanese team made its first research visit to Nassau, excavating a plantation site with students and using charcoal testing plans to date layers tied to oral histories of Te Tini voyagers. Governance & Environment (NZ): New Zealand’s Natural Environment Bill advanced to second reading, aiming to cut compliance costs while keeping the core planning system architecture.

Deep-Sea Science in the Cook Islands: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer wrapped a 26-day ROV mission in the western Cook Islands, running 14 dives, collecting 400+ samples and 23+ biological specimens (some possibly new to science) while mapping seamounts, abyssal plains and the Manihiki Plateau—data meant to support local ocean management and help communities weigh deep-seabed mineral decisions. Seabed Mining Stakes: The expedition’s findings land amid rising regional debate over polymetallic nodules and whether deep-sea mining should proceed, with new mineral field reports adding fuel to sovereignty and environmental concerns. Regional Tech Diplomacy: At COP17’s Bureau meeting, parties—including the Cook Islands—took stock of science and technology work tied to land degradation and drought, and discussed future cooperation. Local Politics Meets Tech Policy: Cook Islands election coverage highlights how voters are weighing China ties and seabed mineral research alongside cost-of-living issues, while New Zealand’s Natural Environment Bill advances through a second reading aimed at cutting compliance costs and improving environmental planning implementation. Pacific Climate Skills: A Samoan student won a University of Waikato climate scholarship, underscoring growing Pacific demand for practical climate training.

Deep-Sea Science & Sovereignty: NOAA’s 26-day Okeanos Explorer mission in the western Cook Islands wrapped up after 14 remotely operated dives, collecting 400+ samples and 23+ biological specimens, with some possibly new to science, and adding seabed mapping data for local ocean management. Minerals Spotlight: The same expedition reported “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields and even higher-density deposits than expected, feeding into the wider regional debate over deep-sea mining. Politics & Tech Policy: As the Cook Islands heads into a general election, coverage links the vote to deep-sea mining plans and China ties, with analysts saying cost-of-living concerns may be driving decisions even as seabed research and diplomacy remain hot topics. Regional Climate Push: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger Pacific climate action ahead of COP31, prioritising climate finance, renewables, ocean-climate work, and Pacific leadership—while noting the Cook Islands attended at senior officials level. Global Land-Use Talks: COP17 Bureau updates highlighted ongoing work on land degradation and drought, including progress across science and technology and implementation review tracks.

NOAA Deep-Sea Update: A 26-day NOAA expedition (Okeanos Explorer) has returned to Rarotonga after 14 ROV dives in the western Cook Islands, gathering 400+ samples and 23+ biological specimens, with some possibly new to science, plus new seabed mapping to support local ocean management. Seabed Mining Stakes: The same work also points to “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields, feeding an ongoing regional debate over whether deep-sea mining should proceed in the Cook Islands EEZ. Election & Geopolitics: Cook Islands voters head to a general election shaped by cost of living, but also by Mark Brown’s China ties and deep-sea mining plans—issues that have strained relations with New Zealand and could still influence coalition talks. Regional Climate Push: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger Pacific climate action ahead of COP31, endorsing Pre-COP31 meetings and priorities like climate finance and the ocean-climate link, with the Cook Islands attending at senior officials level. Health & Accountability: A coroner’s findings into Blake Williams’ death cites shortcomings in hospital treatment, adding pressure for better mental health and medication safety.

Deep-Sea Research: A 26-day NOAA ROV expedition in Cook Islands waters mapped the seabed and pulled biological samples, confirming “vast, rich” polymetallic nodule fields even where scientists didn’t expect high-density deposits. Mineral Science: A follow-up NOAA report says megalodon teeth recovered from the seafloor can act as growth “nuclei” for nodules, helping track rare-earth signatures tied to ancient deep-water circulation. Election & Tech-Policy: Cook Islands voters head to the polls in a race shaped by China ties and deep-sea mining plans, with cost of living and water tariffs also driving debate. Regional Geopolitics: Japan is intensifying Pacific engagement—mixing development, climate resilience, disaster support, maritime cooperation, and growing security assistance. Climate Diplomacy: Forum foreign ministers backed a stronger climate push ahead of COP31, prioritising climate finance, renewables, and Pacific leadership. Mental Health & Care: A coroner’s findings into Blake Williams’ death cite shortcomings in hospital treatment, including drug toxicity after persistent mental health struggles.

Cook Islands Election: Prime Minister Mark Brown is set for a fifth straight term, with preliminary results pointing to the Cook Islands Party winning 18 seats and a supermajority after independents back the government—despite a diplomatic row with New Zealand over Brown’s China-linked deals. Cost of Living & Water: Campaign focus is shifting to everyday pressures, with voters weighing welfare and pay recovery claims against opposition plans to remove or reshape Rarotonga water use tariffs. China vs. the West: Multiple reports frame the vote as a test of how the small island nation manages intensifying China–Western competition, after Beijing partnerships and seabed mining plans strained ties with Wellington. Deep-Sea Mining Tech & Science: NOAA’s EX2605 expedition highlights how megalodon teeth can act as nuclei for nodule growth, feeding into rare-earth signature research tied to the seabed minerals race. Regional Climate Push: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, including more climate finance, renewables investment, and Pacific-led Pre-COP31 meetings—keeping ocean-climate priorities front and centre. Critical Minerals Policy: US moves to secure critical minerals are echoed in Pacific debates, while seabed mining safeguards remain stalled amid corporate pressure and geopolitics. Local Politics Commentary: Opposition disunity and election strategy are also in the spotlight, with analysts saying fragmentation may preserve the status quo.

Deep-Sea Mining & Critical Minerals Politics: The Cook Islands election is underway, with voters weighing Mark Brown’s China-linked deals and his push for deep-sea mining against challenger Teariki Heather’s call for a referendum, while the campaign also turns on cost of living and water tariffs. NOAA Ocean Science: NOAA’s EX2605 expedition has wrapped up, finding megalodon teeth that appear to act as nuclei for Cook Islands nodule growth—key for understanding how deep-water circulation changed over millions of years. Regional Climate Diplomacy: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, prioritising climate finance, renewable investment, ocean-climate links, and Pacific leadership through Pre-COP31 meetings. Digital Inclusion: Maureen Hilyard argues digital inclusion is a human issue—start with what people need (education, health, family ties), then build connectivity that actually delivers. US Critical Minerals Push: A new Trump executive order signals faster moves to secure critical minerals for defense supply chains, with American Samoa reiterating it can’t control federal waters but can shape engagement. Industry Leadership: American Ocean Minerals appointed Paul Warmé as CFO as it advances a deep-sea nodules critical-minerals supply chain. Scholarships: A Samoan student won a University of Waikato climate scholarship to return home and tackle Pacific climate impacts.

Climate Scholarships: A Samoan student, Lagi Talalupe (19), is one of three 2026 Tower Climate Change Scholarship recipients at the University of Waikato, aiming to return home to tackle climate impacts in Samoa after studying the Bachelor of Climate Change. Deep-Sea Mining & Politics: As the Cook Islands heads to a general election, coverage frames the vote as a test of public appetite for deep-sea mining and the country’s China ties, with Mark Brown defending his record and challenger Teariki Heather pushing a referendum; separate reporting also highlights campaign pressure around cost of living and water tariffs. Seabed Mining Scrutiny: A letter challenges a seabed-mining poll headline, arguing the sample was too small and the question was narrower than “opposed to seabed mining.” NOAA Expedition Science: NOAA’s EX2605 expedition reports megalodon teeth recovered from Cook Islands nodule fields, suggesting the teeth can act as nuclei for nodule growth—key for understanding deep-water history. Regional Climate Diplomacy: Forum foreign ministers back a stronger climate push ahead of COP31, prioritising climate finance, renewables investment, and Pacific leadership. Digital Inclusion: Maureen Hilyard argues digital inclusion is a human issue, not just technology, drawing on Cook Islands experience.

Climate Scholarships: A Samoan student, Lagi Talalupe (19), is one of three recipients of the 2026 Tower Climate Change Scholarship at the University of Waikato, aiming to return home to tackle climate impacts in Samoa through the university’s Bachelor of Climate Change. Deep-Sea Mining & Politics: As the Cook Islands heads to a general election, coverage frames the vote as a test of public appetite for deep-sea mining and China-linked diplomacy, with Mark Brown defending his record and challengers pushing for a referendum; separate reporting also highlights cost of living, water tariffs, and mining as top voter concerns. NOAA Ocean Science: NOAA’s EX2605 expedition is wrapping up, with megalodon teeth recovered from Cook Islands nodule fields found to act as growth nuclei for polymetallic nodules—key for understanding deep-water circulation over millions of years. Regional Climate Push: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger Pacific climate action ahead of COP31, calling for more climate finance, renewables investment, and Pacific leadership at Pre-COP31 meetings. Digital Inclusion: Maureen Hilyard argues digital inclusion is a human issue, stressing connectivity must match what people actually need—an approach drawn from Cook Islands experience.

Deep-Sea Science & Critical Minerals: NOAA’s EX2605 expedition is wrapping up, and its standout find is that ancient megalodon shark teeth recovered near the Cook Islands nodule fields often acted as the “nuclei” around which polymetallic nodules formed—key for understanding how Pacific deep-water circulation changed over millions of years. Election Tech & Policy: As the Cook Islands heads to a general election, voters are weighing deep-sea mining plans alongside China-linked diplomacy, with campaigns also focused on practical services like cost of living and Rarotonga water tariffs. Digital Inclusion: Internet governance advocate Maureen Hilyard says digital inclusion is a human issue—learn what communities actually need (education, health, family links) and build connectivity around those outcomes, drawing on her Cook Islands experience. Regional Climate Push: Pacific Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, endorsing a Pacific-led push for climate finance, renewable investment, and ocean-climate priorities—relevant for island tech and resilience planning. Seabed Mining Debate: A letter challenges a “majority oppose seabed mining” poll framing, arguing the sample was tiny and the question wording matters—fueling continued scrutiny of how exploration and mining risks are communicated.

Cook Islands Election: Voting begins this week in a high-stakes race shaped by deep-sea mining and China ties, with PM Mark Brown defending his deals and challenger Teariki Heather pushing for a referendum on seabed mining. Local Cost Pressures: RNZ reports cost of living and water tariffs are front and centre, with opposition proposing removal of residential and agricultural water use charges on Rarotonga. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: A poll headline sparked a letter arguing the sample was tiny and the question was framed around mining “in five years,” not opposition to mining itself. NOAA Ocean Science: A NOAA expedition (EX2605) says megalodon shark teeth recovered from the Cook Islands nodule fields may be the mineral “nuclei” around which nodules formed, linking deep-water circulation history to rare-earth signatures. Digital Inclusion: Internet governance expert Maureen Hilyard says digital inclusion is a human issue—connectivity should serve education, health, and family links, especially in outer islands. Regional Climate Push: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, endorsing Pacific-led Pre-COP31 meetings and climate finance priorities.

Cook Islands Election Tech & Resources: As Cook Islands voters head to the polls, coverage frames the race as a test of how the country balances cost-of-living pressures, water tariffs, and the polarising push for deep-sea mining—while also navigating China-West rivalry and diplomatic fallout tied to Beijing deals. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: A new poll and follow-up letters are sparking arguments over what “opposition” actually means, with critics saying the sample is too small and the question wording too narrow; meanwhile, environmental and political voices keep urging caution and clearer guardrails as exploration plans expand. NOAA Ocean Science: NOAA’s EX2605 expedition is wrapping up, with megalodon teeth recovered from the seafloor described as key “nuclei” for nodule growth—aimed at reading rare-earth signatures to track deep-water circulation changes over millions of years. Digital Inclusion: Internet governance expert Maureen Hilyard highlights that digital inclusion is fundamentally human—centred on education, health, and opportunity—drawing lessons from remote Cook Islands connectivity work. Regional Climate Push: Pacific Forum foreign ministers endorsed stronger climate action ahead of COP31, backing climate finance, renewable investment, and an ocean-climate focus, with the Cook Islands attending at senior officials level. Business & Finance: American Ocean Minerals appoints Paul Warmé as CFO as deep-sea critical minerals companies build investor-facing finance capacity.

Deep-sea mining & election: The Cook Islands begins voting in a general election widely seen as a referendum on deep-sea mining and on how far Prime Minister Mark Brown should deepen ties with China, with New Zealand’s aid freeze and a push for a mining referendum shaping the campaign. NOAA ocean science: NOAA’s EX2605 expedition is wrapping up, reporting rare megalodon shark teeth recovered from the Cook Islands seabed that appear to have acted as nuclei for nodule growth—findings that could help track deep-water circulation over millions of years. Seabed mining debate at home: A letter challenges a “majority oppose seabed mining” poll headline, arguing the sample was tiny and the question was narrower than implied. Climate diplomacy: Forum foreign ministers backed stronger regional climate action ahead of COP31, including more climate finance, renewable investment, and Pacific-led momentum through Pre-COP31 meetings. Digital inclusion: A Pacific-focused interview highlights digital inclusion as a human issue, stressing connectivity that supports education, health, and family links. Internet governance & AI: A Pacific brief argues Pacific countries can use AI and digital public infrastructure to guide inclusive digital transformation. Language revival: Cook Islands Māori Language Week spotlights urgent efforts to reconnect families with te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani as knowledge is reported at around 3% among New Zealand-born Cook Islanders.