Cook Islands

He takes over from former deputy prime minister Robert Tapaitau, who lost his seat due to a corruption conviction late last month.

Several severe weather warnings for parts of the Cook Islands have now been cancelled according to the Cook Islands Meteorological Service.

A category one cyclone is expected to make landfall overnight in Rarotonga and heavy rain could cause flash flooding.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the Cook Islands should have the freedom to investigate deep sea mining before being criticised.

Keeping the Pacific nuclear-free, in line with the Rarotonga treaty, was a recurring theme from the leaders of Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa to New Zealand last week. Audio

A Cook Islands LGBTQI+ activist has been awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law. Audio

Tropical Cyclone Osai is the second cyclone in a week passing the Cook Islands, while there is an orange alert for parts of French Polynesia due to cyclone Nat.

Tropical Cyclone Nat is heading away from the Cook Islands and moving towards French Polynesia.

Tropical Cyclone Nat is passing through the Cook Islands with strong winds and heavy swell warnings in place for the southern group of islands.

Tropical depression (TD06F) has been upgraded to category 1 Tropical Cyclone Nat near the Cook Islands.