2026 in the Cook Islands
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Events in the year 2026 in the Cook Islands.
Incumbents
Events
January
- 15 January – Agence France Press reports that a growing "shadow fleet" of Russian and Chinese vessels were registering in the Cook Islands under flags of convenience for as little as a few thousand dollars.[1]
March
- 30 March – Cook Islands News reports that the islands territory only has 20 days of fuel stock due to global supply disruptions caused by the 2026 Iran War.[2]
April
- 2 April:
- New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Prime Minister Mark Brown sign a defence and security declaration. Peter also confirms that New Zealand would resume about NZ$29.8 million in annual aid funding to the islands territory, patching bilateral relations, which has been strained in 2025 by the Cook Islands signing a series of partnership agreements with China.[3]
- The Cook Islands Price Tribunal issues new orders raising the price of diesel on Rarotonga to $3.89 per litre and $3.44 per litre for octane petroleum. Petrol prices in the northern islands approach $5 per litre.[4]
June
- 18 June – Pone Apiatu, a fisherman from Pukapuka island who was missing at sea for a week, is by the crew of a Taiwanese fishing vessel after being secsighted by the crew of a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon patrol plane.[5]
August
- 12 August – 2026 Cook Islands general election[6][7]
- 28 August – A historic meeting of the leaders of the four constituent members of the Realm of New Zealand to discuss constitutional arrangements is held in Auckland. This meeting is attended by Prime Minister Brown, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Ulu-o-Tokelau Alapati Tavite and Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi.[8][9]
See also
References
- ↑ "New Zealand warned Pacific neighbour over oil smuggling 'shadow fleet'". France24. Agence France Press. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
A "shadow fleet" of 19 tankers suspected of smuggling oil for Russia and Iran was flagged by New Zealand with Cook Islands authorities in 2024, according to a confidential list obtained by AFP.
- ↑ Dasalusalu, Losirene (30 March 2026). "Cook Islands down to just 20 days of fuel stock as local suppliers warn of 'significant price increases'". RNZ. Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 1 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Palmer, Russell (2 April 2026). "Winston Peters signs defence and security declaration with Cook Islands PM Mark Brown". RNZ. Archived from the original on 2 April 2026. Retrieved 2 April 2026.
- ↑ McConnell, Glenn (3 April 2026). "Price controls have kept Rarotonga fuel prices in check, but for how much longer?". Stuff. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Penny (20 June 2026). "'I never gave up': partner overjoyed after missing Cook Is. fisher rescued". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 20 June 2026. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ Mika, Talaia (17 January 2026). "Parliament eyes 31 sitting days before 2026 election". Retrieved 21 January 2026.
Parliament exceeded its legal requirements by sitting for 22 days in 2025 and is projected to sit for 31 days in the first half of 2026 before dissolving for the general election.
- ↑ "Cook Islands General Election set for August 12". Cook Islands News. 25 June 2026. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ "Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau leaders meet Luxon for historic Realm talks in NZ". Pacific Media Network. 28 August 2026. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ Selby, Kaya (28 August 2026). "New Zealand says its ties with its Realm countries remain strong and stable". RNZ. Retrieved 30 August 2026.