Rarotonga, November 13, 2024 – Senior officials from the Cook Islands and Australia convened in Canberra on 31 October for the Senior Officials Roundtable (SORT). Discussions centered on advancing goals under the ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership Agreement, signed by the two governments in 2022.
The past two years have seen heightened engagement between the two governments at political and senior-official levels, supporting expanded cooperation in several areas, including security and defence (policing and border security), tourism, business, sports, health, education, superannuation portability, fisheries, seabed minerals, agriculture, community broadcasting, and people-to-people ties.
“SORT discussions were constructive, allowing us to review advances in bilateral cooperation over the past two years that have directly contributed to the security and prosperity of the Cook Islands,” said Secretary Herrmann. “Among the milestones are the strengthening of our security and defence capabilities through the upgrade to the Police Service Maritime Surveillance Centre and Te Kukupa 2 Guardian-class patrol vessel; extending Jetstar services to the Cook Islands from three to four direct flights a week starting March 2025, adding another 24,000 seats annually; completion of superannuation portability negotiations; and a range of other achievements across various sectors.”
SORT outcomes included a commitment to progress discussions related to the Enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP-E) Memorandum of Understanding, which supports the Cook Islands’ Te Kukupa 2 vessel, including onshore support and training needs, as well as cooperation in current and emerging areas of interest.
“The establishment of Australia’s High Commission in Rarotonga has focused Australia’s partnership efforts with the Cook Islands. Establishing a Cook Islands High Commission in Canberra could further catalyse expansion in cooperation,” said Secretary Herrmann. “The last Australian census recorded 28,000 Cook Islanders living in Australia, many with Australian citizenship, whose notable contributions enrich Australia’s economy and society. The completion of superannuation portability arrangements will be welcomed by those with plans to return home. The Cook Islands have a keen interest in partnering with Australia on maritime infrastructure projects, building on existing national and regional assets through Te Kukupa 2 and the Maritime Surveillance Centre, and we will continue exploring with Australia how that investment might be supported.”
Education, health, sports, and tourism were particular focus areas for this year’s SORT, aligned with the Cook Islands’ national development goals. Further discussions at the line agency level are planned in the coming months.
This year marks 30 years since the formalisation of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Cook Islands delegation was led by Secretary of Foreign Affairs & Immigration Tepaeru Herrmann, with support from Secretary of Health Bob Williams, Secretary of Education Owen Lewis, Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, and National Security Director Maara Tetava from the Office of the Prime Minister. Australia’s delegation was led by Elizabeth Peak, Head of the Office of the Pacific within the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), supported by senior officials from DFAT, including Australia’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Phoebe Smith, along with representatives from national security, health, education, and tourism agencies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration (MFAI) acknowledges with appreciation DFAT’s Canberra Fellowships Program and High Commissioner Smith for their support leading up to and during the mission.
Note: ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership Agreement: MFAI website | DFAT website
Queries regarding this media release can be directed to [email protected]Rarotonga, November 13, 2024 – Senior officials from the Cook Islands and Australia convened in Canberra on 31 October for the Senior Officials Roundtable (SORT). Discussions centered on advancing goals under the ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership Agreement, signed by the two governments in 2022.
The past two years have seen heightened engagement between the two governments at political and senior-official levels, supporting expanded cooperation in several areas, including security and defence (policing and border security), tourism, business, sports, health, education, superannuation portability, fisheries, seabed minerals, agriculture, community broadcasting, and people-to-people ties.
“SORT discussions were constructive, allowing us to review advances in bilateral cooperation over the past two years that have directly contributed to the security and prosperity of the Cook Islands,” said Secretary Herrmann. “Among the milestones are the strengthening of our security and defence capabilities through the upgrade to the Police Service Maritime Surveillance Centre and Te Kukupa 2 Guardian-class patrol vessel; extending Jetstar services to the Cook Islands from three to four direct flights a week starting March 2025, adding another 24,000 seats annually; completion of superannuation portability negotiations; and a range of other achievements across various sectors.”
SORT outcomes included a commitment to progress discussions related to the Enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP-E) Memorandum of Understanding, which supports the Cook Islands’ Te Kukupa 2 vessel, including onshore support and training needs, as well as cooperation in current and emerging areas of interest.
“The establishment of Australia’s High Commission in Rarotonga has focused Australia’s partnership efforts with the Cook Islands. Establishing a Cook Islands High Commission in Canberra could further catalyse expansion in cooperation,” said Secretary Herrmann. “The last Australian census recorded 28,000 Cook Islanders living in Australia, many with Australian citizenship, whose notable contributions enrich Australia’s economy and society. The completion of superannuation portability arrangements will be welcomed by those with plans to return home. The Cook Islands have a keen interest in partnering with Australia on maritime infrastructure projects, building on existing national and regional assets through Te Kukupa 2 and the Maritime Surveillance Centre, and we will continue exploring with Australia how that investment might be supported.”
Education, health, sports, and tourism were particular focus areas for this year’s SORT, aligned with the Cook Islands’ national development goals. Further discussions at the line agency level are planned in the coming months.
This year marks 30 years since the formalisation of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Cook Islands delegation was led by Secretary of Foreign Affairs & Immigration Tepaeru Herrmann, with support from Secretary of Health Bob Williams, Secretary of Education Owen Lewis, Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, and National Security Director Maara Tetava from the Office of the Prime Minister. Australia’s delegation was led by Elizabeth Peak, Head of the Office of the Pacific within the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), supported by senior officials from DFAT, including Australia’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Phoebe Smith, along with representatives from national security, health, education, and tourism agencies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration (MFAI) acknowledges with appreciation DFAT’s Canberra Fellowships Program and High Commissioner Smith for their support leading up to and during the mission.
Note: ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership Agreement: MFAI website | DFAT website
Queries regarding this media release can be directed to [email protected]