Rarotonga, Cook Islands — 09 October 2025 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and the Cook Islands Police Service have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise and strengthen collaboration between the two agencies.
This MoU provides a framework for closer cooperation across key areas such as policy development, strategic planning, capacity building, data and intelligence sharing, and personnel secondments. Through this partnership, officers and officials will have opportunities to gain valuable experience and expertise by working together to address shared national priorities.
The agreement builds on existing partnerships within regional initiatives including the Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN), Operation Kotahi with the New Zealand Transnational Crime Unit, the Cook Islands National Intelligence Taskforce (CINIT), and the Combined Law Agency Group (CLAG). This MoU reinforces these collaborations and ensures greater coordination and responsiveness.
Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Josh Mitchell, commented, “In today’s complex security environment, collaboration is essential. This MoU reflects our commitment to working closely with the Police Service, strengthening our capacity to protect the Cook Islands and its people.”
Commissioner of Police Teokotai Joseph added that “The Police Service values highly its close working relationships with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and other agencies. In strengthening our capacity to meet the changing demands in the pursuit of peace and security at home and across the Region, we are pleased to contribute to building frameworks of cooperation where appropriate, and necessary, in the interests of our people.”
This MoU follows last week’s Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) agreement between the Governments of the Cook Islands and Australia, reflecting a growing network of domestic and regional security cooperation. MFAI and Police continue to work hand-in-hand in supporting these shared goals.
The agreement will remain in effect for three years, with provisions to review and update its terms as needed. Both agencies reaffirm their dedication to transparent, respectful, and effective cooperation for the benefit of all Cook Islanders.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Email: [email protected]
Cook Islands Police Service
Email: [email protected]