Cook Islands, New Zealand

Cook Islands Prime Minister, the Hon. Mark Brown, has spoken of the need for the Cook Islands' voice to be heard at the highest levels of inter-government global gatherings, and to be able to participate autonomously in relevant multilateral development entities such as the IMF.

The Prime Minister made the remarks on 8 June 2023, at an evening reception hosted by New Zealand High Commissioner, Her Excellency, Tui Dewes, in honour of the visit of New Zealand's Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro, to the Cook Islands.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2 June 2023 - The Cook Islands Government has welcomed additional budget support of NZ$15 million from the Government of New Zealand to support the Cook Islands' economic recovery efforts as the Cook Islands continue to expand airlinks and increase air uplift while grappling with supply-side constraints and inflationary pressures exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Honourable Mark Brown, hosted Kairangi Samuela and her family last week at the Prime Minister's Office.

Ms Samuela takes up a three-year posting as High Commissioner to New Zealand and Head of Mission of the Cook Islands High Commission in Wellington.