Cost of Living, Water Tariffs, Mining on Cook Islanders' Minds Ahead of Election

Cook Islands votes in election shaped by China, deep-sea mining

Leading challenger and former deputy prime minister Teariki Heather has pledged a referendum on the government’s policy.

Cost of living, water tariffs, mining on Cook Islanders' minds ahead of election

The Cook Islands goes to the polls this week for its four-yearly general election.

EXPLAINER - Cook Islands election emerges as test of China-West rivalry in Pacific

Wednesday’s vote will decide 24 parliamentary seats, but the contest is unfolding against a larger struggle involving China, New Zealand and the US

Cost of living, water tariffs, mining on Cook Islanders’ minds ahead of election

By Tiana Haxton of RNZ Pacific The Cook Islands goes to the polls this week for its four-yearly general election. Like all countries in the region, the Cooks has had its fair share of challenges due to global shocks in recent years, and there’s a sense that voters are looking for some stability, particularly around the cost of living The prime minister and leader of the Cook Islands Party, Mark Brown is in no doubt about the priority for people …