Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown; New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peters and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau have signalled their intention to partner to deliver a $101.5 million port upgrade on the island of Penrhyn in the northern Cook Islands.
The Ministers announced the project, which will be co-funded by the US and New Zealand governments, ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau.
The US Department of State, working with Congress, will contribute $50 million USD (approximately $NZ84 million) and New Zealand will contribute $NZ17.5 million (approximately US$10 million).
Mr Peters said New Zealand will implement the project in close coordination with the Cook Islands and the United States.
“This is a positive and hugely significant initiative that demonstrates the strength of New Zealand’s partnerships with both the Cook Islands and the United States,” Mr Peters says.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner with the United States and the Cook Islands Governments to deliver this development priority for the Cook Islands, drawing on New Zealand’s experience in infrastructure delivery across the Pacific.”
Deputy Secretary Landau said the project underscores the United States’ strong commitment to its partners in the Pacific and builds on the Critical Minerals Framework the United States and the Cook Islands agreed to earlier this year.
“It also highlights our historic ties to Penrhyn atoll, where U.S. personnel constructed Penrhyn’s port and airstrip over 80 years ago. Through transformational infrastructure initiatives such as this, we are making the United States and our partners safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” he said.
Prime Minister Brown said the port is a lifeline for Tongareva allowing for safer landings, better access to services, and stronger connections between Pa Enua and the world.
“This wharf upgrade complements our new domestic shipping investments and our own efforts in improving transport connections for our Pa Enua,” he said.
“We thank the United States and New Zealand for partnering with us to deliver on a priority our people have themselves identified.”
Penrhyn (also called Tongareva) is the northernmost island in the Cook Islands and its port is at the village of Omoka. Upgraded port facilities will deliver safety and security benefits, as well as expanding transport links and economic opportunities for the northern Cook Islands.
