Key facts
- New Zealand and the U.S. will jointly fund a major upgrade of a port on the Cook Islands' Penrhyn atoll.
- The U.S. will contribute $50 million and New Zealand NZ$17.5 million to the project.
- The upgrade aims to improve safety, access to services, and economic links for the northern Cook Islands.
- The project is seen as part of Western efforts to counter China's influence in the Pacific region.
New Zealand and the United States have announced a joint funding initiative to upgrade a World War Two-era port located on the Cook Islands' Penrhyn atoll. The U.S. is set to contribute $50 million, while New Zealand will provide NZ$17.5 million (approximately $10 million) for the project, which will be implemented in coordination with the Cook Islands government.
The upgrade at Omoka village on Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva, is designed to enhance the safety of ship landings, improve access to essential services, and strengthen transportation and economic connections for the northern islands. The port and an associated airstrip were originally built by American personnel over 80 years ago to support operations during World War Two.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that such infrastructure initiatives contribute to making the United States and its partners safer, stronger, and more prosperous. He also noted that the project builds upon a critical-minerals framework established earlier this year with the Cook Islands.
This investment comes amid increased efforts by the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand to counterbalance China's growing diplomatic, economic, and security presence in the Pacific. Small island nations in the region have become increasingly significant in the competition for strategic influence.
China has been actively engaging with the region through infrastructure, trade, and security agreements. In February 2025, the Cook Islands entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, covering areas such as infrastructure, maritime issues, and seabed minerals. This agreement led to a dispute with New Zealand, with which the Cook Islands has a free association agreement. Wellington expressed that it had not been adequately consulted on the deal and subsequently paused NZ$18.2 million in development funding. Relations have since improved, with the Cook Islands and New Zealand signing a defence and security declaration to clarify consultation processes on such matters.