New Zealand and the United States are joining forces to upgrade a World War II-era port on the Pacific island nation of the Cook Islands. In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the three governments announced this collaboration, seen as part of Western countries’ efforts to enhance cooperation in the Pacific region in response to China’s expanding influence in the area.
According to reports from Reuters, the United States plans to provide $50 million, while New Zealand will contribute NZ$17.5 million (approximately $10 million USD) towards the project on Penrhyn Island, also known as Tongareva, in the port of Omoka. The two countries will work closely with the Cook Islands to oversee the execution of the project.
The statement highlighted that the port upgrade aims to enhance safety for vessels docking, improve access to services for residents, and strengthen transportation and economic connections in the northern region of the Cook Islands.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that the port and airstrip on Penrhyn Island were initially built by Americans over eighty years ago, and were used during World War II for transporting personnel and supplies. He emphasized that through transformative infrastructure projects like this, the United States and its partners are enhancing security, strength, and prosperity.
This project builds upon a key mineral cooperation framework signed earlier this year with the Cook Islands, according to Landau.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown noted that the port project embodies economic resilience as it will promote the development of emerging industries such as potential deep-sea mineral extraction and enhancement of fishing capabilities. He highlighted the significance of this project as the northernmost port in the country.
Analysts suggest that this investment comes at a time when the United States, Australia, and New Zealand are seeking to counter China’s comprehensive infiltration and expansion in the security, diplomatic, and economic domains in the Pacific region, making Pacific island nations a new battleground in the struggle between the West and China.
In recent years, China has been expanding its presence across the entire Pacific region through infrastructure development, trade, and security agreements, strengthening ties with these countries. In February 2025, the Cook Islands signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with China, covering areas such as infrastructure, maritime affairs, and deep-sea minerals.
The comprehensive cooperation agreement between China and the Cook Islands previously caused diplomatic tensions between the Cook Islands and New Zealand. The Cook Islands currently maintain a “free association” relationship with New Zealand, in which Cook Islands residents hold New Zealand citizenship, but the two countries consult on diplomatic matters with each other.
New Zealand criticized the Cook Islands for not consulting sufficiently before signing the agreement with China and subsequently suspended NZ$18.2 million in development aid to the Cook Islands.
However, relations between the two countries have gradually improved. In April this year, the Cook Islands and New Zealand signed a defense and security declaration, further clarifying their consultation methods in defense and security matters.
New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, expressed that the relationship between these “cousin” countries has been restored to its best state ever following the announcement of this cooperative project.
When asked about whether China had plans to fund the upgrading of the Penrhyn Island airstrip, Peters asserted that such a situation “would never happen” due to the special relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.