US, New Zealand to upgrade Cook Islands' Penrhyn port

The United States, the Cook Islands and New Zealand have announced a partnership to upgrade Penrhyn Port in the northern Cook Islands. The project will be co-funded by the United States and New Zealand.

Senior representatives of the three countries announced the plan in Palau ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau outlined the arrangement.

Under the funding plan, the US Department of State, working with Congress, intends to contribute USD $50 million, about NZD $84 million. New Zealand intends to contribute NZD $17.5 million, or about USD $10 million.

New Zealand will implement the project in coordination with the Cook Islands and the United States. The work centres on Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva, the northernmost island in the Cook Islands, where the port is in the village of Omoka.

The three governments described the upgrade as a major infrastructure project for the atoll. Improved port facilities are expected to enhance safety and security, expand transport links and support economic activity in the northern Cook Islands.

Funding structure

The financing mix gives Washington the larger share of the capital cost, while Wellington will lead delivery. This reflects New Zealand's existing role in Pacific infrastructure programmes and its close relationship with the Cook Islands, which is in free association with New Zealand.

The announcement also reflects growing focus from larger partners on transport and maritime infrastructure across the Pacific, where remote island communities often rely on ports and inter-island shipping for access to services, supplies and trade.

Peters described the agreement as a sign of alignment between the three governments.

“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,” said Winston Peters, Foreign Minister of New Zealand.

“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,” Peters said.

Strategic links

For the United States, the Penrhyn project also sits alongside a broader push to deepen ties with Pacific island countries. The announcement linked the port work to a Critical Minerals Framework agreed earlier this year between the United States and the Cook Islands.

Landau also referred to historical US links to the atoll, saying American personnel built Penrhyn's port and airstrip more than 80 years ago.

“This project underscores the United States' strong commitment to our partners in the Pacific and builds on the Critical Minerals Framework the United States and the Cook Islands agreed to earlier this year,” said Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States.

“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,” Landau said.

Local priority

For the Cook Islands government, the port upgrade addresses a practical transport need in one of the country's most remote communities. Penrhyn's location in the far north of the island group makes maritime access especially important for passengers, freight and connections to public services.

Brown said the wharf project would sit alongside domestic shipping investment and wider efforts to improve links with the outer islands, known locally as the Pa Enua.

“This port is a lifeline for Tongareva allowing for safer landings, better access to services, and stronger connections between our 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. We thank the United States and New Zealand for partnering with us to deliver on a priority our people have themselves identified,” said Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.

The project focuses on the port at Omoka on Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva, the northernmost island in the Cook Islands.