Australia’s High Commission in Cook Islands was established on 17 December 2019 and is a significant milestone in our growing relationship with Cook Islands. The High Commission’s establishment and signing of the Cooks Islands-Australia ‘Oa Tumanava partnership in 2022, has enhanced our co-operation in tourism, trade, investment and security and people-to people links.
People-to-people
Cook Islanders have made substantial contributions to Australia with at least 28,000 Cook Islands citizens living in Australia. Cook Island Prime Ministers, business people and government officials have graduated from Australian universities.
Economic Diversification
Economic diversification is a priority for Cook Islands, including developing marine resources within its large EEZ. Cook Islands is exploring the potential economic value of deep seabed minerals and approaching this matter with care to protect its oceans and fisheries.
Through PACER Plus, Australia has supported Cook Islands to establish closer economic integration with public and private partners throughout our region for unlocking more international trade and investment opportunities.
Security
Australia continues to cooperate closely with Cook Islands through the Pacific Maritime Security Program, and other regional security initiatives such as the Pacific Fusion Centre and the Australia Pacific Security College. In June 2022, Australia delivered a new Guardian-Class Patrol Boat, Te Kukupa II, equipping Cook Islands to protect its fisheries and patrol its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone.
Following the release of the Defence Strategic Review in 2023, the Australian Government committed to enhance its investment in the maritime security partnerships throughout the Pacific. This has enabled increased support to the PMSP, which is the cornerstone of Defence’s engagement in the Pacific. To fully access the enhanced support, Cook Islands signed a new Maritime Security Memorandum of Understanding on 01 October 2025.
Official Development Assistance (ODA) Graduation
Cook Islands graduated to high-income status on 1 January 2020 and has been ineligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA) since that date. Australia has allocated $8 million over four years in non-ODA funding for Cook Islands following its graduation from ODA-eligibility to assist Cook Islands to remain engaged in key regional activities, including the PACER Plus trade agreement, and support its economic resilience.