The U.S. has struck a deal with the Cook Islands to help capitalize on the island nation's critical mineral potential.

The United States has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed mineral exploration and development, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday.

Lawmakers in the Cook Islands on Friday approved a bill that decriminalizes consensual same-sex sexual relations in the South Pacific country. The Cook Islands News reported the Crimes (Sexual ...

The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. Wellington provides it with aid and assistance and islanders have New Zealand citizenship.

Under their 60-year-old agreement, the Cook Islands is self governing in "free association" with New Zealand. The two countries are expected to consult each other over issues of defence and security.

The Cook Islands has no intention of leaving its special relationship with New Zealand, Prime Minister Mark Brown says.

One bright spot is the country’s vast seabed mineral deposits. The Cook Islands is reckoned to have up to a sixth of the world’s reserves of cobalt, an element used in batteries and jet engines.

The Cook Islands in the South Pacific is considering a name change to reflect its Polynesian heritage. The nation was named after British explorer James Cook who landed on the islands in the 1700s.