Luxon Defends Cook Islands Port Deal | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Sep 2, 2026 · 2m

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is defending a major port upgrade in the Cook Islands, insisting it’s unrelated to US critical minerals interests—even as a US official hinted otherwise. The project, announced alongside US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, will allow larger ships—including military vessels—to access the deep lagoon, sparking geopolitical tensions amid US-China rivalry in the Pacific. Luxon, preparing to host the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, sees the moment as an opportunity to strengthen regional ties and reaffirm the forum’s role, despite…