The United States and New Zealand are jointly funding a major upgrade of the port at Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva, in the northern Cook Islands, in a project aimed at improving maritime connectivity, safety and economic access for the remote island.
The United States plans to provide US$50 million, while New Zealand will contribute NZ$17.5 million (about US$10 million). New Zealand will implement the project in close coordination with the Cook Islands and the United States.
Port to Improve Ship Landings
The port is located at Omoka village on Penrhyn Atoll and serves as a critical maritime lifeline for the island. The planned improvements are expected to make ship landings safer and improve the handling and delivery of essential supplies, including fuel, food and construction materials.
The upgrade will also strengthen transport links between Penrhyn and other islands in the northern Cook Islands, improving access to services and supporting local economic activity.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown described the port as a lifeline for Tongareva and said the project responds to a long-standing need for safe and reliable maritime infrastructure.
Feasibility Study to Define Scope
The three governments have agreed that the detailed scope and implementation arrangements will be determined through a feasibility study and further technical work.
The Cook Islands government is also expected to participate in the project’s delivery, with local involvement envisaged across design, procurement, construction and the long-term operation of the upgraded facility.
New Zealand will take the lead in implementing the infrastructure project, drawing on its experience delivering infrastructure programmes across the Pacific.
Strategic Pacific Location
Penrhyn has additional strategic significance because of its location in the central Pacific and its large surrounding exclusive economic zone. The United States has highlighted the project as part of its broader engagement with Pacific island partners and linked it to a critical-minerals cooperation framework signed with the Cook Islands earlier this year.
The port and airfield on Penrhyn were originally constructed by the United States during World War II, giving the new investment a historic dimension as Washington returns to support infrastructure development on the atoll.
Boost for Northern Cook Islands Connectivity
For the Cook Islands, the project is primarily focused on improving essential maritime connectivity. A more reliable port is expected to reduce difficulties associated with ship landings and strengthen the flow of goods to one of the country’s most remote communities.
The investment also complements the Cook Islands’ own efforts to improve domestic shipping and transport connections across its outer islands.
With the feasibility and technical assessment now to follow, the Penrhyn port project is expected to become a significant new infrastructure development linking the Cook Islands more effectively with regional maritime networks.