The United States and New Zealand signed an agreement on September 1, 2026, to co-fund a US$60 million port development on Penrhyn atoll in the Cook Islands. Announced at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, the project upgrades a former World War II military base to improve regional shipping and secure critical mineral supply chains.
The deal, signed by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, splits the cost of the project. Washington is contributing US$50 million, while Wellington will provide US$10 million and manage the construction process.
Penrhyn Atoll: A Strategic Return to a WWII Base
Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva, holds a deep military history for the United States. In 1942, US Navy Seabees began constructing a runway on the atoll, eventually adding two more. During the war, the base supported B-24 Liberator bombers and PBY Catalina flying boats with approximately 1,000 personnel before they departed in 1946. The current project returns the US to this specific site, located 1,800 miles south of Honolulu.
For the Cook Islands, the upgrade is framed as a necessity for survival and connectivity. Prime Minister Mark Brown described the port as a lifeline
for the Pa Enua, noting it will allow for safer landings and better access to services. He stated that the wharf upgrade complements domestic shipping investments and efforts to improve transport connections.
However, the strategic nature of the location is not lost on analysts. While the joint statement omitted mention of defense, Paul Buchanan, an American security analyst based in New Zealand, suggested the project aims to establish a forward military presence. Buchanan noted that the US likely seeks a naval base and tracking station in this remote region to counter the expanding [Chinese navy] presence in the region
.
The Critical Minerals Framework and Deep Sea Mining
Beyond shipping and security, the port is tied to the Critical Minerals Framework signed between the US and the Cook Islands in February. This framework focuses on developing secure and resilient supply chains for critical minerals. The interest is driven by the Penrhyn Basin, which contains a high density of polymetallic nodules including cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, and rare earths.
This focus on minerals has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups. Greenpeace Aotearoa has labeled the port a gross act of colonialism and resource grabbing, arguing it’s part of the US agenda to start deep sea mining in the Pacific. Spokesperson Juressa Lee argued that the minerals dredged would not serve a green transition but would instead be war minerals that serve US interests
. Greenpeace pointed to the recent exploration of the basin by the US research vessel Okeanos Explorer in July and August as evidence of this agenda.
Geopolitical Friction and the China Factor
The timing of the announcement at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau is significant, as the meeting has been marked by allegations of Chinese interference.
The current port deal follows a Defence and Security Declaration signed in April, which effectively sidelined China. Foreign Minister Winston Peters characterized the port partnership as a seminal moment
, suggesting it signals that New Zealand is back in the game looking after our part of the world
.
Financial and Operational Breakdown
| Contributor | Amount (USD) | Amount (NZD) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $50 million | ~$84 million | Funding |
| New Zealand | $10 million | millions | Funding & Project Management |
New Zealand’s role extends beyond funding; it is responsible for the defense of the Cook Islands. Under the recent security declaration, the NZ military has access to the Cooks’ exclusive economic zone to fulfill defense mandates. This suggests that while the Cook Islands will manage the port, the investment may facilitate military access for New Zealand and its partner, the US.
The project now moves toward construction, but the tension between economic development, mineral extraction, and geopolitical posturing remains. The central question is whether the port will function primarily as a civilian lifeline for the Pa Enua or as a strategic outpost for the US and NZ to monitor and limit Chinese influence in the South Pacific.
