Op-Ed | Faith, Oceans, and Deception: The Hidden Cost of the Cook Islands-Tonga Alliance
By Melino Maka, Political and Economic Commentator on Tonga and Pacific Affairs Tonga Independent News
Subhead: As Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of self-rule, troubling questions arise about deep sea mining, Pacific unity, and the silence of Forum leadership.
As the Cook Islands celebrates the 60th anniversary of its self-governance, the occasion has drawn high-level regional and international attention, including a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Mark Brown and his Tongan counterpart, Dr. Aisake Eke—who currently serves as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).
While the official communique from Rarotonga spoke of strengthening regional cooperation, ocean sustainability, and Pacific solidarity, one issue remained noticeably absent from the public remarks: deep sea mining (DSM)—a deeply controversial and consequential matter now confronting the region.
Contracts Signed, Communities Left in the Dark
Both the Cook Islands and Tonga have already signed contracts to support seabed mining activities. In Tonga’s case, the contract was signed under the late Prime Minister Dr. Pohiva Tu’ionetoa, raising serious concerns about transparency and long-term consequences. Alarmingly, according to independent experts, the terms of these agreements shield the mining companies from any responsibility for environmental damage.
Why would any Pacific government accept such terms?
The answer lies in short-term incentives and entrenched interests. In Tonga, a number of officials and political actors are known to have close ties to seabed mining proponents. The promise of economic benefit—often presented in vague or inflated terms—has been used to justify what could be irreversible damage to marine ecosystems that Pacific peoples depend on for their livelihoods, cultures, and futures.
A Growing Backlash from the Grassroots
The tide, however, is turning. In a recent public consultation in Tonga, civil society organisations, youth leaders, faith groups, and community elders overwhelmingly rejected deep sea mining. The mood was not one of mild concern—it was one of moral urgency and determined resistance.
These voices are now demanding that their leaders act with transparency and uphold the regional commitment to the “Blue Pacific” narrative—one that prioritizes ocean stewardship, sustainability, and intergenerational responsibility.
Forum Chair Must Reaffirm the Pause
As Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister Dr. Aisake Eke holds a critical leadership role at this juncture. The PIF’s agreed position is unambiguous: no deep sea mining should proceed until independent scientific studies are completed and regional consensus is reached based on sound evidence.
In private correspondence, Dr. Eke has reiterated that this remains the Forum’s stance. But in today’s political climate—where contracts are quietly signed while public scrutiny is avoided—a private reassurance is no longer enough.
It is imperative that Dr. Eke publicly and unequivocally reaffirm the Forum’s moratorium. Failure to do so risks allowing confusion, mistrust, and corporate opportunism to take root across the region.
What’s Really Driving the Narrative?
The Cook Islands’ proposed Institute of Blue Ocean Sustainability and Science (IBOSS), announced during the anniversary celebrations, has been pitched as a forward-thinking initiative. However, in the context of the Cook Islands’ known advocacy for seabed mining, there are valid questions to ask:
- Will IBOSS be truly independent, or will it become a vehicle to lend scientific legitimacy to seabed extraction under the guise of sustainability?
- Is this part of a larger strategy to fast-track mining while distracting the public with talk of “resilience” and “blue economy” ideals?
- And was Tonga’s involvement in the celebrations used—intentionally or not—to lend regional weight to a mining agenda already in motion?
Contradicting the Faith We Claim
There is also a moral contradiction that must be addressed.
As Pacific peoples, we proudly claim our deep Christian faith. Our national mottos, opening prayers, and regional declarations frequently invoke God, values of stewardship, and the sacredness of creation. But what does it say about our leadership when decisions are made that endanger the very ocean we describe as a gift from God?
For many in the Pacific, the ocean is not just an economic resource—it is a temple. It is where we pray, fish, bury our dead, teach our children, and trace our ancestral paths. To mine it for short-term profit is not just a political act—it is a spiritual betrayal.
If our leaders claim Christian values, they must act accordingly—not just in church services or ceremonies, but in the hard decisions that affect the lives of future generations. Otherwise, they risk turning faith into a slogan, and stewardship into lip service.
A Window Closing Fast
Industry stakeholders, sensing momentum after the recent Executive Order by the U.S. President allowing seabed mining in U.S. territories, are now targeting Pacific states and institutions. The Seabed Authority is under increasing pressure to act, and DSM proponents are seeking weak regulatory points within the region to exploit.
This is a high-stakes moment. And it’s why the role of the Pacific Islands Forum Chair cannot be symbolic. It must be substantive and unyielding in defense of the region’s long-term interests.
Celebrations Should Not Conceal Controversy
The 60th anniversary of self-governance in the Cook Islands is a moment of pride. But it must not be used as cover for decisions that contradict the very values of sovereignty, sustainability, and regional integrity that such celebrations are meant to honor.
Dr. Eke, in his dual role as Prime Minister of Tonga and Chair of the PIF, now stands at a crossroads. He can choose to lead with clarity and courage, reaffirming the Forum’s precautionary pause and committing Tonga to a transparent review of its seabed mining commitments. Or he can remain silent, and allow corporate interests to define the Pacific’s future beneath the waves.
The people of the Pacific—watching from villages, atolls, and coastlines—deserve more than silence. They deserve leadership guided by truth, courage, and faith that is lived, not merely spoken.
Melino Maka is Chair of the Huelo Matamoana Trust in Tonga and a political and economic commentator on Pacific regional affairs, sovereignty, and development.
