Ambassador Jared Novelly made the comments in an exclusive interview with Cook Islands News following the announcement of a multi-million-dollar funding pledge to upgrade the Omoka port in Penrhyn, a former American military base.

The United States and New Zealand intend to co-fund the total NZ$101 million project. The US will work with Congress to contribute US$50 million (approximately NZ$84 million), while New Zealand will contribute NZ$17.5 million (approximately US$10 million).

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the project in Palau this week, on the margins of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

PM Brown described the port as a “lifeline” for the northern group island, noting that the upgrade would allow for safer landings, better access to services and stronger connections between the Pa Enua and the rest of the world.

US Deputy Secretary of State Landau stated that the project builds on the Critical Minerals Framework signed earlier this year. The framework establishes a structure for joint research, exploration, investment facilitation, processing and supply chain development for critical minerals and rare earths, alongside deep-sea mineral cooperation.

However local environmental group, Te Ipukarea Society, has questioned the motives behind the funding.

“For our Government to say no decision to mine has been made, you would need to ask why then are they accepting USD50 million from the US to build on the Critical Minerals Framework they have signed with the United States?” the group stated.

“We would hope the full text of this funding agreement will be made publicly available, so we can see what else the United States may be getting in return for this investment.”

Ambassador Novelly, who previously emphasised the importance of establishing mutually beneficial relationships, noted that the Penrhyn port project offers numerous advantages for the United States.

While acknowledging that they “can’t ignore the benefit of critical minerals, if that moves forward,” he pointed to safety and security of the region as major priorities.

“In terms of the safety and security and prosperity in the Pacific – the Coast Guard is in the Pacific, the French Navy is in the Pacific, our Navy is in the Pacific – and there are nefarious players, both in terms of illegal fishing and terrorism, that it is important to have friendly ports where we can provision from and help our Pacific Island friends to combat those bad actors that are out there,” Novelly said.

“In terms of critical minerals, any port’s going to help, but it’s probably too early to say exactly how much it will help.”

Novelly called the project a “definitely a win-win” for both nations, emphasising that the local population stands to gain significantly.

“Whether it be domestic fishing for the Cook Islands or combating the illegal fishing and the narco-terrorism,” he said. “The illegal fishing activity, which is very serious and something that the US has been trying to take steps to protect our Pacific Island partners on, this is going to help.”

“This is not just about critical minerals.”

The partnership draws on a historical relationship that dates back more than 80 years to World War II, when American military personnel constructed Penrhyn’s initial port facilities and airstrip, establishing the remote atoll as a strategic wartime base.

Vaine Wichman, the newly elected MP for Penrhyn, hailed the announcement as a landmark investment and a significant vote of confidence in the island’s future.

“The port is our lifeline, and upgrading it will secure connectivity, strengthen supply chains, and create new opportunities for economic development,” Wichman said.

“Over 80 years after the wartime presence of U.S. forces in Penrhyn, this investment is both historically symbolic and economically transformative. Penrhyn was once part of the Pacific’s strategic defence network, and today this partnership reaffirms this.”

Novelly, who presented his credentials as US Ambassador to the Cook Islands in August, noted that initial discussions surrounding Penrhyn port began over a year ago, predating his appointment.

“I know that the Cook Islands has been asking for quite some time. I believe it’s more than a year. I don’t know how many years but I know that the Cook Islands has selected this as a project that they wanted to have worked on for quite some time,” he said.

“I’m glad that it’s come to fruition now and I’m glad for the small part that I played in it.”