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Forum hosts, the Cook Islands, gifted a seabed nodule to dignitaries and leaders as a gesture at the leaders meeting. Photo: Supplied
The Cook Islands minister of marine resources says it's unfair for the opposition party to say money is the motivator behind government interests in seabed mining.
Leader of the opposition Tina Browne has accused the Cook Islands government of caring more about money over protecting the environment.
The Cook Islands hopes to lead a talanoa on seabed mining during the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga later this year, as the issue has divided the pacific.
Foreign affairs minister and minister of marine resources, Tingika Elikana was recently in Wellington where he met with New Zealand's foreign affairs minister Winston Peters.