New Zealand Must ‘Reset’ Cook Islands Ties

New Zealand must ‘reset’ Cook Islands ties after China pact, foreign minister says
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday his country must “reset” its relationship with the Cook Islands government after its Pacific neighbour signed agreements with China without consultation.
Will New Zealand invade the Cook Islands to stop China?
New Zealand’s leading newspaper, the New Zealand Herald, screamed out this headline on 10 February: “Should New Zealand invade the Cook Islands?” The government and the mainstream media have gone ballistic (thankfully not literally just yet) over the move by the small Pacific nation to sign a strategic partnership with China in Beijing.
Cook Islands signs strategic agreement with China
The tiny Pacific nation’s partnership agreement with China was signed amid a furious diplomatic row with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler.
Cook Islands deal with China on economy, seabed mining spurs protest
A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific island nation's government showed.
Cook Islands, China Pact Sparks Diplomatic Tensions with New Zealand
The Cook Islands has announced a controversial deal with China focusing on seabed mineral cooperation, stirring tensions with New Zealand—its key ally. The pact, lacking concrete security initiatives,
New Zealand Calls for 'Reset' in Relations with Cook Islands Over China Deal
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has called for a reset in government-to-government relations with the Cook Islands after its Pacific neighbor signed agreements with China without consultation.
China, Cook Islands sign action plan for partnership deal
China and the Cook Islands signed an action plan last week for a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, giving further details about a deal expected to raise concerns in New Zealand.
New Zealand to seek Cook Islands reset over China pact
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has used a policy address to remind the Cook Islands of their responsibilities under a longstanding pact with New Zealand.
The Diplomat2d
Cook Islands’ China Shock: A ‘Frog in the Pot’ Moment for Pacific Security
Cook Islands deal has implications for Pacific security, but particularly for New Zealand, the United States, and Australia.
Los Angeles Times4d
Cook Islands gives some detail of its China deal that has upset close partner New Zealand
The public quarrel between New Zealand and Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — was a victory for Beijing’s efforts to woo Pacific leaders and a blow ...
Cook Islands PM signs agreement with Beijing
A comprehensive partnership deal between the Cook Islands and China has been signed in Harbin over the weekend.
Cook Islands signs partnership deal with China
The decision drew from New Zealand, which is increasingly cautious about China's growing presence in the Pacific region.
Associated Press12d
China says a visit by Cook Islands’ prime minister isn’t meant to antagonize others in South Pacific
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks during a plenary ...