Robert Patman: International Relations Expert says Luxon will "set the record straight" over Cook Islands dispute

An International Relations Expert says the Prime Minister will set the record straight in China regarding the pause on Cook Island aid funding. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has put millions of dollars in developmental aid on hold - saying trust...

New Zealand stops funding to Cook Islands in row over China

New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said on Thursday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally-linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...

Luxon plays down Cook Islands funding pause

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has down-played a pause of nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China. Luxon spoke to media in Shanghai hours after it became public that New Zealand paused $18.2...

China could be major beneficiary of New Zealand's move on Cook Islands - security expert

The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...

New Zealand cuts funding for Cook Islands in response to China deals

New Zealand has cut millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands in retaliation over the Pacific nation’s deepening ties with China. Relations between Wellington and Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, which is 1,800 miles northeast of New...

New Zealand freezes Cook Islands financial aid over China ties

New Zealand has announced it halted millions of dollars in financial aid to the Cook Islands. The move comes amid Wellington's growing concern over the island group's deepening ties with China. In a statement on Thursday, the government said about...

New Zealand halts funding to former colony the Cook Islands over China deals

New Zealand has halted funding to the Cook Islands over what it considers the small Pacific nation's deepening ties with China. While the Cook Islands is a self-governing country, New Zealand remains its largest funder, and has paused $16.9...

New Zealand Cuts Millions in Funding to Cook Islands Over China Ties

New Zealand has cut millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands due to the island group’s deepening ties with China. A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on June 18 that New Zealand had decided...

No need to give China heads-up over decision to halt Cook Islands funding - Luxon

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government saw no need to give China a heads-up over its decision to halt funding for the Cook Islands. Addressing reporters in Shanghai, Luxon made the comments hours after confirmation New Zealand had...

Jason Walls: Newstalk ZB political editor on New Zealand halting Cook Islands funding after China agreements

The Foreign Minister's pushing back on suggestions our geopolitical stoush with the Cook Islands will impact our relationship with China. Winston Peters this morning confirmed the Government's halted development aid to the Cooks, with his Ministry...

New Zealand halts millions of funds to Cook Islands over its China ties

Freeze emerges as NZ's leader visits China News of the 18.2 million New Zealand dollar ($11 million) funding halt Thursday only emerged when a Cook Islands news outlet saw its brief mention in a government budget document. It's likely to prove...

Cook Islands is Chair for Pacific Region’s GEF ISLANDS Project

Halatoa Fua. Photo: Supplied/20102821 The Cook Islands is the chair for the Pacific Region’s Project Steering Committee (PSC), which has the largest portion of the GEF ISLAND fund. GEF ISLANDS is the largest singular project by the Global...

New Zealand Freezes Aid to Cook Islands Over China Pact, Demands Restoration of Trust

New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands following revelations of sweeping agreements between the Pacific nation and China deals that Wellington says it was never consulted on. The NZ$18.2 million (US$11 million)...

Minister supports immersion of Cook Islands Maori to keep language alive

Minister Tingika Elikana in Parliament on May 16, 2024. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU/ 24051610 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), Tingika Elikana, has expressed his support for the House of Ariki's recommendation to introduce full...

Christopher Luxon raises Cook Islands impasse with Chinese Premier, disagrees with Nato boss that China in league with Russia to undermine West

Those remarks appear to echo the words of Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who this month urged the Pacific to stand together and stressed the importance of the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum in conducting Pacific affairs. “As we face...

NZ pauses nearly $20m in funding to Cook Islands after China agreements

New Zealand has paused nearly $20 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China. New Zealand raised concerns in February, after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown travelled to China, prior to signing...

NZ pauses funding to Cook Islands after China agreements

New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China. New Zealand raised concerns in February, after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown travelled to China, prior to signing its Comprehensive Strategic...

Parliamentary rules clash over Cook Islands National Awards Bill

Opposition leader Tina Browne. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU / 2561620 Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki: Cook Islands National Awards Bill 2025 is currently in Parliament and due for a second reading with a Certificate of Urgency. If passed the Act will establish...

Luxon meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid Cook Island controversy

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands in front of photographers. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has held talks with one of the world's most powerful people - Chinese...

Stars align for unity: Matariki unites NZ and Cook Islands amidst tensions

A little performance at the Matariki celebration based on the importance of Matariki. TEITIMOANA TAIRI/25061816 Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions, the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga hosted the annual Matariki celebration, emphasising...