NZ Leaders Skip Cook Islands Anniversary Event Concerned With Beijing Deals

The New Zealand government has also paused funding to the Pacific nation.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Stephen Brown delivers a statement during the high level segment on day three of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference at Baku, Azerbaijan on Nov. 13, 2024. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

When the Cook Islands celebrated 50 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand, former Prime Minister John Key was a guest of honour.

A decade later not only will his successor, Christopher Luxon, not be attending the Islands’ 60th Constitution Day, but neither will New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

It’s a very obvious and very public message to Cook Islands leaders, and in particular Prime Minister Mark Brown, that New Zealand is very concerned about burgeoning ties between Rarotonga and Beijing.

Under the NZ-Cook Islands “free association” agreement, the Cook Islands governs its own affairs, but Wellington provides assistance, including in foreign affairs and defence.

So when the Cook Islands’ Brown failed to warn Peters of his intention to visit Beijing in February this year, while inking multiple deals with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Premier Li Qiang but refused to reveal their contents.

New Zealand’s reaction was swift: it suspended $18.2 million of development assistance, including $10 million that would have been used for “core sector support”—things like health, education, and tourism marketing.

Peters has steadfastly refused to comment since the payment was stopped, other than to confirm that it was due to a lack of consultation regarding a partnership agreement and other deals signed with Beijing.

But far from making the Cooks reconsider the wisdom of dealing with the CCP, Brown has only dug in further, telling Parliament that, “The relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is defined by partnership, not paternalism,” and “Decisions to unilaterally pause core sector support reflect a patronising approach.”

And he pointed out that he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China, which was a “double standard.”

Officials Working Behind the Scenes

According to chatter in diplomatic circles, officials from both countries have been trying to repair the relationship, but this will likely stall due to the opposing stances on Beijing.

Clearly détente has yet to be reached, as New Zealand’s representative to the Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary will be Dame Cindy Kiro, New Zealand’s governor-general.

Cook Islands media are making much of the fact that a head of state, rather than an elected official, is coming.

Asked about his absence, Luxon said Cook Islands people had “added a lot to New Zealand, we are really proud of them and we’re very supportive of [them].

“But we’ve got an issue with the Cook Islands government which I’ve been very open and transparent about, and I think people understand that.”

But Cook Islands Green MP Teanau Tuiono says the New Zealand government’s decision is disappointing and urges both sides to enter into dialogue.

“The elephant in the room that everybody knows about is that China is growing, and growing in prominence within the Pacific as well,” Tuiono says. “With that support [from New Zealand] disappearing, folks around the Pacific, they’re looking to other development partners, and China is the one who is first in line.”

However, the Cook opposition has criticised the local prime minister for creating the difficulties.

“It is very disappointing for the prime minister not actually apologising to the Government of New Zealand,” said Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather, in comments obtained by the Cook Islands News.

“I heard that the Prime Minister Luxon and Winston Peters are not coming and because of the problem that’s been created by our prime minister.”