US EditionNew Zealand Halts Millions of Funds to Cook Islands over Its China Ties
- New Zealand has halted NZ$18.2 million in budget support for the Cook Islands following the latter’s recent strategic agreements with China.
- The suspension followed the Cook Islands' failure to consult New Zealand about the China deals, which sparked concern over the impact on their special free association relationship.
- These agreements, covering infrastructure, tourism, technology, and deep-sea mining, triggered protests in the Cook Islands and heightened regional worries about China’s growing Pacific presence.
- A New Zealand spokesperson emphasized that continued financial support depends on a strong and trustworthy partnership, and expressed hope that the Cook Islands will promptly take tangible actions to rebuild confidence.
- The Cook Islands expressed determination to address concerns urgently and emphasized valuing New Zealand's development assistance, while ongoing dialogue aims to rebuild the relationship.
55 Articles
55 Articles
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 earlier this month to suspend payment of NZ$18.2 million ($11 million) in development funding for 2025–26 as this “relies on a high trust bilateral relationship.” The people of the Cook Islands, a self-…
New Zealand halts aid to Cook Islands over China deals
WELLINGTON — New Zealand’s government halted aid to close partner the Cook Islands on Thursday because of a row over agreements the Pacific island nation struck with China. New Zealand “paused” the payments and would not resume them until the Cook Islands took “concrete steps” to restore trust, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement. The self-governing Cook Islands, a country of 17,000 people, has a “free association…
New Zealand halts millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over deals with China
The self-governing Cook Islands, a country of 17,000 people, has a "free association" relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand, which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence
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