CK
Stories (5)
Cook Islands – New Zealand Declaration on Defence and Security - Parliament Ministerial Statement - Office of the Prime Minister Cook Islands
Summary: - The Cook Islands government announces a ministerial statement on the Cook Islands–New Zealand Declaration on Defence and Security, framing it within the country’s international standing, security cooperation, and fiscal stewardship. - The Cook Islands is a self-governing state with full sovereignty over laws, development priorities, and budget, and it engages with the international community as an independent actor. - The free association with New Zealand is value
2026-05-25Winston Peters signs defence and security declaration with Cook Islands PM Mark Brown | RNZ News
New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a defence and security declaration to formalize and clarify their deepened relationship. Key points: - NZ will resume about NZ$29.8 million in annual funding to the Cook Islands, restored after a two-year pause. - The declaration sets out a shared understanding of defence and security ties, reaffirming NZ as the primary defence and security partner. - The Cook Islands retains internal sovereignty and can pursue its own foreign policy,
2026-05-25Cook Islands and NZ talking again with clarity on path forward | RNZ News
New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a defence and security declaration in Rarotonga, aiming to restore clearer, more stable relations after a period of strain. The agreement emphasizes that their interests are interconnected and confirms New Zealand as the Cook Islands’ primary defence and security partner in an exclusive relationship. It follows tensions from the Cook Islands’ 2022 China pact and the resulting funding pause from New Zealand, which will now be resumed at
2026-05-25PM: Cook Islands governs its own affairs, reaffirms sovereignty in new security declaration with NZ - Cook Islands News
Summary: - The Cook Islands asserts it governs its own affairs and acts as a sovereign state in international relations. - A new Cook Islands–New Zealand Declaration on Defence and Security strengthens NZ as the Cook Islands’ primary defense and security partner. - The pact aims to combat transnational crime and mends frictions in NZ–Cook Islands relations, with NZ aid and funding restored (roughly $30 million). - Prime Minister Mark Brown emphasizes that the agreement is no
2026-05-25New Zealand pressed Cook Islands for months over China deals, OIA documents reveal | RNZ News
Summary: - New Zealand and the Cook Islands are in a growing diplomatic rift over Cook Islands’ deals with China, notably a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). - NZ sought for eight months to see the Cook Islands’ Beijing agreements, arguing NZ should be consulted under their free association arrangements. - NZ halted NZ$18.2 million in funding and warned that elements of its development programme could be undermined by the Cook Islands-China agreements. - Official doc
2026-05-25