Cook Islands China deal riles allies

Cook Islands China deal riles allies as West's grip loosens
The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty and his signing of a range of deals with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which it is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern.
Cook Islands PM survives no-confidence vote over China pact
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown survived on Wednesday a vote of no confidence in parliament brought by the opposition over deals he struck with China that strained relations with New Zealand. Members of parliament voted 13-9 to defeat the motion introduced by the Cook Islands United Party.
Pacific News Minute: Cook Islands PM faces political fallout amid dealings with China
The prime minister of the Cook Islands could be facing a no-confidence vote this week. It's part of the continuing political fallout from a recent agreement the government reached with China. HPRʻs Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Overcomes No-Confidence Vote Amid China Deal Concerns
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown survived a no-confidence vote instigated by opposition due to his deals with China, which worried New Zealand. The vote was 13-9 against the motion. Opposition criticized Brown's China agreements as potentially jeopardizing existing ties with New Zealand,
No-confidence motion against Cook Islands PM Brown moves forward
It comes after Brown's controversial move to have a Cook Islands passport and refusing to fully consult with Wellington before signing a strategic cooperation deals with China.
What is the Cook Islands deal with China and what has worried NZ?
Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour.
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.
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.
New Zealand must ‘reset’ Cook Islands ties after China pact, foreign minister says
(Reuters) - 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.
Cook Islands PM beats no-confidence vote, slams New Zealand
The Cook Islands' prime minister survived a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, blaming "misinformation" from former colonial ruler New Zealand for destabilising his Pacific country.
Cook Islands gives some detail of its China deal that has upset close partner New Zealand
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown speaks during a ...
Cook Islands crisis: Mark Brown writes to Christopher Luxon
The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as the crisis in the ...