Cook Islands-China deal stirs New Zealand tensions
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The news: New Zealand said it was “blindsided” as Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown prepares to this week sign a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China, covering trade, tourism, renewable energy, infrastructure and deep-sea mining.
The context: New Zealand, which has a “free association” agreement with the Cook Islands providing budget support and commitments to defend its former colony, had repeatedly sought consultation but says it has not received a proper response.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told local media the government was “blindsided” by the move and called on the Cook Islands to share the details of the agreement with New Zealand authorities.
Brown responded that “there is no need for New Zealand to be in the room” since the deal with China does not involve security or policing, so does not need a sign off from its neighbour and ally.
The agreement with China reportedly involves a partnership in national development including infrastructure, trade and the economy, but the details remain unclear.
New Zealand has grown more wary of China’s expanding influence in the Pacific and its possible risks to national security.
Over the past few years, Australia, New Zealand and the US have sought to counter China’s expanding strategic and diplomatic influence by securing agreements with nations like Tuvalu, Nauru and Papua New Guinea to reinforce their role as the region’s main security partners.
The scene follows recent tensions over a scrapped proposal to introduce Cook Islands passports. Cook Islanders hold New Zealand passports, and Wellington would only back the plan if the South Pacific nation opted for full independence and its citizens relinquished their New Zealand passports.
What they said: “After this, people will be scratching their heads and asking what are all these other agreements worth?” Mihai Sora, director of the Lowy Institute’s Pacific Islands Program, told the FT.
At a press conference Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand expected transparency and consultation with the Cook Islands.
"Under our constitutional arrangements, we expect, you know, matters of defence and security to be transparently discussed between partners. That's all we're asking for here," Luxon said.
The sources: Financial Times, Reuters
