Cook Islands govt urged to act as New Zealand funding freeze drags on

Opposition leader Tina Browne says the Cook Islands government must now outline a clear pathway to resolve the pause in New Zealand funding following the recent "informal" meeting between Prime Minister Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

The meeting between Brown and Peters took place in Auckland last week during the Prime Minister's visit to Aotearoa, marking the first engagement between the two leaders after 18 months of diplomatic strain between the two countries.

Cook Islands Democratic Party leader Browne said while she welcomed the meeting, the focus must now move to tangible outcomes for the Cook Islands.

"I welcome the meeting, but let's not oversell it. A single informal meeting and a photo won't resolve an 18-month issue," Browne told Cook Islands News.

"This conversation was overdue, and the joint statement itself makes clear the hard issues are still unresolved, and that talks will continue in the weeks ahead."

Brown met Peters at his private residence, where both delegations discussed the challenges affecting the Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship.

Tensions between the two nations began in late 2024 and escalated after the Cook Islands signed a comprehensive strategic partnership and other agreements with China in February last year.

The move raised concerns in Wellington over what it described as a lack of consultation on the agreement.

New Zealand subsequently suspended approximately $29.8 million in funding to the Cook Islands.

Opposition leader Tina Browne says the government must now set out a clear plan to resolve the pause in New Zealand funding. Photo/Facebook

A joint statement issued following the informal meeting confirmed that both sides discussed "the fundamental challenges facing the New Zealand-Cook Islands relationship over the past 18 months and possible ways forward."

Political dialogue between the two countries is expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Browne said the Prime Minister must now focus on restoring trust and resolving the funding issue.

"My advice to the Prime Minister is simple: treat this as a starting point, not a result. The focus now has to move from headlines to outcomes," she said.

"That means rebuilding trust, agreeing on a proper consultation process on major issues, and moving quickly to formal leader-to-leader engagement."

She said the funding pause has already affected government finances.

The meeting between Brown and Peters comes amid ongoing tensions following the Cook Islands’ agreements with China. Photo/Cook Islands govt

"It also means setting out a clear pathway to resolve the funding pause, because that has already put real pressure on government finances. Our people deserve more than confirmation that a meeting happened. They deserve clarity on what this meeting will actually deliver for the Cook Islands."

Browne added that strengthening the Cook Islands' independence should not come at the cost of weakening its relationship with New Zealand.

"I have always believed the Cook Islands can become more self-reliant without weakening a relationship that matters deeply to our people. Those are not competing ideas," she said. "What the country needs now is steady leadership, more transparency and a lot less confusion."

Mark Brown: 'We move forward with confidence'

Brown has described his recent visit to New Zealand as successful, highlighting engagements with Cook Islands communities and partners across Wellington, Auckland and Ngāruawāhia.

Reflecting on his meeting with Peters, Brown said the discussion reflected the importance of maintaining engagement between the two countries.

"Our people remain at the centre of everything we do. Whether at home or abroad, we are one nation, connected through our language, our culture, and our shared responsibility to one another," he said.

Prime Minister Mark Brown says his visit to New Zealand focused on strengthening ties with Cook Islands communities and partners. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

"This visit has reaffirmed that connection, and we move forward with confidence in what we can achieve together."

According to the statement, political dialogue between the two countries will continue in the coming weeks to determine how these matters can be progressed.

Brown also said that the visit focused on strengthening ties with Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and advancing key partnerships.

"This visit has been about our people, our partnerships, and our future," Brown said.

"We have connected directly with our communities, listened to their priorities, and taken practical steps to ensure they remain supported and engaged as part of our nation."

Listen to Mark Brown addressing the Cook Islands diaspora in Auckland.

Staying connected

During the visit, Brown announced several initiatives aimed at supporting Cook Islanders abroad, including expanded student support, new internship pathways into government, improved access to public services and progress toward delivering Cook Islands status stamp services in New Zealand.

"These are practical actions that respond to what our people have asked for. It is about making it easier to stay connected, to access services, and to contribute back home."

Brown also held discussions with the Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand (CIDANZ) to formalise a partnership aimed at improving support for Cook Islanders living overseas.

In Wellington, he reaffirmed the importance of the Cook Islands' relationship with New Zealand.

"This is a relationship we value deeply. It continues to evolve as both countries grow and as our expectations of partnership mature," Brown said.

As part of the programme, Brown also attended the 130th Tūrangawaewae Royal Regatta at the invitation of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te pō, where he was hosted at Tūrangawaewae Marae alongside iwi leaders and partners from across New Zealand.

This story was first published in the Cook Islands News.