Face-to-face diplomacy is solution to New Zealand and Cook Islands stand-off

Former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Henry Puna, is urging New Zealand and the Cook Islands to engage in respectful, face-to-face dialogue, following recent tensions over China and the suspension of aid.

As the Cook Islands prepares to mark 60 years of self-government on Tuesday (New Zealand time), Puna is defending his country’s sovereign right to choose international partners amid growing tensions with New Zealand over recent agreements signed with China.

In an in-depth interview with Pacific Mornings host William Terite, Puna, who is now the President of the ruling Cook Islands Party, emphasises the diplomatic independence that was established in the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration between New Zealand and the island nation.

“Maybe times have changed, where geopolitics has become important, maybe New Zealand's viewpoint has changed,” Puna says.

“But for me, those are issues that can easily be resolved by sitting down face-to-face and having a conversation.”

His comments follow New Zealand’s announcement earlier this year to suspend $18.2 million in aid to the Cook Islands, including $10 million for core sectors.

Listen to Part One of an extensive interview with Henry Puna below.

This aid suspension was a reaction to the Cook Islands signing a partnership agreement with China earlier this year, which New Zealand says wasn’t fully consulted on.

Puna, who was prime minister from 2010 to 2020, dismisses the rhetoric that the Cook Islands would give up its relationship with New Zealand to pursue one with China.

He says that the Cook Islands would never cut itself off from New Zealand to stand independently.

Henry Puna addresses Cook Islands Party after he is elected President in July 2025. Photo/Cook Islands Party Facebook

“We’ve been friends with China since 1991. So it’s nothing new. We’ve been friends with other countries like Turkey, the EU and Spain.”

Despite confirming the Cook Islands’ commitment to New Zealand, he criticised its public handling of the issue, which he says has unnecessarily inflamed tensions.

“Particularly with the suspension of the aid from Wellington. It's like being, as they say, whipped or beaten with a broomstick because we've been misbehaving.”

Puna, who up until recently was the Secretary General for the Pacific Islands Forum, dismisses suggestions he has been brought back into the Cook Islands Party to address the political fallout.

“I haven’t been brought in as damage control. I was brought in to unify the party, you know, to bring it back to life, and to be prepared for the next election this year.”

He denies that the party, which regained power under Puna in 2010 and has retained it since then, has lost its way under Mark Brown.

During 50th anniversary celebrations in 2015, then Cook Islands PM Puna (left) hosted New Zealand delegation led by then PM John Key (centre). Photo/Cook Islands government..

“There is always a tendency when the government is so busy with so many different items that the base becomes neglected a little bit.

“So it's bringing back that engagement between the party and the executive to ensure that that connection is revived and strengthened.”

One of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the Brown government is its push for deep sea mining, a continuation of Puna’s policies while in office.

Despite the Cook Islands only being in the exploration phase, Brown has described seabed mining as transformational for the island nation.

Puna defends the government’s interest in exploring the potential revenue from its seafloor, citing a leader’s obligation to invest in opportunities that advance the country economically.

He points to the island nation’s commitments to renewable energy and green image.

NZ Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro (left) is welcomed to the Cook Islands for 60th anniversary celebrations, with husband Dr Richard Davies. Photo/NZ MFAT Facebook.

As the Cook Islands marks 60 years of self-governance, the absence of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has raised eyebrows about the current state of relations between the two countries.

Puna was the Cook Islands' Prime Minister in August 2015, when the then-New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, led a delegation that included Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and prominent members of the New Zealand–based Cook Islands community to observe the island nation's 50th anniversary celebrations.

In 2025, New Zealand will be officially represented by the Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.

Puna is optimistic and says the relations are repairable, denying the rhetoric that the Cook Islands will go cap in hand to China.

As Cook Islanders head to the voting booth next year, Puna says he has no plans to run for prime minister.

“I'm quite happy and okay to do my best in my role in supporting the prime minister and our team.”